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Thanks for looking..........any tips hints more than welcome etc......










Cheers
Dan

They're pretty different to anything I take photos of, that's for sure! I'm out of my depth here...I don't mind these, but I found the reflection in the last quite distracting - the softbox(?) onto the sunglasses looks a bit odd (IMO).

#1 is my preference, by a long shot over the others in this set. Beautiful shot.

#2 is creative, I like this idea, and its a nice set that hallway.

#3, due to the tattoo, I would have either asked to remove either the tatt, or the g (maybe change with a hipster G)

I am liking the perspective you get closer to 17mm, making me think hard about getting somehting wider than my 28-70 (but longer than my 10.5FE).

Underload wrote:They're pretty different to anything I take photos of, that's for sure! I'm out of my depth here...I don't mind these, but I found the reflection in the last quite distracting - the softbox(?) onto the sunglasses looks a bit odd (IMO).

The old "softbox in the glasses" again......have a look at MOST fashion magazine shoots, you can see the softbox in MOST images (pro shot or shity amateur ones like mine) its nothing new.......I could easily clone them out, but i like it!

1 is the preference, but I find the composition to be really lacking. Blowing those blacks again. It'd be nice if you'd learn some control.

2. Meh. I know what you're going for, but even the DOF is weak on the hand so it's not overly successful.

3. Wow... if that's not exactly the most flattering and ugh underwear I don't know what is. I'd be removing the tatt since it doesn't blend with the thong and I'm not sure about the white strap on the top. Really looks out of place. It's sad that you've screwed this one up with DOF, Dan. What the hell is happening with her hands?! They're removing themselves from the focal plane... and it really makes this look amateurish. And stop blowing those blacks.

4. I don't know about this one. Compositionally it's fine but it feels like its lacking something. Further, the "old softbox in the glasses" bit usually doesn't leave it so big from that I remember, nor do we see it so square. It's in an odd place because of the shape of the glasses and it's entirely square so it appears as just a white block on her head.

She's been pixelated! (I wonder if that hurts)...

Anyway, I'm kind of let down on the fourth by the lack of detail. I think you need to learn to exercise some control in post with the user of layers. Skin touching up can be done quickly (since I know you like to work quickly), but if you do the plastic work in a layer you can change the opacity and make a bit of skin detail come through...

And stop blowing those bloody blacks.

Well, this is someting I would like to do, but would be killed, so I shall live vicariously through you.

I like the tattoo back and g-string image. Given the location, it's a more personal, almost candid/hidden type image, and the g-string across the tat suits it. IMHO only

Not bothered by the softbox, like you said, you could easily clone it out, but why bother if you want it there in the first place. Number 1 is my favourite image.

By the way, I nearly didn't look at this thread, I thought it was going to be a photo of a red rock.

Nice pics mate.

i dont know why the softbox reflection in the glasses is an issue
sure for product still photography the reflection would look odd as your meant to be concentrating on the glasses

but in fashion the reflection of the light in the glasses is characteristic of the scene, although youll find a beauty dish is a more flattering shape than a square softbox

the best examples is when they use a huge broncolor parabolic reflector which makes a complex circular orthgonal reflection in any reflective surface and i think it looks mad

anyway dan i like the last since i'm a fashion fan
exposure and angle of light look interesting it's also technically better than the other ones, although i think theother version on your site has abetter pose sense of movement

If you stick a scrim in front of the softbox you will soften the reflection which might be less objectionable.

sorry I can't add anything analytical to the discussion of your shots, but mate, I love all your shots you have ever posted!!

I am a big fan of your work!!

Im A bit of a fan Dan Pardon the pun! The skin tones you image are fantastic.
The colour sats are great as well. I see no problem. Expression of ones own work is their own asset.
Great work
Jethro

Thanks guys appreciate your support.........

dan

Like your work Dan..and don't take too much of what Leigh says to heart, he's harsh cos he loves you and he wants you to learn =]

RE the softbox in the sunnies, a neat little trick to make yourself a super cheap beauty dish is to stick a big piece of black cardboard or material with a big circular hole in it to the front of your softbox and voila - UberBeautyDish™!

beetleboy wrote:Like your work Dan..and don't take too much of what Leigh says to heart, he's harsh cos he loves you and he wants you to learn =]

Lol......no unfortunately he 'really' doesn't like me.....but i take his advice on board even though it seems somewhat repetitive and targeted.....he didn't comment on one of my 'better' sets....so he only goes after my 'crappier' ones

Dan

pfft, those shots are great, very pleasing to the eye...

Hi Dan - some more lovely girls for the boys on the forum. You really do lead an interesting life as a Tog.

Im interetsed to know what you do to get the skin tones looking that good - even though they do look brushed they look good. Is there some on-line tips you can point me in the direction of to start doing my own skin treatment in some of my own shots. Its not something I have ever tried.

Cheers - and looking forward to your next installment

Tough job...

1 and 2 magazine quality to me, no worries.
Agree with tattoo comments in #3. And all the light seems to be coming off the tiles to the right of the model, a bit distracting.

#4 - pity about the floor creeping in on bottom right, lighting doesn't seem as creative as others.

#1 my favourite. Well done.

My 2 cents and I'm no expert.

Your shots always blow me away, because i don't think i could ever get close to replicating them..

Pehpsi wrote:Your shots always blow me away, because i don't think i could ever get close to replicating them..

Dude ur shots 'blow me away' i couldnt take anything moving (like a car) like you do...you should be proud, awesome website too mate!!

Hi Dan,

This is a great set of photos with no. 1 also being my favourite.

There has been some blunt criticism of your photos by others and I guess this is what critiquing is all about, but I have no problem with these. Even no. 2, which has a different approach to using DOF, is your interpretation of the scene and it works quite well.

I publish regularly in magazines, calendars, books etc (13 covers so far) and I can honestly say your work is of a very high standard.

I encourage you to continue experimenting and good luck.

Cheers

I agree Michael.

I think sometime's Dan can have the odd "miss" but generally he knocks 'em outta the park but cops some pretty harsh criticism. I like the way he's constantly looking for new angles and experimenting.

Dan, I show your work to lots of people, and EVERY ONE of them says, "I want to shoot with him".

Thats a solid indication you are kicking butt, however, I like the way others have a go at you, so you can get both positive and negative feedback, I'm sure you like that too.

Oz_Beachside wrote:i like the way others have a go at you, so you can get both positive and negative feedback, I'm sure you like that too.

hey yeah i agree with that, i wouldn't have a while ago.....but now i take it all with a grain of salt....there is only ONE person on this site who's critique i don't take any notice of.......Thankyou all who have had nice words to say about my work, keeps me going!!

I'd still listen to whomever that is... sometimes he/she might have valid points, but they might write it using strong voice...

anyway, a friend wants to fly to Sydney to shoot with you

top stuff, as usual

Dan, whilst I have no credentials to justify a critique, I really enjoy your work. What really strikes me about your captures though is how the models all seem so confident - you're extending them and trying something different - but yet they appear to be relishing it and putting themselves out there for you. I would love to hear about how you get that right, that has got to be an artform in itself.

Thanks for sharing.

Gary

Cre8tivepixels wrote:he didn't comment on one of my 'better' sets....so he only goes after my 'crappier' ones

Dan

this is far from a crappy set. like someone else mentioned. i love the creativity, different perspective and new angles you bring. thank you for sharing.

i still remember your lightning series i heard on 2UE from quite a while back. awesome stuff.

I just love #1, wish I could shoot like that!