Spot color experiments

[GB1]

Playing around with the pix from a model shoot ("Debbie"). I sort of like this shot's expression and ponderance, and its feeling of desperation, but wonder if its busy background might go a little too far? Tried a spot color expt and a vignette on top of that. I adjusted the pic so that her face wasn't so dark, but I wonder if it is enought?

Comments appreciated.

Film was Reala 100 ASA, scanned with Nikon Coolscan film scanner.

gb

[drg]

I saw your other shots with this model and location as well and noted the comments about reflectors.

My first comment is that this seems to be the perfect example of a situation that always calls for fill flash/lighting.

I like the backlighting, perfect in an exterior, and the clear sky adds to the starkness and the rusticity of the scene. The model would be enhanced if the exposure and resulting colors and clarity had been strengthened with more light.

She needs to be more visually prominent.

Another suggestion would be to find a way for her to be an element in the series, without being the subject. Not fully silhouetted, but more balanced in terms of exposure. Of course that probably would be a waste of a good model.

One other comment, the hat was far more effective in some of the other images. I feel in this one it is an afterthought and almost a distraction against the darker truck and her jeans. I would prefer it used slightly differently or use more of the window reflections of the pickups rear window.

I feel seeing more of the expression on her face would really work to make this an effective picture for any purpose.

[GB1]

D -

Thanks for the in-depth analysis. I agree with it all. We actually did make a lot of use of the reflectors I had, just not on this particular shot (... I know, duh). I do have a number of shots were she's interacting more with the environment, but probably not to the extent you're suggesting. That would diminish the use of the model somewhat, but whether that is good or bad depends on the theme of the shot (I really didn't have a theme walking into this shoot -- maybe the next one I will). I think I was out of range of my flash though.

Interesting what you wrote about the hat. I agree with that 100%, the hat was a 'plus' in the other shots but would be better there on this one... Her just sitting there (w/o the hat) would have been simplier, more natural. It's size and its perfect shape are at odds with the rest of the scene, I think.

I think the lesson I learned here is that it's better to get the shot RIGHT at location than to try to fix w/ software (duh again). To be honest I was so busy with the composition and being the director (which I didnt have to do to much of, which was nice) that I dont think I thought of the lighting in this shot. Next time. I think my eye is getting trained.

GB