_Vanessa_ /Swimsuit

[24Peter]

My first beach/swimsuit shoot. Many challenges, many joys that day... Vanessa was a trooper - especially when it came time to get wet. ;) See all her pics here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/vanessa

1.
http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/vanessa/large/IMG_1109.JPG
2.
http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/vanessa/large/IMG_1133.JPG
3.
http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/vanessa/large/IMG_1311.JPG
4.
http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/vanessa/large/IMG_1412.JPG
5.
http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/vanessa/large/IMG_1371.JPG

[JTL]

Peter...you're my hero! :D

Oh yeah...great shots, BTW...


Seriously, now...

O.K. 45 is definitely my favorite...a very pro-level shot.

Also, 39, 40 and 61 are ones I find very compelling...

[noyjimi]

Wow! :D :D :o :D :D

I volunteer myself to hold the reflector next time, Peter.

[cwphoto]

Good effort Pete, although I find some of the shadows to be a bit strong. Have you thought of using a tent/scrim?

[toriaj]

Great shots! I agree with CW on the shadows. But I'm sure she will be very happy with many of the shots.

btw, #6 ... not flattering. And it seemed like she was "sucking in" in many of the shots. She's skinny enough, doesn't need to hold it in. IMHO #56 is better than #52 for that reason. (I hope you are open to this kind of criticism ... if not, no worries, fugget aboud id ...)

Very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[24Peter]

Good effort Pete, although I find some of the shadows to be a bit strong. Have you thought of using a tent/scrim?
Well that was the main challenge de jour. B/c of our scheduling the only time we could shoot was midday (11-2PM). Here in LA in June that's like shooting at the Equator (in other words the sun was very strong and directly overhead.) I considered all kinds of fill options but I was working alone so it was tough. I brought a big piece of foamcore to use as a bounce but that just became something else to chase after as the wind blew it down the beach (it was very windy that day.) Christian, as for the tent/scrim, one day on a professional shoot I'll have all manner of light control. But I right now I'm a one man show and that stuff if tough to set-up and move alone. Also, we didn't have any permits to shoot and I didn't want to draw undue attention to what I was doing.

So... I ended up using my two headed flash monster or my 220EX on camera as fill. Also, the one advantage of the beach is the sand can be a nice natural reflector, though in our case the sand wasn't all that white. But hey, for my first time shooting at the beach and working alone, I'm happy. ;)

[te1221]

She's very pretty. I do agree that in some shots it looks like she's sucking in her gut. Definitely very good. Did you find yourself using your 70-200 more (judging by the exif data)?

[JMWallace]

EXCELLENT! Those are some fabulous shots. I see she is not much of a tooth smiler..but VERY attractive all the same.

I really like the close-up ones where she is leaning on the weathered concrete thingy. It adds a nice contrast of textures to her smooth skin.

Good job!

[24Peter]

She's very pretty. I do agree that in some shots it looks like she's sucking in her gut. Definitely very good. Did you find yourself using your 70-200 more (judging by the exif data)?

Thanks JM and te...

I used my 70-200 for most of the second half of the shoot (brown swimsuit). But this created some real challenges. While I was using my two headed monster flash as fill (http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/upload/websize/IMG_9901.JPG) I was limited to a max shutter speed of 1/200th in order to get the sync. Not very fast when on the long end of the 70-200. Add to that that it was the first time I shot in the surf, sand and wind and my footing was very iffy. The result was many more shots with camera shake than usual (God - I wish Canon would make the 70-200 F4 with IS). Later when I switched to my 220EX on camera which has high speed sync, it was not an issue. But I had some otherwise beautiful shots that were ruined by a shakey camera.

[Vich]

Congrads on wrapping up another shoot Peter. She managed that no-smile smile nicely, while still looking very pretty. All 102 lbs of her.

Sorry to hear your external lights don't fast-sync. The 20D goes up to 1/250 but that's not much different. Yeah, IS would be great on that lens.

When you gonna get paid for all this anyhow? Is this part of a training program for you or just a hobby? Glad we all get to see the progress, keep 'em coming!

[aparmley]

The image quality on these photos is outstanding Pete. I can't believe you shoot with an XT - Makes me depressed! :D

[24Peter]

The image quality on these photos is outstanding Pete. I can't believe you shoot with an XT - Makes me depressed! :D
Many people on other forums have noted how bad the lighting is on some of the shots. Well I must say I was really unhappy when I first reviewed the shoot for that reason. But then I just kinda let that go and worked to make each one as good as I could and really started to like them. They're not perfect but some are really good. And I'm proud I took on the challenge of trying something new. I'm editing another shoot from this past weekend and again, I messed some stuff up. But it was a whole new thing (location-wise at least) and some shots are pretty good. So at least I'm trying. :)

[aparmley]

Many people on other forums have noted how bad the lighting is on some of the shots. Well I must say I was really unhappy when I first reviewed the shoot for that reason. But then I just kinda let that go and worked to make each one as good as I could and really started to like them. They're not perfect but some are really good. And I'm proud I took on the challenge of trying something new. I'm editing another shoot from this past weekend and again, I messed some stuff up. But it was a whole new thing (location-wise at least) and some shots are pretty good. So at least I'm trying. :)

No-No-No I think you put it best. You were out there alone buddy at a tough time of the day - the lighting was what it was - I think you managed just fine. . . some of these people don't have a clue how to shoot in that lighting but they still have opinions and they'll let you know what they are too :D

True in your gallery there are strong shots and weaker ones but the weaker ones are the bees knees to what I'd probably do out there. . .

