Ashley

[Greg McCary]

I have always avoiding getting into this type shooting. But I have had a few people asking would I try for them. So this is about my third outing. The setup was sun left, flash and Gary Fong Cloud right side on a tripod. My wife was holding one of those round diffusers left side on slippery wet rocks and was getting as much of Ashely covered as it would allow. I need a bigger one I know. I set white balance by shooting through the Fong dome. The two issues I have with it are the watch. I wish like heck I had told her to take it off. Also the foot. I did have a shot with it hidden behind her but it looked akward. The only corrections I made were to brighten her teeth and eyes and slightly darkened the BG about half a stop. Ashely was very pleased I guess that's all that matters but if you have a better set up I want to know about it.


ashely by Cosmonaut's, on Flickr

[Lava Lamp]

I think you have it right -- if she is happy, you've produced a good photo for her. We get caught up in many aspects of photography, but for most of the non-photographers, it is just about capturing a memory and looking as good as one can in a photo. The fact that she likes it means you got the second part down. I don't think I would have noticed the watch without you pointing it out, but it looks to me like you could clone it out.

It sounds like you worked hard on the lighting and it looks pretty good. The area under her eyes looks a little baggy, which often happens when the overhead light is a little heavy, but that might be how she looks. That can be retouched should you care to do so.

Taking off the shoes is the right touch (and maybe necessary with slippery rocks.) I wish the water wasn't quite that color green, though.

By the way, how do you like the Gary Fong? I am thinking about buying one for a party I'm going to shoot in Sept.

[Frog]

I agree with LavaLamp.
The watch could be cloned out but if she doesn't mind it, then why bother.

The foot does look like it's growing out of her knee and washed out but not a big deal.

[Greg McCary]

Thenks Frog. I might can burn the foot slightly and Lava Lamp thanks for the tip on over head lighting. I learn something new every time out. The Gary Fong Cloud is pretty amazing a lot of people complain about the price but it's a lot more covenant than an umbrella and less likely to blow over in the wind. It works well on camera too. I wacthed many YouTube and Adorama how to videos before I tried this but I haven't seen a video with the Gary Fong off camera.

[armando_m]

I think you controlled the light very well,
She looks happy and relax, if she liked it you are done !

Having people pose and look good is challenging, my only suggestion would be about the neck area, next time have her move her head forward half an inch towards the camera, it can smooth the skin under her chin

[geraldb]

it is a nice portrait over all but from the first look as the page was parsing I noticed too much red not to mention her dress but also her skin and the water...and yes her foot is overexposed.

[Greg McCary]

Armando, gerald, Thanks for the great advise. More things to remember next time out. I did set the color with the Gary Fong I thought I had at least nailed that. It was steaming hot after a shower came through. It could be why the skin is a little red. I'll work on the foot.