studio 004: Marika

[Ernest]

Marika
I love Poland

It's my recent photo session, with beautiful Marika. Some more images soon.
Did it with Nikon D700, Nikkor 50mm/1.8, 2 x 200Ws (one softbox, one beamer(?) - i don't know english name of this stuff)...

Cheers!

[Ted Byrne]

Hot model? Check. Powerful composition? Check. Masterful lighting? Check....

Okay... now that's all outta the way... I'm back to your palette again (just as in your chilling "Yellow Bus" image). The subtle cyan wash, coupled with the brilliant trail of red cloth echoing red lips are a;; emotional bludgeons. They mug my imagination through a powerful manipulation of mood. You are such a master of the color wheel to manipulate your viewers... No... no... I think the better word is, "exploit."

Yep, that's a strong word, but like most fine artists you are a control freak (as am I, and almost everyone else who posts here) and your ability to control feelings with palette is simultaneously profound and fun (not mutually exclusive thoughts I hope).

Thanks a lot for sharing.

Ted

[Ernest]

Wow nice to hear (read) that! I appreciate very much

Never thought that i can make such feeling in viewer

Next:

[aprilS]

(To the first image)

I imagine a challenge: "If you're ready to take my virginity/enter into me, are you also ready to take responsibility for what follows?" That's from my feminine point of view. But, she looks much more like a siren than a virgin. So...

(In the context of the second image, as a series)

"You betrayed me" or "I suckered you", and "now you die."

Technically and aesthetically, I find both beautiful. And I'm intrigued that the model/photographer relationship seems much more seamless in these recent photos -- so the impact is more about my direct experience with her.

Conceptually, I'm thinking "movies" -- perhaps "Sin City." But that is not to minimize their refinement!

[eob]

I am feeling a bit uneasy about "amputated" legs in the first shot. Other than that, I generally agree with both comments above.

[Ernest]

Thank you for the comments

[aprilS]

Overnight I wondered... And learned this morning that Marika is draped in the Polish flag. Knowing that helps clarify the image for me.

[Ernest]

Yes, this is Polish flag

[Theo]

nice images on all three, putting my jealousy aside i find the focus and the content all all three provocative and captivating. The model must be very comfortable with you! again nice job.

(I would love to shoot models let alone nudes, but alas my wife probably wouldn't let me )

[eob]

In the third shot, I find the composition a little off-balance. I would rather see more of Marika's head, with some room to breath, than her right buttock (whose shape competes with the shape of her rounded shoulder line). Perhaps lower view point would work a bit better. But that's my personal opinion. Others may not agree with me...

Anyways, it's an interesting experiment with posing and lighting.

Theo, shooting nudes doesn't have to be treated like a forbidden fruit. Models (and wives) are much more likely to give you a go-ahead if you treat them with respect and explain your motives.

[Theo]

"Theo, shooting nudes doesn't have to be treated like a forbidden fruit. Models (and wives) are much more likely to give you a go-ahead if you treat them with respect and explain your motives." Understood about respect but you don't know my wife lol, Some of my best art was during a figure drawing class but i don't think i'll ever be able to do that again   "my wife puts the pure in puritan"

[aprilS]

Image #3 makes me think of swimming up from the depths of the sea -- perhaps a mermaid? Or, a snake symbolizing temptation and danger.

I'm intrigued by the very bold, but enticing, point of view in the frame. Along with the sinuous lines, starting with the lines of her eye, brow and lips (and hair) leading back along her body. I also enjoy how the color of her iris is echoed in the flesh tones. Remembering Ted's comment, however, is there also a touch of contrasting cyan in the treatment?

I do agree with eob that the shape behind her left shoulder throws me/is a distraction as I try to parse the form.

Overall, I'm quite taken with the contrast of seduction and challenge in this image.

[Ernest]

Very interesting comments, thank you! That's my first nude session, so it was more like experimenting with this and that than intended shots. Please remember that
Next shot probably will make different reactions. It's not at all about beauty of woman's body, but i wanted to play with the light and shadows more, so i created quite deep shadows on her body (and i like that just in a matter of plasticity):

[Theo]

"Next shot probably will make different reactions. It's not at all about beauty of woman's body, but i wanted to play with the light and shadows more, so i created quite deep shadows on her body (and i like that just in a matter of plasticity):"

not kidding on that one. Well you did a good job at shadows and highlights nice lighting not flattering but for what you described it works well. Got a ?? though did you use a gold tone reflector to get the inside light it looks a lot more warm than the back/head light?

[Ernest]

I used just one softbox and one point-light, no blendas (reflectors), nothing more