Snake & model

[armando_m]

A photographer friend called because his wife wanted some shots that he did not wanted to take

In the end he took some photos, but wanted to avoid directing and eventually getting into an argument with his wife, I tend to understand him , when I try to work with my wife we clash.

My friend got the guy with snake ,the studio, lights, etc ... I just clicked the shutter and gave them the images, they do not like post processed photos, so, I'm done, no pending activities except editing to my liking whichever image I please

Here is a sample

[black_bird_blue]

It sounds like kind of an unsatisfactory outcome all round.

I get no sense of whether the wife is happy with the pictures or not, but it feels like a bit of a lost opportunity to me. Snakes are pretty dramatic but the lighting is very "school photo" esque. It's the kind of setup I used to use when I wanted to be safe, but there's no art in it. Why not some dramatic cross-lighting or a black background?

I will be interested to see which photo(s) you choose and how you edit them, but this is feeling like a pale canvas indeed. It's a shame because the subject had/has so much potential!

[armando_m]

Thanks for commenting

Yes she was happy with pictures

[Anthony]

Best not to get involved in a disagreement between husband and wife.

[golunvolo]

I´m not sure I´ll ever work with just studio lights. Will see...but that makes me interested in this kind of work. I agree the set up has potential and even more to "Best not to get involved in a disagreement between husband and wife."

  The image itself is more one-dimensional that what you usually produce, Armando. Is this your friend´s set up?
  I will like to see more if you have them.


   Thanks!

[armando_m]

yes it is his light setup

Light ended up very even, usually what happens with 2 lights and an all white studio, light spill and bounce all over the place, there was a third light which stayed unused 

This images has a bit more shadows

[David H. Hartman]

Lovely snake!

Dave

The devil made me type that.

I'll agree on the light being flat. I get a feeling the wife wasn't quite comfortable. I think the shot deserves another try.

[armando_m]

you can say that , the owner of the snake warned us all
"do not make sudden moves, if you do it will bite you, I'll handle the snake.
If it does bite you do not try to pull your self off, just wait until it releases you"
Have  you been bitten?
"yes, it has a bad  temper, I'll put the snake on you and imagine that you are a tree"

Nothing happened, but we were a bit tense, and since she could not do sudden moves, she was a bit stiff

Of course this has nothing to with the flat light but it did affect everyone's mood

[tommiejeep]

Armando, what to say  .  I hate shooting for friends.  With these two attractive models I would have made it darker and probably would have pulled out the Gary Fong diffuser (the long silver one with more of a Spotlight effect   ) since I've never used studio lights, but I like Dramatic . .   To me it is nice but not one that would catch my attention for long or stick in my memory.  You do such a great job of shooting women it appears too many chiefs  .  I wold have liked the heads closer together but she may have not liked that idea.  A shot where all eyes  are focal points.  I guess if she likes them so....

I'd like to see Elsa's comments since the two of you are two of my favourites when it comes to shooting women.
Cheers,
Tom
Edit:  Interesting that the owner sort of set the mood with the warnings.   We have many snakes and I have a couple of Snake Men that I call if I am concerned or do not recognize the snake.  When they take people out for snake tours (releasing snakes back into the wild) they normally concentrate on how to handle snakes not the personalities of an individual snake.  Was the owner there?

[armando_m]

Tom, thank you for your observations, yes the owner was there, handling the Boa constrictor

[David H. Hartman]

...or maybe another shoot isn't necessary.

I had a California king snake for while. It was a juvenile and I feed it pinkie mice. I was told not to feed it in its terrarium as it will learn to strike when you reach in. The California king snake is a constrictor like the boa. It strikes and rapidly winds in a ball around it prey and suffocates it before swallowing it whole. Having seen a king snake feed I wouldn't mess with even a small boa. I think the boa have a sharp set of teeth. I feed my king snake in a cardboard box for a very different environment.

Dave who now thinks the lady looks very relaxed.

[Mongo]

the photo quality is very good as one has come to expect from you.
 
However, Mongo does not understand why they needed you or any other photographer if they effectively wanted NO direction, No post processing etc and only wanted someone to press the shutter button ??

It is an interesting experience that you have conveyed and glad it seems to have ended well nonetheless.

[Hugh_3170]

Well David, I must respectfully disagree.  The lady looks absolutely petrified to my tired old eyes, which is mainly why the image does not work for me.  The flat lighting seems to also amplify her scared look.

A pity really - two good subjects that on their own would be great to work with, but I do not personally believe that they work well together.

.............................................................

Dave who now thinks the lady looks very relaxed.

[David H. Hartman]

Well David, I must respectfully disagree.  The lady looks absolutely petrified to my tired old eyes, which is mainly why the image does not work for me.  The flat lighting seems to also amplify her scared look.

Yes, but I'd be totally freaking out with that snake around my neck.

[Hugh_3170]

Me too!   

Yes, but I'd be totally freaking out with that snake around my neck.