Klaudia & Olivia - swimsuit

[24Peter]

My second attempt at swimsuit/beach shooting. Klaudia and Olivia are best friends. I previously shot each them individually (see Olivia here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/oliviabriggs - see Klaudia here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiagajek ) They were up for a beach shoot so we did it. My XT and various Canon lenses including 28-105 3.5-4.5, 50 1.8, 85 1.8 and 70-200 F4 L. See all their photos here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia .

See my first attempt at a beach shoot here - http://imageevent.com/24peter/vanessa :)

1. http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia/large/IMG_2280.JPG

2. http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia/large/IMG_2360.JPG

3. http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia/large/IMG_2392.JPG

4. http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia/large/IMG_2424.JPG

5. http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia/large/IMG_2535.JPG

6. http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia/large/IMG_2653.JPG

7. http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia/large/IMG_2435.JPG

[cdifoto]

As you know I'm no good at critiques, but your lighting is definitely better. Not to say the other shoot was bad - it's just a notch or 2 up here.

[toriaj]

The pics look beautiful. When I commented on the lighting last time, I didn't mean to be a bother. I know I couldn't do pics nearly as well. I'm still learning what is appropriate to say, and what not to say. Thank you for sharing your shots. Tori

[24Peter]

The pics look beautiful. When I commented on the lighting last time, I didn't mean to be a bother. I know I couldn't do pics nearly as well. I'm still learning what is appropriate to say, and what not to say. Thank you for sharing your shots. Tori
Tori - no need to be apologetic. I don't even remember who made the comments and am gonna delete that bit. Thanks for looking. :)

[24Peter]

As you know I'm no good at critiques, but your lighting is definitely better. Not to say the other shoot was bad - it's just a notch or 2 up here.
Thanks Don. ;)

[Bluedog]

OK I'm gonna get a little picky with you Pete _ they are excellent photos of two absolutely beautiful models but ... on my monitor and maybe its how your saving them for posting on the web but the images look flat as in lacking the necessary sharpness and slight color. I adjusted the skin tone and applied USM 125 + 0.5 + 3 to image #4 and it really made a difference to me. I'm sure if your printing prints this isn't the case though.

I do admire your ability to photo these models, something I doubt myself could ever do. Better stick to landscapes, dogs and family ... :rolleyes:

[ReF]

looking for comments again, right? just want to be sure as i don't like commenting on peoples' pictures unless they are asking to point out anything that i find is odd. didn't look at the whole set but some quick observations of what's posted: as blue said, lacking some punch, #5 has it though. #7, maybe it's just me, but i found beach + two piece + jean jacket kind of an odd combo. it worked for the two person shot though, and my opinion may change after looking through the set. also the out of focus person in #7 is distracting.

[24Peter]

OK I'm gonna get a little picky with you Pete _ they are excellent photos of two absolutely beautiful models but ... on my monitor and maybe its how your saving them for posting on the web but the images look flat as in lacking the necessary sharpness and slight color. I adjusted the skin tone and applied USM 125 + 0.5 + 3 to image #4 and it really made a difference to me. I'm sure if your printing prints this isn't the case though.

I do admire your ability to photo these models, something I doubt myself could ever do. Better stick to landscapes, dogs and family ... :rolleyes:
Thanks for the feedback. I think the lack of sharpness has to do with how ImageEvent resizes/displays the images. Did you go to the gallery itself? Take a look at the "original" size on one of the images and let me know if it's any better. On my laptop, the images off this forum and ImageEvent sites look a little flat/soft. On my desktop machine (Dell 24" widescreen) the same images off the web look better and the originals look great. We did have a period of overcast that day and my camera also way underexposed a bunch of shots at the same time so I was dealing with very flat lighting so maybe you're seeing that too. And as I've said before, I almost never sharpen my images in the computer b/c I don't like how the software I use handles it. But most of my originals were pretty good this time sharpness-wise.

Anyway, I had fun and think I'm getting a little better at this whole photography thing. :)

[Bluedog]

Pete I must admit they do look better in your galleries than whats posted here.

I've been getting some prints done from my trip out your way recently and all I've done is adjusted & converted them in Raw Shooter Premium and never edited in anyway with Photoshop and the results using Mpix have been outstanding. Totally not what we see here on the web that requires resizing and beefing the sharpness up with USM and all.

[aparmley]

I always have difficulty in figuring out what to say Peter. So it takes me a little while to reply. This isn't a bad thing, don't think it is. . .

First off - I see a lot of improvement with the light - Gold reflector on some? Helps to have a pair of extra hands I'm sure!

Secondly, again, IQ is wonderful per your usual.

Lastly, I want to say that I really enjoy your series of images each time. they have a quality that escapes my brain at this time, but suffice it to say that the best way I can put it - you have a nice pure natural style about your images. . . I dig that.

I'll agree with Toney that on my monitor the images are just ever so slightly lacking in tonal range, sharpness is personal, but I think a little curves [levels] could pop out the colors and get the tonal range a little help. But, again - thats really personal too - it seems we've been trained to see pop and want to see vibrant colors - some times I desaturate my imagaes slightly because the popping colors isn't what I wanted or thought looked best. . . so again . . . kind of a personal thing as well. . .

Great series!

[24Peter]

Thanks Andy. BTW - nice (new) sig ;)

[aparmley]

Thanks Andy. BTW - nice (new) sig ;)

"Fo'get 'bout it. "

Danke.

[24Peter]

Thanks Vich. I know what you're saying. Olivia does have a wide jaw straight on. But I have to say, that shot of her #4 may be one of my all time favorite shots. I wish the sun was a little hotter (it was quite overcast at that moment) to give it a bit more "pop" but man if that's not a classic look... The other thing is in the moment there are so many things going on that I often don't register how a particular pose will play out. I'm just happy to get a shot in focus and properly exposed. :o But it is something to be more conscious of in the future.
And of course even the prettiest people have their flaws (just look at Don! :eek: ) But that also makes them unique. In any event, I ain't complaining about either one of these women.

[24Peter]

Question: Do you get a fast pace and snap? Or do the models know to give you some time and manage to keep that look? My little portrait experience (not the flare of your glamor shoots) is where they set the clock and control the pace, where I just do a rushed PJ on it hoping to catch a few good moments. Too much control from the photographer might kill the energy I'm thinking, but wondering about your experience with this?
I pretty much set the pace and control the shoot. I suggest clothing, hair, poses, etc. esp. if the model doesn't have much experience. I do try to sense the energy of the shoot and when it wanes either call for a break or try to pick it up. I periodically show my subjects some of the shots to keep them involved. (I must admit I chimp after almost every shot to make sure we're on track but will usually use that as an excuse to act really excited about a particular photo.) I also involve their friends if they bring someone with them - asking questions, telling stories and so on. Frankly it's pretty exhausting (most shoots last 3-4 hours). But there's always big hugs at the end so I must be doing something right. :o

[te1221]

The lighting is much more even and less harsh the second time around. Awesome pics.

What time did you shoot?

[24Peter]

The lighting is much more even and less harsh the second time around. Awesome pics.

What time did you shoot?
Thanks for the kind words te... We shot from 5-8PM a couple of weeks ago. :)