Studio Test Shoot with Peggy
More than a month ago I did another test shoot in the studio with Peggy. A couple of years ago, when I got just started as a photographer, I already worked with her. She remember me as that pretty shy guy who came into her house with a load of pvc tubes and a speedlite (diffusion panel). I must admit that at that time I was pretty nervous as I was very honored this experienced model would want to work with a noob like me. On top of that it was my very first lingerie session. But the pictures came out pretty well and Peggy still uses some of those images in her portfolio.
This time I was still nervous. Not because she’s even more experienced now or because it was going to be lingerie, but because I didn’t have much of a clue what to shoot. I knew I wanted to work with just one light and a grey backdrop but that was about it. Luckily Peggy came to the rescue with some clever outfits and some amazing poses.
I still feel I’m struggling a bit in the studio. When I play it safe I’m sure I can come up with decent pictures, but I want more than just decent. I’m pretty happy with the results of this session as I think it’s another step into the right direction to develop my own studio style. As usual, your input is very welcome.
I like poses, of great model, and your light. Light are something special.
First pics you’ve showed (the ones with the bag) were dark but the others I see here are Really Really dark. I’m sure that was intentional but for me – too dark. I’d love some more light especialy on the last in second and third line. my favorite is first in the second line! Love it!
thx
@WWj: they are rather low key but on my calibrated screen they look exactly as I want them to look.
Hi Bert,
Good to see you are working in your studio now. I must agree on the comment from WWj. For my feeling the last four are a bit to dark. I have a calibrated screen as well (thank to LIME). But you must have done that intentional, just like the lack of color on her skin. But like I said, that is all my preference. I like photo’s with clear contrast and bold colors. The first two sure show me you know how to work the lights.
In the middle row I spotted some cracks in the paper on the photo to the left. Maybe a bit of photoshop can help that.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Kind regards,
Frank Fonteijn
What is your focus? They are nice pictures of a pretty girl, but nothing catches my eye. I don’t feel drawn to any part of the picture. It doesn’t have to be eyes or mouth or even face, but I need something more than girl. Like others has mentioned, I would have liked more contrast from shadows to light.
I think you did really well. I love the tones on the background, if you don’t mind explaining how you lit that so well and with such balance I’d be really happy!
And, for sure, this model is something extra. Love the eye contact, she sees right into me from every picture – even the ones with shades and when she looks away has that kind of electric presence that the really great models produce.
You should be proud of the results here, I know it is a test shoot so you probably don’t have a theme or well defined purpose hammered out so that is okay, sometimes you just need to goof around and do tests also, but that is not a problem here in my opinion because the intensity she portrays in the pictures and the manner in which you are able to portrait that through your photographs are really nice.
Well done!
/Ichi from Sweden
I find the pics too dark.
I think dark pics are ok if there was some background references that will indicate a “dark” mood.
With just the plain background, it looks underexposed.
In my opinion, dark, on this photos are great.
These are awesome
I love the first ones especially where she has the white bag. The contrast there is awesome.
They are very dark, but I really like them, maybe some background interest as mentioned by Pepin would of helped.
Thx all for your comments, I really appreciate it
I’m actually happy with the mixed feelings about the darkness of the pics. Sometimes I just don’t want to make images that please everyone.
@Frank: yeah, I really need to learn to avoid those cracks with studio backgrounds
@Geoff: I guess the focus is harder to find if you don’t know Peggy. She gets (too) often asked for a certain kind of photography and I want to show another side of her.
@Ichimusai: All except for the second picture (just a standard reflector) are done with just one Elinchrom Ranger head in a medium Chimera softbox. I tried to play around with fall off.