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Hi all - I'm totally hopeless at taking 'people' shots, so thought I'd practice on my other half (poor bugger). Anyhow - taken in the lounge room, and converted to B&W and 'blasted' I was happy with them - one has a vine leaf, because although I really like the shot, Damian was not happy with me posting it - hence, VINE LEAF (I don't think he would have minded except that he has now met some of you, and probably couldn't have looked Manta & Kinetic in the eye )

Any comments at all would be welcome

Rel

Interesting work Rel, please congratulate Damian on being a very brave and engaging model. I'm certianly impressed you got him in the nude, it would NEVER happen in my house, even if I promised a whole FIG TREE, rathen then just a well placed leaf (or three)

PP wise, I think these three could all be boosted contrast wise, the blacks where quiet grey on my LCD, I'd like to see them darker. And if you can get him in the studio again, I'd suggest more subtle lighting... get some shadows... the play of light and dark should add a more sensueus (spelling?).

Overall I think its a great start, with both you and stubbsy taking on the human form, I can't wait to see what further experimentation will bring!

And there I was expecting frogs

The 2nd shot is the pick IMHO. Nicely done

Thanks Craig & Mark

Craig - you were right, I've reposted with a slightly darker version - didn't realise on my monitor how light they were. You have no idea how hard it was to get him to do this ...... you'd think I was posting full frontal nudity well, I was going to, but thought better of it (even if it was arty-farty). I'll try to get him to do it again, but I'm not sure if he will But at least I had a go - now I know I should stick with insects & frogs

Mark - no tadpole jokes !!! Glad you liked - he prefered the second one as well .. must be a boy thing

Cheers
Rel

Rel - The darkens shots are a great improvement... and hey, let him know from me he's got big balls to lay it all out there... (not everyone's comfortable infront of the camera, let alone nude!). So big congrats to him and you (I'm sure you were very persuasive)... as I said, I'd really like you to revisit it with softer lighting and more shadows...

I like what you're doing but I've honestly gotta say that I really don't like how the body is fading into the white.

I think you need to have some level of separation there otherwise it just looks more posterised than a good solid black and white image.

Also, you don't need that maple leaf... we're all responsible (Oh! A maple leaf! Hahahahaha!) people here... maybe adults... who knows really...

Thanks guys This is way harder than insects !!!!!

Leigh - was playing with the idea that the body was blending, and just giving you the 'outline', but you are probably right Here is a softer image, but probably toooo soft ..... but I'm way too tired to play anymore, so will have another go tomorrow. But I promise, I won't post it, I'll just see what I can do.



Thanks again
Rel

very good series........ maybe we can get him to pose for a workshop shoot....... ':lol:'

Poor Damian!
He is so very good to you girl! And very brave too! I think I like the soft shot that you just posted the best, the white in the first few images was a little too bright!

This is going to make work very interesting......
Congratulations to both of you for your courage.

Thanks Bernie, K & Simon

Bernie - pretty sure the workshop idea will never happen had enough trouble in the privacy of our own home

K - I know he's good to me girl, but DON'T tell HIM that

Simon - are we brave? or just stupid??????

He's very brave to post like that, so much fuss over such a little thing I'll bet he's impressed by the size of the leaf you've used too I think I'd just need a gum leaf

Of the high key ones, I like the second how his shape is just an outline, different strokes for different folks I spose...

The background in the darker version would work for me but the "fold" halfway up the background seems to distract for me, maybe if the background was just falling from top to bottom without the "ridge" in the middle?...

Thanks Andrew - don't forget there are some gum trees with really LARGE leaves

I must admit I still like the stark contrast of the first series, but do like the softness of the second shot Unfortunately, the background is actually our couch covered in a couple of sheets, with natural light coming in from behind, and then boosted with the flash set on commander mode ....... the ridge is the seat part of the couch ...... bugger If I had any brains, I would have draped the sheet instead of letting it actually follow the lay of the seat .... but brains ???????

Maybe I'll have another go, or maybe I should leave 'people' shots to those who can actually do them ? But it was fun, I must admit.

Thanks again
Rel

Rel

These are all interesting, yet not quite there (as you know). DOn't give up - revisit with hubby's consent and try again. Each time you learn more - this is no different to looking for bugs - you learn by your mistakes and get better.

Hi Rel,

I really like your idea and compositions but I think they need more contrast with the white background.

Alex

Thanks Peter & Alex .... I'll keep trying, but promise not to post again until they are definitely better It's fun trying, but it's really annoying when you know what you want to achieve in your head, but can't get it to work out the way you want.

The joy of not knowing what you are doing

Thanks again guys
Rel

Rel
I just ran one of the pics through the following porocess and it looked pretty good. Select white background with magic wand. Feather selection about 12 pixels. EDIT/FILL selection with pattern of your choice, (I used pavers) and lighten or darken to suit using levels.