Hat at the table

[infocus]

Hi I am looking for Critique on the pose of this shot. The hands..is there something i could have done to make them more interesting? Does her facial expression say anything in this? is the darkness to much of a contrast with the diagonal line of red in the background?

Thanks for looking.....




Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[SusanH1970]

I actually really like this! She's got a great expression - I love attitude, lol.

As for her hands, because they're in the foreground, they appear kind of big in proportion to her face and body. I'd have had her pull them in a bit closer to her body.

Usually I don't like so much saturation in a photo, but in this case, it works for me. I think it's cool.

[Benji]

Good focus and white balance! The lighting is very hard and not flattering to her IMHO. I assume the reason you lowered the main light was to get some light into her eyes, which was a good idea but it puts the catchlights too low. Next time raise the bill of the hat instead. This will permit the light to get into her eyes and will put proper catchlights in them as well. As already mentioned above her hands look large because they are too close to the camera. I would like to see more even lighting across the background. Because her left arm is drawn across her left breast it has squashed it and it looks deformed when compared to her right one. Lastly a stronger fill light will lighten up those deep dark shadows and allow us to investigate what is in them.

Benji

[wannabephotographer]

I like this very much. Very well composed shot. The lighting really works for me, the darkness and the deep red background works very well for what you were going for. The darkness focuses my eyes on the subject and she has a great expression for this shot. The hands are fine, maybe cross her arms a little more but that may hurt the balance of her position. I think if she wore a silver cross necklace that suspends from her neck, it would add even more.


Nice job.

[cherrygirl]

I like this. I actually get the feeling that you wanted harsh with the lights. I mean the feel of the photo is gritty and sexy. Nice job!

[irishmuth]

Originally Posted by cherrygirl

I actually get the feeling that you wanted harsh with the lights

I thought the same thing, and I think it works for this shot. It helps convey the attitude of the shot.

[Niresangwa]

Like it on many levels, but agree with the other comments that were made. When I look at it, I feel like her face is the fourth or fifth thing i notice after hat, hands, cleavage, awesome shock of blonde hair...and the last thing, which leads me onto a question for you...

...what is that backdrop you used, and where can I get one! Love it!

[infocus]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

I actually really like this! She's got a great expression - I love attitude, lol.

As for her hands, because they're in the foreground, they appear kind of big in proportion to her face and body. I'd have had her pull them in a bit closer to her body.

Usually I don't like so much saturation in a photo, but in this case, it works for me. I think it's cool.

Thanks for the comments.

Originally Posted by Benji

Good focus and white balance! The lighting is very hard and not flattering to her IMHO. I assume the reason you lowered the main light was to get some light into her eyes, which was a good idea but it puts the catchlights too low. Next time raise the bill of the hat instead. This will permit the light to get into her eyes and will put proper catchlights in them as well. As already mentioned above her hands look large because they are too close to the camera. I would like to see more even lighting across the background. Because her left arm is drawn across her left breast it has squashed it and it looks deformed when compared to her right one. Lastly a stronger fill light will lighten up those deep dark shadows and allow us to investigate what is in them.

Benji

Thanks Benji. I was actually going for those really deep shadows on this one. I hadnt noticed the deformed breast so good call on that one. Thanks for taking the time to look.

Originally Posted by wannabephotographer

I like this very much. Very well composed shot. The lighting really works for me, the darkness and the deep red background works very well for what you were going for. The darkness focuses my eyes on the subject and she has a great expression for this shot. The hands are fine, maybe cross her arms a little more but that may hurt the balance of her position. I think if she wore a silver cross necklace that suspends from her neck, it would add even more.


Nice job.

Thanks

Originally Posted by cherrygirl

I like this. I actually get the feeling that you wanted harsh with the lights. I mean the feel of the photo is gritty and sexy. Nice job!

Thanks

Originally Posted by irishmuth

I thought the same thing, and I think it works for this shot. It helps convey the attitude of the shot.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

Like it on many levels, but agree with the other comments that were made. When I look at it, I feel like her face is the fourth or fifth thing i notice after hat, hands, cleavage, awesome shock of blonde hair...and the last thing, which leads me onto a question for you...

...what is that backdrop you used, and where can I get one! Love it!

Than backdrop is just a swatch of fabric i got at Joann Fabrics. I tend to go there and just look around at what looks good. It is only 60"wide and 72" tall. Basically 2yds i get small ones for these tighter headshot type pics. Hope that helps.

[sk66]

I like the image.
I think the hands could have been placed differently, but they are not bad as is...maybe slightly awkward as they are not laying completely "naturally".

A couple of ideas for her hands...flat down on the table like she's in the middle of standing up, leaning forward and getting in your face (goes with the aggressive feel of the lighting). Or maybe she could be holding some playing cards or laying out a straight flush of hearts, etc. (goes with the hat and background/ attitude)