Congrats on taking on the challenge and performing well. . . its another one under your belt and one step closer to your goal.

Not sure how I triggered the self reflect time - but its interesting to read and educational as well so thanks for sharing. I meant what I said though - the IQ on these are outstanding for the XT IMHO.

[astro]

Cute model!
To be bluntly honest though, I'd have to say your shoot is quite redundant. It seems to have the center-and-shoot-at-eye-level syndrome. Try using the rule of thirds. Try adding in some background. Try different angles. Don't have her look at the camera and smile in every single picture.

Good luck

[boog]

Peter, I think shots are outstanding and considering time you shot(11-2 and sun over head), I don't know if you could have done any better than you did. Thanks for sharing.

[24Peter]

Peter, I think shots are outstanding and considering time you shot(11-2 and sun over head), I don't know if you could have done any better than you did. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks boog. :)

[Vich]

Cute model!
To be bluntly honest though, I'd have to say your shoot is quite redundant. It seems to have the center-and-shoot-at-eye-level syndrome. Try using the rule of thirds. Try adding in some background. Try different angles. Don't have her look at the camera and smile in every single picture.

Good luck
Astro, with all due respect, what are you talking about? You sure it's this session?

I look and see nice use of thirds, as well as background. It could have been better (as always - with all of us), but I see a lot of non-eye-level, whitewash and rocks nicely angled in the background, the wood pilings making for rustic look, great angles for her features (some maybe not the best, but mostly great), great captures of look. There might be some nice posing, camera angle, lighting, variety of setting, composition pointers this session could bear from a pro who knows, but rule-of-thirds? Sorry, seems a little off the wall.

I'm only looking at the ones he posted. I seem to recall, from when I first looked, that the gallery had a lot of dups and misses. If anything, I'd say he could stand to reduce - maybe that made for an everything-looks-the-same feel.

Again, with all due respect, no slam intended. I'm sure Peter (and the rest of us) would love to hear legitimate advice. Would you care to elaborate?

[aparmley]

Vich - I will say one thing about Astros post - it got me thinking - I'd love to see Peter incorporate a WA - something in the neighborhood of 10-22mm[hint hint] - into his portrait/urban work - I'd love to see what Peter comes up with . . .

[24Peter]

Vich - I will say one thing about Astros post - it got me thinking - I'd love to see Peter incorporate a WA - something in the neighborhood of 10-22mm[hint hint] - into his portrait/urban work - I'd love to see what Peter comes up with . . .
I'm holding out on purchasing a WA until I see what's up this fall with new lenses/bodies. I've tried my kit lens but it doesn't like people as much as it likes architecture - well except for Lorena - every one of my lenses loves Lorena... http://imageevent.com/24peter/lorenahenrique - shots 1-22 were done with the kit lens and a tripod and tungsten (video) light.

[astro]

Astro, with all due respect, what are you talking about? You sure it's this session?

I look and see nice use of thirds, as well as background. It could have been better (as always - with all of us), but I see a lot of non-eye-level, whitewash and rocks nicely angled in the background, the wood pilings making for rustic look, great angles for her features (some maybe not the best, but mostly great), great captures of look. There might be some nice posing, camera angle, lighting, variety of setting, composition pointers this session could bear from a pro who knows, but rule-of-thirds? Sorry, seems a little off the wall.

I'm only looking at the ones he posted. I seem to recall, from when I first looked, that the gallery had a lot of dups and misses. If anything, I'd say he could stand to reduce - maybe that made for an everything-looks-the-same feel.

Again, with all due respect, no slam intended. I'm sure Peter (and the rest of us) would love to hear legitimate advice. Would you care to elaborate?

On a second look, it does have some variety, however, there are also many images that look very similar at the same time. For example, pics 1 and 2 look the same, 3 and 4 also look the same. A good technique I've seen many photographers use is to mix and match the images, so that you don't have two similar images next to each other. Randomize your images.
Photogenic weekend has many galleries that do not feel repetitive.
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/weekend/2006/05/26/3869.html

Just some thoughts.. no slam intended here either. :cool:

[24Peter]

Photogenic weekend has many galleries that do not feel repetitive.
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/weekend/2006/05/26/3869.html

Just some thoughts.. no slam intended here either. :cool:
Hmmmm.... swimsuit in a hotel room - note to self: gotta try that one... ;)