Dry Run

[draymorton]

This is just a half-assed, low-quality "sketch" for an upcoming (and much more elaborate) shoot with a different model. I just wanted to see ahead of time if this idea is gonna work.

[dbutler]

Not sure what you're looking for. I like the concept, but find it too monochromatic. My eyes can't seem to decide whether to hit on her, the buildings or the pylons. I think she needs to be stronger to hold my attention.

[flyinion]

I think I like the concept as well, but I share dbutler's opinion on everything blending a bit. I guess it would depend on what the real shot is going to be as far as skin tone and clothing on the "real" model.

[ksbryan0]

I think it might help to pull back a bit so more of her reflection/shadow shows on the water, and the perspective might minimize the distracting impact of the buildings beyond.

[jetrim]

This could work, but if your planning on carrying through with the high aperture (assuming it's to saturate the colors, not for the DoF) I think I'd like to see some heavy duty lighting to knock back the ambient light.

[dbutler]

Depends on what your real subject is. Do you want us to see her but not lose sight of the city? Try changing the colors of her clothing and see if that is where you want to go. Put her in red or green or yellow or white, and the change would be significant while still keeping the city and pylons in play. No loss in impact, I would think.

[draymorton]

Thanks a lot for the thoughtful and constructive comments and suggestions.

I think I like the concept as well, but I share dbutler's opinion on everything blending a bit. I guess it would depend on what the real shot is going to be as far as skin tone and clothing on the "real" model.

Yes, me too. The actual model will be fair-skinned and wearing white, yellow, or red.

I think it might help to pull back a bit so more of her reflection/shadow shows on the water, and the perspective might minimize the distracting impact of the buildings beyond.

That could be done. I don't want the buildings to be too small, but I see where you're going. A different angle and/or a wider focal length might do the trick.

This could work, but if your planning on carrying through with the high aperture (assuming it's to saturate the colors, not for the DoF) I think I'd like to see some heavy duty lighting to knock back the ambient light.

The high aperture was for DoF. I wanted the bg in the there for context.

Heavy-duty lighting - I hear ya, but it might be difficult in that location. I assume you would place the light(s) so that they mimicked the natural light itself.

I think a lot of the issues here stem from the skin tone and color of the clothing choices.

Depends on what your real subject is. Do you want us to see her but not lose sight of the city? Try changing the colors of her clothing and see if that is where you want to go. Put her in red or green or yellow or white, and the change would be significant while still keeping the city and pylons in play. No loss in impact, I would think.

Yes to the first question. And yes, the actual model will be light-skinned and most likely wearing white or yellow.

[LeeIs]

I really like it. I think it's a great concept. honestly dude, i can't wait to see the 'real runs' with all these dry runs, tryout kinda photos you've been posting.. It would take me 10 years to get a shot this good, and u just did it in a dry run. haha.

as for improvement, I'm thinking the right side doesn't add to this. I'd like to see, pillars and skyline, without the bank on the right side. I don't know. i cropped it with my browser and I like the simpler look that will present.

[draymorton]

Thanks.

I agree about the right side. The bg angle isn't the best, in general. I'm sure I'll be rethinking and recomposing when I go back.

[gahspidy]

"Dry run" clever title in many ways
Looks promising. some good points already brought up. I think having the bg blurred or subdued somehow would help get the runner to pop more. Possibly a slightly higher viewpoint looking across the pyles, but hard to tell without comparing both versions.
Can't wait to see the finished piece.

[draymorton]

"Dry run" clever title in many ways
Looks promising. some good points already brought up. I think having the bg blurred or subdued somehow would help get the runner to pop more. Possibly a slightly higher viewpoint looking across the pyles, but hard to tell without comparing both versions.
Can't wait to see the finished piece.

Thanks. I might open the f-stop to 3.5 or so. Maybe that will help.

Great feedback thus far - thanks. But no one has yet acknowledged the thousand-pound gorilla: is the comp convincing? No one mentioned it. Do I take that as a good thing?

[arne saknussen]

As far as the comp is concerned, she should be a few posts back (to the right).
It should seem that she is entering the scene instead of being 2/3 of the way there. IMO anyway.

[gahspidy]

Thanks. I might open the f-stop to 3.5 or so. Maybe that will help.

Great feedback thus far - thanks. But no one has yet acknowledged the thousand-pound gorilla: is the comp convincing? No one mentioned it. Do I take that as a good thing?

Arne makes a good point, btw.

I didn't think to comment on whether it looked comvincing or not because I knew this was merely a test, but thinking about it i do feel that its ok, but not quite convincing enough.
I feel like the back of her would be darker given the scenes lighting. The light you brought out on the inside of her right leg looks forced and not where the light would be naturally. The arms and upper body looks pretty good.
I dunno, hard to pik it apart accurately in that regard, but something looks just not quite there. . .but damn well close for a dry run at it.

[draymorton]

Arne, thanks for bringing that up. I didn't even think about it, but you're totally right.

Thanks, Gary. It took your feedback for me to see the flaws. That's how bad I am with this stuff. The weird thing is that the bg and model were shot in virtually the same setting about five minutes apart. So any of the lighting inconsistencies have to do with something I did in ps.

[shootme]

I can't see the scetch...