Model Mayhem Page - Constructive criticism

[gdubs]

OK..So I have a model mayhem page and had shoots with 5 different females. I think my shots are getting better. Anyways, I'm chatting with this one girl today who is hot..and I want to shoot. She looks at my page and tells me my lighting is not good and it looks like I shot with a regular point a shoot digital camera. So I x's that bitch out. I only have an off camera flash that I made a snoot for (nude pics on my page) and an alien bees ring flash. Please give any and all advice. I'm attaching the pictures from my page as I don't expect most people to have a page on there. Also, what lighting can any of you advise? I'm thinking some alien bees strobes. Not sure how many and what model though.

By the way I'm shooting with a Canon 40D...fuckin dumb bitch.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47ddcdff192d7.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d757669b33e.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d7545a04d11.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d36ec10443f.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47cb7d0ab647a.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47cacc0b454aa.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c79d0f219c1.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c79b12de40b.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c10f4890c06.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c4f02ceeb9f.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47b3b02da59f3.jpg

[roots69]

keep that camera clicking....youll figure out what works for you...

[greygoose]

by far im not a pro
but you might want to keep her on rotation. she's not exactly talking out of her ass.

the third photo from the top (color photo, chick with guitar) looks underexposed. the exposure is off

this
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47cacc0b454aa.jpg

looks overexposed check out the histogram on that one. im not perfect at reading histograms but it looks off too parts of the face look blown out

the next one
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c79d0f219c1.jpg

you could work on the lighting set-up. there is a halo/shadow around from her left elbow (our right) and up to her right shoulder (our left)


i would have asked her to divulge more info instead of just crossing her out. i'd wait for the more experienced pro heads to hit this thread though

[gdubs]

Goose,
You make good points. The one with the halo...that ring flash does give that effect. When she said it looks like a regular digital camera...come on..that's not even constructive criticism...I just said ok. If it wasn't for her body...I would never have hit her up anyways...her nose is a wreck :lol::lol: but yeah..I'm just trying to learn and get better.

[roots69]

try these sites

http://photo.net/

http://www.popphoto.com/howto/

http://photography-on-the.net



i spend alot of time on there picking up some tips....

[greygoose]

its not even about the camera moreso than it is about the lighting. i know nothing about lighting a scene so i cant tell you how to improve i wish i knew that myself. but you definately gotta get your lighting game up. especially if you're gonna be shooting people of that caliber. again, i would wait for the pros to enter and shed some light on that.

if i were you? i'd keep taking photos and posting its the only way you're gonna get feedback + learn + get criticism from people that know.

[greygoose]

try these sites

http://photo.net/

http://www.popphoto.com/howto/

http://photography-on-the.net



i spend alot of time on there picking up some tips....

i was just running my browser so i can get that link to post for OP. you beat me to it.
and op, that means its a site you must check out.

pay considerable attention to the forum section about lighting. read the stickies. you must read the stickies.
the good thing about your situation is that you have people to practice on with the lighting setup that you have. THAT is a plus. you always gotta have someone to practice on, look at results get feedback and keep it moving

[dymextrememodels.com]

No offense but finer models will get you the dumbest but finest chics in the world. Fine ass follows fine ass.

My modelmayhem is #195518

[hits]

I think I can help you. But first, in order to get good help in a photography forum, it is always best to leave the EXIF data in your pictures. Alot of people here remove it and that's not good when you need help. You may be removing it on accident. In Photoshop, if you choose "Save For Web", it will automatically remove your EXIF data unless you override it.

