"Pull on your hair, just pull on your pout..."

***schmoo*** · Mar-31-2009, 08:52 AM

About a week ago I posted a shot from a session I had with a talented young model. I promised him the photos in about a week so here they are fresh off the polishing block.

He had two ideas in mind, the first being a Robert Smith type look. He does a lot of work doing a punk or rock and roll kind of image (which I agree suits him) but he was looking for something a little softer and maybe even more tragic. Being a huge Cure fan since I was his age, I accepted.

Clarion Alley was a great place to shoot. Lots of urban backdrops every ten feet, for every quirky palette.

The second thing he had in mind was a little more Tim Burton, so he broke out a striped outfit from his (very well-packed) backpack:

We had walked around the Haight for a bit looking for a simple black umbrella:

I think I may have missed the mark on this one. I chose two lenses to work with on this day, and the 24mm TS was the other:

The Beating Sun:

That said I had a great time working with him and since I don't have much experience working with models, I think he may have ruined me with working with people in the future.

Many thanks to zweiblumen for being a fantastic assistant and lighting guy, and dadwtwins for lending me his gear.

***DavidTO*** · Mar-31-2009, 09:51 AM

Schmoo, you know this isn't my thing, but I think they look awesome!!!

Cuties02q · Mar-31-2009, 10:20 AM

I think they are really great!!

**Agnieszka** · Mar-31-2009, 10:33 AM

How FUN!!!

I think the ones in the woods are my favorites, but they're all fabulous!

divamum · Mar-31-2009, 10:52 AM

This whole series is just fantastic - talk about capturing EXACTLY what you set out to do with style and a really individual stamp on them (both from him and you). STUNNING!

Nikolai · Mar-31-2009, 03:10 PM

Great series, Steph!

jeffreaux2 · Mar-31-2009, 04:06 PM

Super DOF on #2!

***ian408*** · Mar-31-2009, 05:02 PM

Sweet stuff! And the 24 t/s worked well.

heatherfeather · Mar-31-2009, 08:12 PM

I really enjoy the TS look with this. I had a lot of enjoyment looking through the set and figuring out which lens you used for which shot. Really fun!

One thing that is interesting is that his expression remains the same through these shots even while he is doing really expressive things with his body. I wonder if that is just his style or more particular to the styles you both were attempting to replicate?

Really fun set! Nice to see you in the people section, Schmoo!

dadwtwins · Apr-01-2009, 07:59 AM

I think you did an outstanding job. The black cloths made your lighting much more difficult and you still were able to pull it off. Great job

This guy has a great look for your alley way of choice. As a serious die hard cure fan, you did them justice.

NeilL · Apr-01-2009, 09:46 AM

Schmoo, these are an intriguing bunch!

I don't think they are quite 'there' - not for me, anyway. I think I would have liked the model to be a little less self-camera-conscious. He is a bit static, striking poses and then waiting for the camera to snap him.

But, I am really talking to myself here, because I cannot get this - relating to the camera but not focusing on the camera, and the sense of fluidity - yet in my shots, and I really want to!

I have some ideas, and I'm experimenting, and posts like yours are very interesting from that perspective of mine.

#9 (?) is the most exciting for me. How about it in b&w, and getting the stripes of his costume doing something with the wonderful twisting lines of the tree branches? Do you see it?

Swartzy · Apr-01-2009, 01:33 PM

Schmoo...I think the shots are kinda cool....cool in a way that they are somewhat radical. These are screaming for that type of processing. Super saturated colors.....or, the mainstream of today's mindset....desaturated with textures. A few already have the selective blur going due to the TS. If you'd like me to work one up for you, let me know as a provided example. Good for you getting out and shooting peeps...fun.

Darren Troy C · Apr-01-2009, 03:33 PM

Trent Reznor's Double, I tell ya!!!! Great work, Schmoo!

Dee · Apr-01-2009, 05:58 PM

It looked like he was a fun model to work with. Love the colorful backgrounds. So are you enjoying the left coast?

**Llywellyn** · Apr-01-2009, 06:17 PM

Very cool set!

Looks like he was a blast to work with.

Travis · Apr-01-2009, 06:48 PM

These are awesome, creating a bizarre goth verses new wave effect. Then you add the woods and I start thinking of something that Alice in Wonderland would encounter if it were written in the future!

Shima · Apr-01-2009, 07:55 PM

Schmoo these are great, love the mood of the photos and the processing.

Eia · Apr-02-2009, 05:28 AM

These are great; number 7 of his profile is probably my favorite along with the last. In the last one I wonder if his striped outfit is competing with the back ground? For me it is just a tiny bit busy and I can't focus on him as much. But I am not an expert however am learning and picking up pointers here! It looks like you had fun!!!

***schmoo*** · Apr-02-2009, 09:23 AM

Wow I am really stunned at the response. Thanks so much, people! The support for my wonky jury-rigged model shooting is heartening.

Especially since I have such major social anxiety, working with a sentient being as my subject is nerve-wracking.

