Let's keep this low key

[jetrim]

A model just for Nicci These are pretty much untouched except for some color and tone adjustments. Was hoping the lack of processing on the skin would add to the "rough girl" look. What do you guys think?

[Nicci]

lol

I can't say much as I am not into this type of photography but shouldn't she cover up before getting on that bike?

[jetrim]

She's got her protective eyewear and boots. What more do you want?

[daq7]

Man that's cool. The restrained and smooth light in the first one is something I cannot do yet. Especially if it is an untreated shot. To come even close I have to paint.

[jetrim]

Daq,
You CAN do this, you just need the right tools and an understanding of how they work. Low Key lighting is pretty simple - one BIG softbox incredibly close to the subject, metered for the closest part of that subject to the light source. When I say close - if Gloria had stood straight up in this shot, she would have hit her head on the softbox. She actually had to duck when walking up to the bike. The idea is sorta counter-intuitive, the closer the light, the faster it falls off.

[GB1]

The first's composition doesn't look right to me, and her hair fades too much into the black background (as does her top and parts of the bike). A hair light would help. I think the 2nd shot is super-professional looking. It's very sharp, excellently saturated, and the background is appealing. She's a good looking gal, but to be honest I don't think that the outfit is right for her because she's not as thin or as muscularly defined as she needs to be for it to work. Just my opin. The only other part that could be better is the way her arm is half clipped on the left side, which doesn't quite look right.

Fluid mask btw?

G

[jetrim]

No chance for a hair light with low-key lighting (it would have to shoot THROUGH the softbox). I agree about the outfit, but sadly, I didn't have any say in that. No masking, this is all done with light. Here's a wider view of the second shot, that was done with a little softer processing style: