Editorial Wide Angle Shot

[DocSkalski]

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture f/4.0
Focal Length 28 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

So I feel like I captured some great shots during a TFP editorial style shoot this weekend, but this picture really pissed the model off, leading her to call me an untalented amateur who has no idea what he's doing and made her look fat which she's not. I agree this is not her best angle but I really like the shot overall, I feel like it has a lot of impact. What am I missing? Am I just an idiot?

[Doug Sundseth]

The model's leg position is awkward and unflattering. Her arm position is natural for an escalator, but not very flattering either. Her torso is straight on to the camera and set in the center of the frame, which doesn't work for me here. The frame is tilted to the right enough to be distracting. The color balance is quite cool, which is exacerbated by the cool tones of the model's dress.

I have no idea how skilled you are, since this is only a single shot, but I'm afraid I don't like this photo much.

[Sharna]

I agree with Doug here though I'm not a portrait photographer I've been dabbling lately.

The model is not fat but the angle you captured her makes her look uncomfortable. Especially her legs.

Also, I would never shoot a model straight on this way as it is unflattering. I wouldn't say you had no talent because you obviously took this picture and it isn't the worst I have ever seen. So, well done there.

[DocSkalski]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

The model's leg position is awkward and unflattering. Her arm position is natural for an escalator, but not very flattering either. Her torso is straight on to the camera and set in the center of the frame, which doesn't work for me here. The frame is tilted to the right enough to be distracting. The color balance is quite cool, which is exacerbated by the cool tones of the model's dress.

I have no idea how skilled you are, since this is only a single shot, but I'm afraid I don't like this photo much.

Thank you very much for the feedback. I tend to edit cold with fashion to give a urban or corporate feel but yes I guess it doesn't work very well here. I guess when I edited the image I wasn't concerned with making her look flattering I was trying to convey a message but I understand why it is unflattering with your and the other commenters feedback so I guess I need to be more careful with that. Here are some other photos from the shoot if you want to take a look and tell me if there are some common themes in the photos I decided to edit first that really erk-ed her.
Editorial Shoot Skalski Photos

[Doug Sundseth]

I think the shot you showed here was perhaps the weakest of the shoot. Most of the shots, while not really my style, were very professionally done. They conveyed a consistent mood and edginess and presented the model very well.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry too much about the shot here. You were trying something new and it failed (for me, anyway). FWIW, I do that all the time. And sometimes I like the shot better than every other person that sees it too.

[kelleyrie]

I also think this shot was the weakest, the others look great to me. I think this one could have been better if she were leaning into the rail or something..but I know nothing of editorial photography

[Bruce A]

I like the first shot on your blog the best. If she didn't have that ridiculous eye make up on in the other shots she would probably look 10 times nicer. The Amy Winehouse look is for Amy Winehouse IMO. She's also most likely another model on a huge ego trip - but why is anyone's guess

Oh, and as for the shot posted here - yeah, not your best.

[BigFuzzy]

A. I concur with everyone else. But considering the quality of the other shots from that day, I'd write it off as one of the "not great" ones we all have during a shoot.
B. Phuck her..seriously, she's that pissed off about ONE image? Or does she feel that way about others as well? I'd never work with her again (though it seems she may not want to work with you either).

All in all, it's a good set, I don't mind the make up, nor the cool feel to the images as i totally get what you were going for (I quite like urban stuff as well).


PS as I noted on your blog, if you want to do more work with models it might not be a great idea to bring this issue up online as other models might see it and be aprehensive of working with you if they think you may open them up to criticism publicly which your post in fact does. Just sayin'

Still, good work on the images, if you're happy who cares? Especially when shooting TFP.

[DocSkalski]

Thanks for the great feedback everyone!
Yes I agree no one likes public criticism, which is why I don't share my blog or other account information with models and I don't indicate model names or locations when I do want criticism of my images. If I were a model I wouldn't want people knowing I through an adolescent [female dog] fit over a few bad images either, lol. The thing i'm probably most upset about, which is why I wanted feedback, is not that these aren't my best work, but why they were "so bad" that I had to deal with her over something I did for free and even paid the MUA and traveled to meet her and hauled all of my 50lbs of gear around. I'm glad the group here doesn't think they're as bad as she did or i'd really feel like crap! hahaha

[britthuffman]

Its hardly a terrible shot. The best of the shoot, no, but its not something to get so upset about. I really like the first shot on your blog. However, after looking through the images you posted from the shoot I got the impression that she's not the best model. Her poses were sort of generic and boring and not that flatterning to her body shape. In average portrait work of course a photographer should be able to help the subject along in getting to good poses, but if editorial work is what your after you generally work with models who have at least some experience and training. There are elements you can control to improve the shot like others have mentioned, but ultimately I think I the biggest problem with this shot is her pose. Posting here and asking for input is a good way for you to learn from this less than great image. Doesn't sound like she is interested in any help to improve her work though.