Orange blues

[gahspidy]

This is an image from a shoot i did with a model. This was a shot i had been planning on before we worked and i was hoping to pull it off. I thinbk it worked out, but would like your thoughts.
Thanks

[draymorton]

I don't even know what to say. You're looking for a critique? Good luck.

Exceptional work.

[jetrim]

What an interesting shot! I'm gonna have to think about how to even comment on this one...

[gahspidy]

Thanks Dray wish me luck lol. . .

Actually, there are a few concerns i had for this but ultimately decided that i thought it was ok overall, but was curious to know if anyone brought up some of my initial concerns and whether or not overall others felt it worked on the whole.
The subjects head is a bit large in this because it was shot with a 50mm at close range at a higher up position meaning her head was closest to the lens. I did this for a number of reasons and mainly because it was importrant to see her facial expression and running makeup/tears, and also because i generally like the almost caricature like look that this brings. . .but was wondering if anyone though this aspect did not work.
Another concern is the hair and the strays hairs poking about here and there. I could spend the time cleaning it up, but I thought it worked with the distraught nature of the subject. . .and its not by any means a glamour shot.
Skin tone. . .she is a very fair skin girl and I kept thinking I was over exposing her when i would look at the shot in the camera screen. Her skin looks very fair here, practically white, and I am wondering if anyone thinks she looks dead I liked it, thought it came out true and did not want to inroduce warm tones but still want some outside feedback.

this shot I had planned with no real specific idea of how i wanted her to pose, although what was important amongst other things was the print on the side of the crate to be visible. We tried various poses, and of the dozen or so shots, this one had just a bit of everything that I felt was needed. . .expression, box print visible, sex appeal, overall balance of composition, etc.

[gahspidy]

Thanks for the time, Jet.

[draymorton]

I did this for a number of reasons and mainly because it was importrant to see her facial expression and running makeup/tears, and also because i generally like the almost caricature like look that this brings. . .but was wondering if anyone though this aspect did not work.

No, it definitely does work. Very well.

Stray hairs... whatever. Everything work great as is.

[jetrim]

OK understand that I'm not trying to blow smoke up your @**

In my opinion, this is one of those rare shots that goes well beyond "good" and truly deserves the title "GREAT image". You've managed to squeeze an entire novel into 428,000 pixels. when I first looked at this image, I saw the lead-in, the background, the emotion, the ending. Maybe it was by accident, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, that everything was preplanned, because it all works so harmoniously, from the stray hair to the twisted up bustier to the bulges in the thighs from sitting too heavily on the orange crate, to the wrinkled stockings at her shoes obviously caused by rocking back and forth to console herself. Based on all the work I've seen from you over the past 2 years, this is probably the single best image you've produced, and if you were to do some sort of photo book, it would be my choice for the cover - hands down. The technical aspects are wonderful, but the story it evokes in one's imagination is what elevates this shot to greatness for me. Incredibly powerful image.

[arne saknussen]

Amen to the story telling aspect of this photo. Fantastic! A beautiful woman with her "flaws" revealed, which, perhaps makes her more beautiful......Brilliant!

[draymorton]

Based on all the work I've seen from you over the past 2 years, this is probably the single best image you've produced

I agree........

[gahspidy]

Jet and Dray, thanks for the time.
Jet, I didn't expect it to go over as well as it has been received, but needless to say I won't complain Photo John actually pointed out a couple things I think are quite valid, in the gallery. Jet, you know better than I that having a good model is more than half the battle here. . .
Thanks

[gahspidy]

Amen to the story telling aspect of this photo. Fantastic! A beautiful woman with her "flaws" revealed, which, perhaps makes her more beautiful......Brilliant!

I always felt that way and couldn't agree more with the notion that the "flaws" are perhaps the most interesting and attractive aspects of a woman.

[Pose]

I also thought that the perspective and overall roused/distraught feeling was planned for this shot. My initial feeling is that everything works here, and simply adds to the image, including displaced hairs, skin tone, bumps/bulges, and body position.

To me it tells a story of someone stuck in a life they haven't chosen, or feel they can't escape. Maybe the dancer that puts on a show while on stage, but retires to a depression at the end of the night.

Jared

[jetrim]

Photo John actually pointed out a couple things I think are quite valid, in the gallery.

I responded there, but I don't share his view. One of the things that impresses me the most is the balance of bold and subtle, the nuance. Some elements are not supposed to be as dominant as others, but they all support the story.

[w.slayman]

Gary,

When I first looked at the shot I thought it was a WWII era "Pinup Painting". But on second look I realized that was actually a photograph, it is not a picture but a fine work of photographic art. GREAT work. KUDOS I am truly jealous.

Now I will read what the others have said.

[gahspidy]

Thanks for your thoughts, Bill, Jim and Jared.

[dbutler]

I think her skin looks awesome. Not dead, just not necessarily healthy and that works with your intent. My only nitpick is her breasts simply because they look deformed. I think it would be one thing if they were saggy (not likely with this pretty young thing) or just somewhat droopy or some other "poor thing" quality about them, but in this instance it just bugs me. Maybe 'cause I'm a gal and breasts are so important to us? Don't know. It just bugs me. But that in no way really detracts from the image. I think you did a wonderful capture here.