Pool/Model Photos

[james 0]

Here are some photos from last weekend's pool shoot. This model was very good in the water:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lens was the 17-40L w/ Seacam Superdome. Lighting was just about everything - Ikelite strobes either on the camera or as remote slaves.

 

Comments and critiques appreciated.

 

James

[loftus 42]

Very nice James. I particularly like the dramatic lighting of #4. You have nice balance of your lighting in the under overs, I presume with a topside and underwater strobe. #5 is just too underexposed for me. The last one, I like the idea, but if her head were turned just a little more to her right, I think the nose would look better.

BTW my umbrella adventure 'folded' so to speak this last weekend due to being a little too vigorous moving the camera through the water. (Otherwise went OK)

Edited September 18, 2007 by loftus

[james 0]

Yeah, an umbrella is sort of like a sea anchor underwater eh? Have to be careful.

 

Good feedback Loftus - I didn't notice about her nose in that last one but the lighting makes it look broken. Doh! Thanks.

 

When you refer to #5 which one is that? It doesn't look underexposed to me. Maybe not all them are showing up for you.

 

James

[loftus 42]

When you refer to #5 which one is that? It doesn't look underexposed to me. Maybe not all them are showing up for you.

 

James

The one with the flowers above her head; I am on my work computer so it may not be showing up the best, though I suspect it would still be a little flat as the eyes do not pop like they do in the other pics.

Jeff (loftus)

 

There is also a double shadow of her nose on that pic, which is a little disconcerting. Sorry if I'm being too picky.

[rodriguezfelix 0]

Is #6 which is underexposed to me, not #5, BTW 3,4,5 are my favorites. Also the last one, besides the broken nose aspect, a little bit more light on the face would be more appealing, and no bubbles (or more.. i don´t know...).

 

Great Job in general. Congrats.

[loftus 42]

Yes, #6, I really like #5 . I can't count.

Edited September 18, 2007 by loftus

[james 0]

Good feedback thanks guys. Damn, lighting is hard! I want to have multiple flash angles but w/o huge light modifiers it's going to result in some weird shadows. I'll keep trying.

 

James

[wagsy 0]

Good one James.

Looks cool.

 

Hey how did you get the spit shots looking like that. She looks even, no real underwater magnification on the bottom half?

[james 0]

Hi Wags,

 

Thanks! I'm still waiting to see some of your shots. Hint hint!

 

I have been working on a lot of over/unders lately. They are the most difficult shot IMO - and most of mine could be a lot better. It seems like either the model looks distorted, the lighting sux, there are water drops on the dome, flare, the model's outfit just doesn't work, etc.

 

I find that if you use a split diopter, unless you are very far back, the above water portion will look too small. So for these I just shot w/o the diopter and aimed to get F16 or so to get as much in focus as possible. That seemed to work pretty well actually.

 

Cheers

James

[loftus 42]

Probably helps to find a model with a nice small rear end as well. I know my wife would complain that the technique makes her rear end look too large.

[Dan Schwartz 0]

James,

 

I just discovered these shots tonight... Great work!

 

Your photos prove the point that there's more to underwater photography than just reef shots.

[cloustalot 0]

cool stuff as usual james

 

i'm collecting costumes and props now - and have 3 girls lined up for january to start shooting in the pool...my only twist will be that my pool is not very deep. 6ft only at the deep end, so this will be creative. should be fun though!

 

C

[james 0]

Wow that's awesome Christa - I'm sure you'll have your hands full with 3 models. I do most of my shooting in the shallow end - you can do just about anything there except for full-length vertical shots.

 

Good luck.

 

Cheers

James

[brandoncole 1]

James-

Well done. Both photographer and model did well!

My favorite is #5, the one with hands crossed, hair flowing, and flowers to the side.

Best,

brandon

[james 0]

Thanks Brandon. I think that's my favorite photo from that shoot too.

 

These aren't even my best photos - as every time I do a shoot I get more ideas and try new lighting techniques.

 

Here are my recent favorites:

 

 

 

 

I'd love to keep shooting - but I don't have a heated pool and it's SO darned cold in TX right now...

 

Cheers

James

[loftus 42]

I'd love to keep shooting - but I don't have a heated pool and it's SO darned cold in TX right now...

Yes the models don't look that great in a drysuit....or blue with goosebumps

Temp's dropped here too, I'll have to turn the heater up for my shoot next weekend, and watch the electric bill go up.

I really like the second one.

Edited December 4, 2007 by loftus

[gciavarella 0]

my preferred photo

http://www.reefpix.org/gallery2/d/18002-1/VC9H8192.jpg

Edited December 4, 2007 by gciavarella

[james 0]

Oh and why is that? :-)

[JoelD 0]

Did you start with models who claimed to know how to swim or did you start with swimmers/divers that were willing to model?

[james 0]

Hi Joel,

 

I started w/ models who claimed to know how to swim. Since they are SO enthusiastic about getting some unique photos, the really try hard and don't mind putting up w/ a stuffy old photographer like me. So that's a pro.

 

A con is that many of them don't look natural underwater. Lambis works with freedivers who also are willing to model for him. His images are awesome.

 

James