Tai Chi

[grumblecat]

So the model did all these tai chi moves (looked great in person) but I think I missed most of the best angles some how. This was one of the better ones.

I'm looking to improve so I'd like feedback (even from Christian)

Model is Laura




Thanks

Gary Roberts

[jimmyd]

personally, i've always been fascinated by tai chi and have wanted to find & shoot an appropriate model who is accomplished in it. you lit the shot nicely. i think you could have driven your levels a little harder to increase the contrast.

[grumblecat]

thanks, I always push the levels then back off cuz I'm scared. But good to know I'm going just go with it next time.

On the Tai Chi thing. What I ran into that challenged me was that in many of the shots her legs looked big or short or both. I think to photograph it well they have to know the move and know how to model and understand how to bring them together. This girl was very inexperienced (much like me) so we had fun and did what we could do.

[RonC]

I like the shot a lot,..I'm inclined to agree with Jimmy about a touch more contrast,..but it's a matter of personal tastes, (and monitors probably), as are most things mentioned in a critique, I think anyway. I think I would have liked to see a little more light on her legs, but the shot does standout nicely and looks great to me. It's fun to capture "action glamour",..the "poses" look so natural [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Anyway, that's my 2 cents,...I'm trying to learn critiqueing [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
Keep up the good work,.post some of the other shots.

Oh,..rule 10..

[lobofw]

If you don't mind, these are JMO.
I do like the shot and concept of this, I think it may be a little on the dark side for me, but that would be a personal thing I guess.

As for capturing the movement, I think you have a good start with it. Tai Chi is about fluid movement if I remember my martial arts right. Been waaayyyy too long.
Think of it as a form of ballet or meditation in motion. Some movements are explosive yet suttle. As with my steer roping shots, I never know where the action will be, but I know the movements that will take place. I believe photographing any martial art form would be the same. If she is in motion, try different view points to shoot from.
If the legs or arms seem out of sorts, maybe a different lens is needed.

Capturing any sport is finding the right viewpoint I feel.
If I'm off base here, I hope someone let's me know. (ducking before Christian throws a smarta$$ remark) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

The right view gives the desired feel to it.