Snuggly Buggly Wuggly

[Ali]

Well we're all keen on C&C. So I'd like members to go all out on this one. I'll post the exif data later

[Robert]

Lovely image (are we still allowed to say that  )

I wondered about the smoke coming out of the model's head (the cloud behind her head-gear). Is it a 'bug' or a 'feature' ?

The juxtaposition of the girl with the old car seems to work, but I don't see why. rationally I can't work out what the significance of the car is - what is it trying to say? But as I say it seems to work. I'd be interested in what you were trying to achieve here in terms of the 'story' being portrayed.

Great to see you back.

[Ali]

Thanks Robert Definitely a feature. *joke* I see what you mean. I definitely think if it wasn't there we could see the hat a bit better.
The idea was more prim and proper in a hectic setting.  I find that fashion shots seem to work better when you fill the frame with things out of the ordinary. I'm a real fan of this style and I'll probably work on it over the next couple of months. Studio work bores me to death now.

[lousy]

Nice one

Nice to see you back Ali.

The lovely model against the junk yard doesn't appeal to me, but I am assuming you are portraying a kind of 'beauty and the beast' type of scene??? I don't really know.
I would prefer to see a model  in the environs that I am used to seeing them, and that's not to say I am into the fashion thing as I'm not.

Pat

Oh and sorry to hear of your troubles and hope everything goes well for you.

[selwyn]

I am afraid that commentary on the technical qualities of the image is a few leagues above my capability. Looking at the picture I found myself asking questions like how did she get there in those shoes? The picture very much reminds me of my first Sunday morning in South African township of Guguletu. Really well dressed people (the women invariably in white and with some form of headdress) on the way to their various churches across fields and dump sites.

In the forbidden words of TPR – nice one

[U2Slane]

Nice one.... heh heh

I don't know if the colours are a bit dull i.e the red of the car, the green of the grass a bit dull, the colour looks very natural and I think thats what makes it works..


Non Techy view heh heh

[Ali]

Thanks a mil all for the feedback..but Jesus guys, I wanted an ass kickin' not an ass lickin'  .

@Pat - Thanks a mil - as for the picture, would you not go out and buy that dress after seeing that shot? Ah gowan!!!

@Selwyn - I really have to do more travelling, snow boarding doesn't really count :|. I have a few shots in this series, a few even feature an alsation. Yep i think i'm just mad!!

@U2Slane: Thanks a mil. In comparison to my other work I feel this is almost too colourful  Up until now, everything i've done is muted.
Non techy views are good.

[Daky]

Since I have added to the C&C debate it it only fair that I comment too. (Hey one of these days I moght even post an image).

The image works because it takes the subject out of the expected context. I like the way you used a low angle to raise her above the clutter, her pose and expression also puts her above the rubbish.

To nit-pick, I find the boot door sticking out of her back a little off-putting as is the grey pole she seems to be sitting on. Perhaps moving her slightly to the right of the frame would have helped, but you would have had to do some gardening on the weeds then, which are an important part of the scene. Then again she is in a scrap yard.

To use the dreaded phrase "nice shot"

[Robert]

Curious to know what lighting you used. Only available light, off camera flash, studio type lights, or what?

[ReneB]

Nice to have you back Ali.  Well this works for me but there are just 4 things I can point out, which I feel guilty doing because I dont have much portraiture experience but here goes.  The front of the models dress looks over exposed to me, the only other 3 things I can point out is the composition.  The top piece on her hair is cut out, maybe intentional but I like to see the whole image unless abstract.  Also, I think it might have worked better if the door on the left was fully included rather then cropped off and finally... The bag or material on the right foreground is distracting to me.  Am I barred yet?   

[brickee]

Ok Ali, You asked for it.
The colours are great, But I do not care  for the frameing, I feel that it is too tight on the top and left side. I would like to to be able to see her whole headress even thought it is somewhat washed out by the the cloud that she has her head stuck in. Also I would like to saee if that car has a door handle. As for the comtent of the shot IMO it is way to cluttered I find myself filtering through all of the trash and weeds. It's almost like the model is not even in the shot.