I have had mixed reviews when I showed these to non-photographer friends and acquaintances. Most of them are female and I got a lot of "he's not my type" which was an interesting study into why we look at photos of models.

Anyway, I can definitely understand feedback suggesting the bg was a bit busy (it was a tough one with the trees). Also, I can understand that maybe some more hardcore PP is necessary to make these really slip into the "mood" but I'm not really good at that. So sure Swartzy and anyone who has an idea, I'd love to see what you might have had in mind?

Swartzy · Apr-02-2009, 10:53 AM

Oh goodie goodie....I get to play

I'll do one up when I get back from an appt. This should be fun

Mar-31-2009, 08:52 AM	#1
*schmoo* Got marmot? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 6,894	"Pull on your hair, just pull on your pout..." About a week ago I posted a shot from a session I had with a talented young model. I promised him the photos in about a week so here they are fresh off the polishing block. He had two ideas in mind, the first being a Robert Smith type look. He does a lot of work doing a punk or rock and roll kind of image (which I agree suits him) but he was looking for something a little softer and maybe even more tragic. Being a huge Cure fan since I was his age, I accepted. Clarion Alley was a great place to shoot. Lots of urban backdrops every ten feet, for every quirky palette. The second thing he had in mind was a little more Tim Burton, so he broke out a striped outfit from his (very well-packed) backpack: We had walked around the Haight for a bit looking for a simple black umbrella: I think I may have missed the mark on this one. I chose two lenses to work with on this day, and the 24mm TS was the other: The Beating Sun: That said I had a great time working with him and since I don't have much experience working with models, I think he may have ruined me with working with people in the future. Many thanks to zweiblumen for being a fantastic assistant and lighting guy, and dadwtwins for lending me his gear. __________________ Moderator of Landscapes & Smuggy Ghostwriter Interesting stuff: Found on Smug + Let there be LIGHT Useful stuff: SmugMug Help // Release Notes Not-as-useful stuff: Schmootography // 365-ish // Do you Haiku?

Mar-31-2009, 10:20 AM	#3
Cuties02q Shooting In Chicago Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 643	I think they are really great!! __________________ Part time photographer...Full time mommy My equiment: Nikon D50, Nikon D300, SB-600, 30mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, 70-200mm 2.8 WEBSITE BLOG

Mar-31-2009, 10:33 AM	#4
Agnieszka Photoshopping ... Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,355	How FUN!!! I think the ones in the woods are my favorites, but they're all fabulous! __________________ Angie Nikon D3 , D200, D80 Nikkor 12-24 (4) \| 50 (1.4) \| 60 (2.8 micro) \| 24-70 (2.8) \| 70-200 (2.8) >> Seling my Nikon 12-24, f4 - Anybody interested? << my blog\| my website Moderator of Weddings How to post photos in a thread

Mar-31-2009, 10:52 AM	#5
divamum Major grins Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,348	This whole series is just fantastic - talk about capturing EXACTLY what you set out to do with style and a really individual stamp on them (both from him and you). STUNNING! __________________ http://divamum.blogspot.com

Mar-31-2009, 03:10 PM	#6
Nikolai Darth SLR Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: La LA land Posts: 17,454	Great series, Steph! __________________ "May the f/stop be with you!" StarExplorer: on Dgrin, home Dgrin Assignments, Dgrin Shootouts, My Facebook, @DarthSLR, #NiksTips member: NAPP, PPA, partner: Adobe Comprehending life, universe and everything - one pixel at a time*

Mar-31-2009, 09:51 AM	#2
*DavidTO* 1/f Join Date: May 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 16,042	Schmoo, you know this isn't my thing, but I think they look awesome!!! __________________ Moderator of The Refinery \| Action! ARQG \| Post A Pic \| Nice Tutes! \| Me! How To Do Most Anything on Dgrin! Photography Workshops \| Muench University

Mar-31-2009, 04:06 PM	#7
jeffreaux2 Grinning...and bearing it Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 4,356	Super DOF on #2! __________________ Thanks, Jeff -Need help with Dgrin?; Wedding Photography Resources -My Website - Blog - Tips for Senior Portraiture

Mar-31-2009, 05:02 PM	#8
*ian408* More wag. Less Bark. Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 14,629	Sweet stuff! And the 24 t/s worked well. __________________ Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?

Mar-31-2009, 08:12 PM	#9
heatherfeather Major grins Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 2,306	I really enjoy the TS look with this. I had a lot of enjoyment looking through the set and figuring out which lens you used for which shot. Really fun! One thing that is interesting is that his expression remains the same through these shots even while he is doing really expressive things with his body. I wonder if that is just his style or more particular to the styles you both were attempting to replicate? Really fun set! Nice to see you in the people section, Schmoo! __________________ Heather my website facebook

Apr-01-2009, 07:59 AM	#10
dadwtwins Forever a Novice Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 736	I think you did an outstanding job. The black cloths made your lighting much more difficult and you still were able to pull it off. Great job This guy has a great look for your alley way of choice. As a serious die hard cure fan, you did them justice. __________________ My Homepage -->http://dthorp.smugmug.com My Photo Blog -->http://dthorpphoto.blogspot.com/