Anyway, in this picture (the dark ones), you would really benefit from a Soft Box. Alien Bees are gonna give you harsh light. In dark shoots, a soft box will balance the light better and give the picture that warmer look you are trying to achieve.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47ddcdff192d7.jpg

The next picture (the girl on the bed with the guitar), would benefit from several things. First of all, the focus seems off. I'll talk more about focus in a minute. Also, the technique you are using for this photo (called Selective Coloring) doesn't work for this photo in my opinion. And lastly, the picture needs sharpening. Use Unsharp Mask and it will help tremendously.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d757669b33e.jpg

The second picture of her (the one in color), is a victim of harsh lighting as well. Your subject (which should be the girl and guitar) is dark and the harsh light sticks out more than anything.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d7545a04d11.jpg

The picture of the basketball looks good in my opinion.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d36ec10443f.jpg

The next group of pictures (the ones of the girl outside) can use some help as well. The first thing is (again) the FOCUS. If you look...you'll see in the fourth shot, her coat is sharper/more in focus than her face. Again, I'll go more into focusing in a minute. Also, the LEVELS are off. Are you using Auto White Balance ? If so, this could be the culprit. These pics of her need some "pop" to them. Drop them in Photoshop, look at the histogram, and you can fix them in like 30 seconds.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47cb7d0ab647a.jpg

The next picture (a headshot), has blown highlights. Again, if you'd left the EXIF data in these, I could tell you exactly where you went wrong.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47cacc0b454aa.jpg

The next picture ( the girl sitting on the sofa) is in focus but she has a halo around her and there is a shadow on the wall. THIS IS NOT FROM THE RINGFLASH. This is because your model and background are too close to the wall. Don't believe me ? Try this...pull that sofa about 4 feet away from the wall and reshoot the picture. The halo and shadow will be gone.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c79d0f219c1.jpg

The next picture (the booty shot) is good. It simply needs a LEVELS adjustment.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c79b12de40b.jpg

The next picture (the series of the girl by the tree) needs to be focused correctly and needs Fill Flash. Does your flash have Fill Flash mode ?
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c10f4890c06.jpg

The next picture (the girl in the coat) needs Fill Flash. It also needs a LEVELS and CONTRAST adjustment in Photoshop.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c4f02ceeb9f.jpg



In closing, the girl you spoke to is correct. You do need some lighting help. I am merely trying to help you with that. In regards to focusing...you need to change your focusing technique. When you compose your shot. ALWAYS FOCUS ON THE EYES. Look at the model,aim your focus at her eye, recompose and shoot. You'll notice a HUGE difference.

I hope this helps.

[greygoose]

which brings up a good question:
what focus mode are you in and what focus points are you using (or focus point)

[gdubs]

which brings up a good question:
what focus mode are you in and what focus points are you using (or focus point)

98% of the time I'm in autofocus. Obviously it's focusing on the wrong spots and I should do it manually. It's not always easy. I change the focusing points as it's an option on the camera...but yeah..auto focus.

[gdubs]

No offense but finer models will get you the dumbest but finest chics in the world. Fine ass follows fine ass.

My modelmayhem is #195518

Yeah. I've seen your page and messaged you a few times. You definitely have some hot ones :) Mine is 551002

[gdubs]

I think I can help you. But first, in order to get good help in a photography forum, it is always best to leave the EXIF data in your pictures. Alot of people here remove it and that's not good when you need help. You may be removing it on accident. In Photoshop, if you choose "Save For Web", it will automatically remove your EXIF data unless you override it.

Anyway, in this picture (the dark ones), you would really benefit from a Soft Box. Alien Bees are gonna give you harsh light. In dark shoots, a soft box will balance the light better and give the picture that warmer look you are trying to achieve.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47ddcdff192d7.jpg

The next picture (the girl on the bed with the guitar), would benefit from several things. First of all, the focus seems off. I'll talk more about focus in a minute. Also, the technique you are using for this photo (called Selective Coloring) doesn't work for this photo in my opinion. And lastly, the picture needs sharpening. Use Unsharp Mask and it will help tremendously.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d757669b33e.jpg

The second picture of her (the one in color), is a victim of harsh lighting as well. Your subject (which should be the girl and guitar) is dark and the harsh light sticks out more than anything.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d7545a04d11.jpg

The picture of the basketball looks good in my opinion.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47d36ec10443f.jpg