Congrats Ali for picking a great photo to draw C&C from our members
NICE ONE
Jim

[Ali]

Hey Guys, really appreciate the great critique. You are all barred

The shot was lit with Soft-box - ( I later broke the modelling light ) I shot mid-day so the sun was high in the sky and it was very contrasty. To be honest, I didn't think a 500W head would be powerful enough as I had to exposure for the sky which left the foreground very very lifeless. From a technical point of view it seems to have worked out though .

[keithjack]

Hi Ali,
Technically its a good shot but it doesnt engage me with the subject, probably because of the lack of eye contact. Colours are vibrant and the idea is sound.

[aedanc]

Hi Ali,

I know this has been here for ages but I've just spotted it now.....

I agree that it's good to have interesting things in the background but in this case I find it just a wee bit too busy. If the intention is to draw the viewers eye to the model then it does not quite work for me as I always end up thinking about an old red Toyota van we had in our family years ago. When you opened the back door so much stuff would fall out that you got a view just like that..........and then it would drive away again. People who knew the van soon learnt not to open the back door.

I agree with Rene about the top being cropped a bit too close, however it's not a big thing.

I'm nervous about what would happen the model if she slipped in those shoes on that yoke she's standing on! No Health and Safety inspector around that day obviously....

Since I'm not allowed to say "nice one" I'll just say that dispite what I've said above it's still a damn fine picture and if I'd taken it I'd be printing it big and hanging it on my wall.

Cheers,

Aedan

[ben]

Hi Ali
Good to hear ya again,long time!
Your image screams editorial kinda tony gavin style. I am a huge fan of off-camera flash at the moment but am just using sppedlights with pocket wizards,am waiting for santa to bring me a travel-pack from bowens. Firstly i do like this image on its tech merits, personally i would like some seperation from the props(Cars) by drawing the model a few feet away and maybe i would have dropped the exp for the sky another 1/2 stop as the grey head piece is competing with the dense clouds. I havent seen ur work in ages and was well impressed with ur web and posts here,seems those sessions with Simon is paying dividends. Anyway lovin the stroby movement...
Ben

[Wonkafan]

I think it's rubbish.

Yup, definately rubbish...in the back of the van. Cant fault the lighting and find the imagekind of quirky - class placed where class shouldn't be, sort of a contrast in a way. I know nuthin about flash, lighting, or whatever this strobist stuff is but as images go I think I can see one that's well done.

So Ali, just popped in for a chat or will you be staying around for a while??

Alan.

[Ali]

Hey Guys, thanks a mil for the excellent critique .. really appreciate the comments.
@Aedan - thanks so much, I don't really know what the exercise of the image was :| lighting, boredom, creativity god only knows. I think more editorial where the shot could be a mix and match of anything and just has a bit of interest. Ahh I'm waffling - If you want a free A3 framed print you can have one. Seriously.

@Ben - Jaysis - a blast from the feckin' past .. haven't seen much of you since that day in Croker !! Was it something i said hehe. Just kiddin' .. thanks for the comments..Simon would be proud to see that comment.. must send him the link...(shameless plug for anotehr member to come back ..lord god what next). Anyway, must check out your work - appreciate the feedback .. must check out Tony Gavin too.

@Alan,

Thanks a mil... I'll be popping in and out .. not allowed on between 9-5 and life is hectic after that so it's hard.. but will try my best to..

[aedanc]

Hi Ali,

Great to see you back, even if it's only now and then.

I'm really touched by your offer of a print, were you in full mental health at the time? It's a super picture and I'll take you up on it if you'll take one of mine. I'm getting a batch framed later this week and I'd be more than happy to put one in for you. I'll PM you about it.

Cheers,

Aedan