"Sarah at Sunset" or "Who Says You Can't Do A Beach Shoot On Long Island" - Glamour 1™ Putting the Glamour Back in Photography!

**mcherry** · 08-25-2006, 02:20 AM

Well after my third day on shooting on a beach, I'm still not where I want to be, but I'm getting closer. Started out with some regular beach shots using natural light and sometimes a California Sunbounce reflector. All was good for the most part, but it's not the look I'm trying to achieve.

I'm trying to get sort of a Playboy studio look on location. I failed again, but I've gotten closer to what I want. I may need to add a second Hensel Porty to my cache of lighting equipment....

Anyway, I thought the shot came out "ok" even if it wasn't what I wanted and thought I would throw it up here to see what you folks thought. This shot here was done with one soft box as a hair, rim light and a ringflash on my porty for fill.Essentially I want another softbox to camera right to bring up highlights on both sides. The highlights on the left side are too hot. I figure the side with the sun (if using two softboxes back there) should be half a stop over the key and the other side a quarter stop over. Then a nice soft fill and a gridded spot on the face. Am I headed in the right direction?

MaNr · 08-25-2006, 04:53 AM

By reading your remarks I think you have this one in the bag. Everything you said that went wrong is true but all you need to do is exactly what your post says and build it up.

Beautiful girl, great background = good shot. Have you PS it at all?

**Jagdoc** · 08-25-2006, 06:13 AM

Except for the left highlights being a little hot, I like the way the light falls off on the right. It adds depth to the image.
I like it.

**johne** · 08-25-2006, 06:52 AM

I understand the striving for perfection. As for me, I think this image is outstanding as it is. Great impact.

John

Photomart · 08-25-2006, 09:08 AM

Dude ... I LOVE this shot. As a photographer who just tryied my hand at 1980 Playboy lighting look (see my other post), I can definitely tell you that everything you said in your own critique sounds absolutely correct. Can't wait to see another with all the lighting adjustments you mention.

What I like best about this shot is that it looks a little like a Frazetta painting (all she needs is a big sword and a sabretooth tiger at her side). Finally -- your beautiful images is proof positive that water doesn't have to be blue to look beautiful. A lesson to all us Texas photographers who shoot at muddy lakes.