The next group of pictures (the ones of the girl outside) can use some help as well. The first thing is (again) the FOCUS. If you look...you'll see in the fourth shot, her coat is sharper/more in focus than her face. Again, I'll go more into focusing in a minute. Also, the LEVELS are off. Are you using Auto White Balance ? If so, this could be the culprit. These pics of her need some "pop" to them. Drop them in Photoshop, look at the histogram, and you can fix them in like 30 seconds.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47cb7d0ab647a.jpg

The next picture (a headshot), has blown highlights. Again, if you'd left the EXIF data in these, I could tell you exactly where you went wrong.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47cacc0b454aa.jpg

The next picture ( the girl sitting on the sofa) is in focus but she has a halo around her and there is a shadow on the wall. THIS IS NOT FROM THE RINGFLASH. This is because your model and background are too close to the wall. Don't believe me ? Try this...pull that sofa about 4 feet away from the wall and reshoot the picture. The halo and shadow will be gone.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c79d0f219c1.jpg

The next picture (the booty shot) is good. It simply needs a LEVELS adjustment.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c79b12de40b.jpg

The next picture (the series of the girl by the tree) needs to be focused correctly and needs Fill Flash. Does your flash have Fill Flash mode ?
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c10f4890c06.jpg

The next picture (the girl in the coat) needs Fill Flash. It also needs a LEVELS and CONTRAST adjustment in Photoshop.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/gdubs97/47c4f02ceeb9f.jpg



In closing, the girl you spoke to is correct. You do need some lighting help. I am merely trying to help you with that. In regards to focusing...you need to change your focusing technique. When you compose your shot. ALWAYS FOCUS ON THE EYES. Look at the model,aim your focus at her eye, recompose and shoot. You'll notice a HUGE difference.

I hope this helps.

First off, I'm not sure what EXIF data is and how to show it. I shoot in raw and simply mess with the settings to make it look good in my opinion. Obviously I will get better with more experience...but for now I use the first tab in raw and basically mess with all of the different settings on the page that has exposure, white balance, etc. The last 5 pictures I just shot in JPG mode.

1. In the first picture (and the ones with dark lighting in general) I want to make the light this is shed on the subject more "soft" I'm not using the alien bees here. I made a "snoot" and put it over the only other flash I own (canon 220ex) and used a cable to set it up behind the subject, on the side, etc and shot with this off camera flash. Same as the basketball. I think the ball was better, because I actually took this picture while it was night time and dark. Can I make a "softbox" and put it over this flash?

2. I don't even like this picture that much but learned that "selective coloring" technique on photoshop and wanted to try it. and yes the focus was off. As easy as it sounds, I'm finding it's not too easy to focus exactly especially when you're shooting portraits and depth of field is very minimal.

3. Another trial..just trying to make some "artistic nudes".

4. thanks

5. I did use auto white balance. Also, I messed around and checked the diff white balance settings in raw and chose what I thought looked best. I really don't know how to use the histogram and know very little about it. Any suggestions? which "levels"?

6. How do I get this EXIF data? I didn't shoot this in raw either.

7. I used the ring flash here.

8. You're right with the distance. I did read that and did try that. For some reason I like the halo...but keep in mind..these are my only shoots and have minimal exp with shooting models and using this equipment.

9. Levels?

10. Fill flash? lol I just used my camera and the natural light. The only outdoors flash I own is the older 220ex. It's a ttl flash and can't make adjustments on the flash for power, etc.

11. same as 10

12. When you mention "levels" which are you talking about? exposure, contrast, etc??

Maybe she was right about the lighting..but they look like I shot with a point and shoot digital is a little harsh. On top of that she only had one series of photos that even looked somewhat professional. Obviously these models don't want to shoot with me if they have alot of professional shots in their portfolios already. I'm trying to learn and do spend time on those boards when I can. Between those boards, trying to learn photoshop, the camera and getting models, plus my life..there isn't too much time left. Thanks for the advice.

Do you usually focus manually? It can be tricky and hard to tell if it's perfect while taking the shot.

