Little Black Dress

This was one of the first shots from this session. This was done using an Alien Bees Ring Flash with Moon Unit Softbox. That light is idiot proof and I love it!

Very well done!!!

Nice lighting but you needed a different color dress or a different color couch. They blend together too much in my opinion. I would like to see some distinction between the two.

They blend in way to much but otherwise the idea is wonderful and i like how shes composed!!

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Nice lighting but you needed a different color dress or a different color couch. They blend together too much in my opinion. I would like to see some distinction between the two.

Thanks. Very, very, Interesting point. Hundreds of people have seen that shot and no one has ever said that... However, I do definitely see and appreciate your point. I think the overall mood of the shot would have been compromised with a white or red dress. I think I can live with the similar colors to keep the sexy, dark mood of the shot versus a different colored dress. I have about 20 shots of her in this dress. I will post another in a different setting. Thanks again!

When you attach a file, hit insert and it will show up in your post.

This one is good. Looking at your first one again I do find the painting a bit distracting.

Well done tho!!!

Rob Nerpel wrote:

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Nice lighting but you needed a different color dress or a different color couch. They blend together too much in my opinion. I would like to see some distinction between the two.

Thanks. Very, very, Interesting point. Hundreds of people have seen that shot and no one has ever said that... However, I do definitely see and appreciate your point. I think the overall mood of the shot would have been compromised with a white or red dress. I think I can live with the similar colors to keep the sexy, dark mood of the shot versus a different colored dress. I have about 20 shots of her in this dress. I will post another in a different setting. Thanks again!

It's not surprising that no one has said anything. People generally give out 'attaboys freely whether the image is good or bad. I see it on all site forums and this site is particularly prone to do so. I don't like all the 'attaboys. If you don't point out what you don't like in an image or even what you do like, how will that person improve? These statements are not about your images or your photography. They are general observations about photo sharing sites. Some can't handle critiques, but if they want to improve, they will listen. That doesn't mean every critique is correct. My comments on your image is just my opinion and that doesn't make it right or wrong, it's just my opinion but comments like these may bring to light something that the photographer just does not see.

Shadowfixer1 wrote:

Rob Nerpel wrote:

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Nice lighting but you needed a different color dress or a different color couch. They blend together too much in my opinion. I would like to see some distinction between the two.

Thanks. Very, very, Interesting point. Hundreds of people have seen that shot and no one has ever said that... However, I do definitely see and appreciate your point. I think the overall mood of the shot would have been compromised with a white or red dress. I think I can live with the similar colors to keep the sexy, dark mood of the shot versus a different colored dress. I have about 20 shots of her in this dress. I will post another in a different setting. Thanks again!

It's not surprising that no one has said anything. People generally give out 'attaboys freely whether the image is good or bad. I see it on all site forums and this site is particularly prone to do so. I don't like all the 'attaboys. If you don't point out what you don't like in an image or even what you do like, how will that person improve? These statements are not about your images or your photography. They are general observations about photo sharing sites. Some can't handle critiques, but if they want to improve, they will listen. That doesn't mean every critique is correct. My comments on your image is just my opinion and that doesn't make it right or wrong, it's just my opinion but comments like these may bring to light something that the photographer just does not see.

+1 on Randy's comments. My opinion as well, he just beat me to it...

The Dress and couch doesn't bother me at all, I like the mood. I don't worry about the opinion of other photographers that I don't really know. My clients opinion matters the most to me, and the size of the check that they write.

I hear great things about Alien Bees! I am using whitelightining 800's. Serious workhorses. I have used Novatron and Norman with power-packs as well. Really liked the Normans, but I am glad to be done with power-packs. I have enough to tote around as it is.

PNMBritt wrote: The Dress and couch doesn't bother me at all, I like the mood. I don't worry about the opinion of other photographers that I don't really know. My clients opinion matters the most to me, and the size of the check that they write.

I hear great things about Alien Bees! I am using whitelightining 800's. Serious workhorses. I have used Novatron and Norman with power-packs as well. Really liked the Normans, but I am glad to be done with power-packs. I have enough to tote around as it is.

Thanks, I think this pic has a warm, dark feel so the dress works for me too but it is always interesting to hear other opinions. Bang per buck you can't beat Alien Bees IMO. I also have Elinchrom lights which are fantastic but much more expensive. The AB Ring Flash with the Moon Unit modifiers are just awesome units for this kind of stuff.

I think there's another factor here, another reason so few people have given any critique on your photo. Simply put, when you have a gorgeous model a lot of people aren't as likely to look around at the rest of the image. People enjoy pictures of beautiful women; if that wasn't the case, there would be much less demand for the work that many photographers do. So when you take a photo that does a good job of showing off the model, not everyone is going to look at the painting above her. Untrained eyes simply won't be looking for it, and only the few whose eyes are trained will notice it.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the color of the couch or the dress, but I think perhaps the other side of the image could use a little extra light.

In your second image, the model is very nicely lit. However, the chairs, fence, etc. visible through the windows, and the light fixture above her, all create some distraction. So your exposure on the subject is great, but the composition could be improved by eliminating things in the background.

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Nice lighting but you needed a different color dress or a different color couch. They blend together too much in my opinion. I would like to see some distinction between the two.

rmeyer7 wrote: Simply put, when you have a gorgeous model a lot of people aren't as likely to look around at the rest of the image. People enjoy pictures of beautiful women;

I didnt even see the couch or the painting until someone pointed it out

rmeyer7 wrote: In your second image, the model is very nicely lit. However, the chairs, fence, etc. visible through the windows, and the light fixture above her, all create some distraction. So your exposure on the subject is great, but the composition could be improved by eliminating things in the background.

Again... I had to go back and look, cause all i saw in the second image was the pool stick and the model - possibly the pool table as well

No doubt she is a beautiful model but to me, it isn't enough to make the photo stand out. I'm very much into fashion and her dress is very flat against the dark sofa . I like her pose but I would prefer her fingers to slightly run through her hair instead of her hand resting on her head with her hair pulled back; this draws attention to her forehead.