Which do you prefer ?
Discussion
Olivero said:
andy-xr said:
Also A&C, you havent asked for critique so I'll not offer any 
Give me your best shot
On the basis I've never photographed African/black skin, I can only go on impressions of what you've posted. I hear it's very tricky to shoot.
Lets take A/B - I like this shot more than C/D, the eyes hold me on this shot more than the other. I'm guessing you're heading for somewhere between a beauty and a fashion headshot, and that I'm not sure which would indicate this one hasnt quite hit it.
The hotspot on the shoulder on A, the gape between the fingers on the cheek, eyes slightly soft and the general darkness of the face compared to the rest of the shot makes me move around the frame. When I look at it, my focus is drawn to the shoulder first, it's position is closer to me and is brighter than everything else. The contrast of light/dark of the fingers is where I went next.
The alteration you've made adding in makeup brings out the face, but I'm not sure what the added colour on the forehead and general retouch/smoothing adds. Personally I'd run that by a MUA/stylist and see how they'd brush it, I dont know if you have that option or if you already have. There's a colour cast feel that I think has been picked up when you've altered levels and colour, it may have been if you've filtered it.
It'd be interesting to hear why you went that way and what purpose the shot serves.
andy-xr said:
Olivero said:
andy-xr said:
Also A&C, you havent asked for critique so I'll not offer any
Give me your best shotOn the basis I've never photographed African/black skin, I can only go on impressions of what you've posted. I hear it's very tricky to shoot.
Lets take A/B - I like this shot more than C/D, the eyes hold me on this shot more than the other. I'm guessing you're heading for somewhere between a beauty and a fashion headshot, and that I'm not sure which would indicate this one hasnt quite hit it.
The hotspot on the shoulder on A, the gape between the fingers on the cheek, eyes slightly soft and the general darkness of the face compared to the rest of the shot makes me move around the frame. When I look at it, my focus is drawn to the shoulder first, it's position is closer to me and is brighter than everything else. The contrast of light/dark of the fingers is where I went next.
The alteration you've made adding in makeup brings out the face, but I'm not sure what the added colour on the forehead and general retouch/smoothing adds. Personally I'd run that by a MUA/stylist and see how they'd brush it, I dont know if you have that option or if you already have. There's a colour cast feel that I think has been picked up when you've altered levels and colour, it may have been if you've filtered it.
It'd be interesting to hear why you went that way and what purpose the shot serves.
Firstly, it was my first time photographing dark skin (in or out of a studio) and the shoot was setup as a test, without much planning. Very much a case of keeping things simple.
Both shots are heavily cropped and were approached as fashion rather than beauty. Both models were not very experienced (especially the second) so a case of trying to get the best out of them.
Shot A is straight out of the camera with no adjustments or post production.
Shot B has been retouched by a friend of mine.
Shot C has been retouched. Skin colors are a little more accurate and the background has been tinted.
Shot D is straight out of the camera.
At the moment I am trying to firstly get much better (so constructive criticism helps) but also decide what direction to take style wise. Next time I would set up the whole day just for beauty, take more time finding the right model, just the right make-up and longer on lighting. First time back in the studio for some time, so just good to be taking photos again.
Olivero said:
andy-xr said:
Olivero said:
andy-xr said:
Also A&C, you havent asked for critique so I'll not offer any
Give me your best shotOn the basis I've never photographed African/black skin, I can only go on impressions of what you've posted. I hear it's very tricky to shoot.
Lets take A/B - I like this shot more than C/D, the eyes hold me on this shot more than the other. I'm guessing you're heading for somewhere between a beauty and a fashion headshot, and that I'm not sure which would indicate this one hasnt quite hit it.
The hotspot on the shoulder on A, the gape between the fingers on the cheek, eyes slightly soft and the general darkness of the face compared to the rest of the shot makes me move around the frame. When I look at it, my focus is drawn to the shoulder first, it's position is closer to me and is brighter than everything else. The contrast of light/dark of the fingers is where I went next.
The alteration you've made adding in makeup brings out the face, but I'm not sure what the added colour on the forehead and general retouch/smoothing adds. Personally I'd run that by a MUA/stylist and see how they'd brush it, I dont know if you have that option or if you already have. There's a colour cast feel that I think has been picked up when you've altered levels and colour, it may have been if you've filtered it.
It'd be interesting to hear why you went that way and what purpose the shot serves.
Firstly, it was my first time photographing dark skin (in or out of a studio) and the shoot was setup as a test, without much planning. Very much a case of keeping things simple.
Both shots are heavily cropped and were approached as fashion rather than beauty. Both models were not very experienced (especially the second) so a case of trying to get the best out of them.
Shot A is straight out of the camera with no adjustments or post production.
Shot B has been retouched by a friend of mine.
Shot C has been retouched. Skin colors are a little more accurate and the background has been tinted.
Shot D is straight out of the camera.
At the moment I am trying to firstly get much better (so constructive criticism helps) but also decide what direction to take style wise. Next time I would set up the whole day just for beauty, take more time finding the right model, just the right make-up and longer on lighting. First time back in the studio for some time, so just good to be taking photos again.
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