[greygoose]

98% of the time I'm in autofocus. Obviously it's focusing on the wrong spots and I should do it manually. It's not always easy. I change the focusing points as it's an option on the camera...but yeah..auto focus.

when i talk about focus mode im talking about:
• One shot AF
• AI Servo AF
• AI Focus AF
• Manual focus

when i talk about the focus point it can be auto or manual. you can choose center point focus or it can be multi-point. you can tell which is being used when you go to take a shot you will see one or multiple points light up in lil red points (lil red square points when you press the shutter halfway down to focus)

and when you take teh photos, are you using live view? or looking through the viewfinder?

that's all important. find that info out asap


http://i29.tinypic.com/2jecwie.gif

[greygoose]

exif data may be displayed on your software as metadata

http://i29.tinypic.com/2s17kgi.gif


basically post your settings for

camera
lens
lens focal lenth (24-70mm lens @ 63mm, etc)
shutter speed
iso
aperture
any flash compensation
any exposure compensation

you have canon you should have zoom browser or adobe bridge to view your raw files they both tell you all the relevant information

[gdubs]

when i talk about focus mode im talking about:
• One shot AF
• AI Servo AF
• AI Focus AF
• Manual focus

when i talk about the focus point it can be auto or manual. you can choose center point focus or it can be multi-point. you can tell which is being used when you go to take a shot you will see one or multiple points light up in lil red points (lil red square points when you press the shutter halfway down to focus)

and when you take teh photos, are you using live view? or looking through the viewfinder?

that's all important. find that info out asap


http://i29.tinypic.com/2jecwie.gif


I know all about the focusing system and using diff points.

One shot AF when I shot the still pictures

Don't use the live view...I use the viewfinder...live view seems to kill the battery quick

[gdubs]

exif data may be displayed on your software as metadata

http://i29.tinypic.com/2s17kgi.gif


basically post your settings for

camera
lens
lens focal lenth (24-70mm lens @ 63mm, etc)
shutter speed
iso
aperture
any flash compensation
any exposure compensation

you have canon you should have zoom browser or adobe bridge to view your raw files they both tell you all the relevant information

I didn't even install that software yet...but photoshop shows it when the raw pic is pulled up. The nude collage

Top pic:
camera - Canon 40d
lens - Tamron
lens focal lenth - (17-50 @ 42mm)
shutter speed - 1/125
iso - 100
aperture - f/4
any flash compensation - flash was off camera with a snoot...don't know about "compensation"
any exposure compensation - i did all this stuff in raw mode on photoshop

[roots69]

98% of the time I'm in autofocus. Obviously it's focusing on the wrong spots and I should do it manually. It's not always easy. I change the focusing points as it's an option on the camera...but yeah..auto focus.




a friend told me to get off that auto focus,,,and if i wanted to use it, i shouldve bought a point and shoot camera...but play around with your camera....this is what helped me out...i went out at nite and took photos....and trust me, you learn to use all parts of that camera when taking nite shots....

[greygoose]

a friend told me to get off that auto focus,,,and if i wanted to use it, i shouldve bought a point and shoot camera...but play around with your camera....this is what helped me out...i went out at nite and took photos....and trust me, you learn to use all parts of that camera when taking nite shots....

i disagree.

try shooting sports an manual focus
try shooting street candids in manual focus
even at night depending on what you're shooting, you'll need the autofocus. sometimes its just too dark to even focus on the subject (im not talking about infinity focus either)

in situations where the lighting is controlled and you have the time to meddle with the focus manually, then yeah. but these cameras with each upgrade has a slightly better focusing system each time for a reason.

when doing macros shots manual focus is the right on time. depending on what you are shooting i can say yeah go ahead and do the manual focus thing so you control exactly what you want the output to be (factoring depth of field, etc etc etc)

manual might have its place, but dont undermine the autofocus feature.

he might have been referring to auto functions though :confused: i would love to hear what others have to say on this topic.

[716]

I am MM#83383

[METHODIST]

http://photography.listings.ebay.com/Lighting-Studio-Equipment_Light-Meters_W0QQsacatZ88668QQsocmdZListingItemList