Apr-01-2009, 09:46 AM	#11
NeilL B+R=M,B+G=C,R+G=Y Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,382	Schmoo, these are an intriguing bunch! I don't think they are quite 'there' - not for me, anyway. I think I would have liked the model to be a little less self-camera-conscious. He is a bit static, striking poses and then waiting for the camera to snap him. But, I am really talking to myself here, because I cannot get this - relating to the camera but not focusing on the camera, and the sense of fluidity - yet in my shots, and I really want to! I have some ideas, and I'm experimenting, and posts like yours are very interesting from that perspective of mine. #9 (?) is the most exciting for me. How about it in b&w, and getting the stripes of his costume doing something with the wonderful twisting lines of the tree branches? Do you see it? __________________ Don't measure time in days and hours, and the seconds last forever brosepix.com

Apr-01-2009, 01:33 PM	#12
Swartzy Right Brained Scientist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 3,207	Schmoo...I think the shots are kinda cool....cool in a way that they are somewhat radical. These are screaming for that type of processing. Super saturated colors.....or, the mainstream of today's mindset....desaturated with textures. A few already have the selective blur going due to the TS. If you'd like me to work one up for you, let me know as a provided example. Good for you getting out and shooting peeps...fun. __________________ Swartzy NAPP Member Canon Shooter Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye. http://www.daveswartzphotography.com Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552

Apr-01-2009, 03:33 PM	#13
Darren Troy C Columbia, SC Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,569	Trent Reznor's Double, I tell ya!!!! Great work, Schmoo!

Apr-01-2009, 05:58 PM	#14
Dee Major grins Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 2,972	It looked like he was a fun model to work with. Love the colorful backgrounds. So are you enjoying the left coast? __________________ http://www.deegolden.smugmug.com http://www.twitter.com/deegolden Check out my photo stamps http://www.zazzle.com/deegolden/ Check out my blurb book http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/119594

Apr-01-2009, 06:17 PM	#15
Llywellyn Temperamental Irishwoman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,943	Very cool set! Looks like he was a blast to work with. __________________ Kerry Black Cat Photography • Word of the Day Photo Project • The Scratching Post Photo Blog • Twitter Moderator of the DGrin Challenges—Sponsored by SmugMug

Apr-01-2009, 06:48 PM	#16
Travis Beachside Grins Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,383	These are awesome, creating a bizarre goth verses new wave effect. Then you add the woods and I start thinking of something that Alice in Wonderland would encounter if it were written in the future! __________________ Travis Owney Photography My Images \| My Lessons Learned and Other Adventures ---------------------------------------- Nikon D300, Nikon 18-200mm, Sigma 50 - 500mm, Nikon SB_900, Vivitar 285HVs, Alien Bee 800 Softbox, Sekonic 358 Lightmeter

Apr-01-2009, 07:55 PM	#17
Shima The Ring Queen Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Burlingame, CA Posts: 2,034	Schmoo these are great, love the mood of the photos and the processing. __________________ My Photography Site \|\| My Gear List Facebook: Friend / Fan \|\| Twitter: @shimamizu

Apr-02-2009, 05:28 AM	#18
Eia Major grins Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,006	These are great; number 7 of his profile is probably my favorite along with the last. In the last one I wonder if his striped outfit is competing with the back ground? For me it is just a tiny bit busy and I can't focus on him as much. But I am not an expert however am learning and picking up pointers here! It looks like you had fun!!! __________________ __________________________________________ www.eikon.smugmug.com The word amateur has been redefined throughout the years and has lost the gleam of its original meaning. The English word comes from the Latin word amore, which means to love. An amateur is someone who does something simply for the love of it.

Apr-02-2009, 09:23 AM	#19
*schmoo* Got marmot? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 6,894	Wow I am really stunned at the response. Thanks so much, people! The support for my wonky jury-rigged model shooting is heartening. Especially since I have such major social anxiety, working with a sentient being as my subject is nerve-wracking. I have had mixed reviews when I showed these to non-photographer friends and acquaintances. Most of them are female and I got a lot of "he's not my type" which was an interesting study into why we look at photos of models. Anyway, I can definitely understand feedback suggesting the bg was a bit busy (it was a tough one with the trees). Also, I can understand that maybe some more hardcore PP is necessary to make these really slip into the "mood" but I'm not really good at that. So sure Swartzy and anyone who has an idea, I'd love to see what you might have had in mind? __________________ Moderator of Landscapes & Smuggy Ghostwriter Interesting stuff: Found on Smug + Let there be LIGHT Useful stuff: SmugMug Help // Release Notes Not-as-useful stuff: Schmootography // 365-ish // Do you Haiku?

Apr-02-2009, 10:53 AM	#20
Swartzy Right Brained Scientist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 3,207	Oh goodie goodie....I get to play I'll do one up when I get back from an appt. This should be fun __________________ Swartzy NAPP Member Canon Shooter Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye. http://www.daveswartzphotography.com Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552

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