Newest Subject Under My Lens

[gryphon1911]

This is just the beginning of a soon to be fruitful relationship.

I was approached by a friend of mine looking to help out a fellow Army veteran.  He is looking at a career outside the military once his enlistment is complete.  He is working now to be a professional body builder, and is thinking of getting into commercial and fitness modeling.

So, I recommended that we start getting him in front of the camera and the lights right away!

Nikon D700, 24-70/2.8
SB-600 and SB-28 Lumiquest LTP softbox and reflector floor bounce.  I think he has potential.

[pluton]

He has good eye light reflections (from his cornea) which are generally a prerequisite for successful modeling and acting careers.  A larger light source would be nicer...how big is your softbox and how far away was it?

[gryphon1911]

He has good eye light reflections (from his cornea) which are generally a prerequisite for successful modeling and acting careers.  A larger light source would be nicer...how big is your softbox and how far away was it?

I was using a Lumiquest Softbox LTP (17 inches).  I wanted something smaller, directional and edgy; not as intimidating as the 42 inch umbrellas or my giant 7 foot softbox.   

[Ethan]

His Iris and Pupil are merging in color. I would lighten up the Iris a tad.

[gryphon1911]

His Iris and Pupil are merging in color. I would lighten up the Iris a tad.

Thanks for the input, I'll give it a look.

[Anthony]

Fine looking man.

In #1 the folds in the sweater are not attractive.

[gryphon1911]

His Iris and Pupil are merging in color. I would lighten up the Iris a tad.

I checked the original files.  His eyes are that dark.  I believe it has to do with the darker than normal ambient lighting.   His pupils were dilated to get more light and there was very little of his natural brown color left.  The ring that is there is very slight.

[Thomas G]

Handsome man. Seems to rest in himself. Has the right amount of contour.

1: light tinting a tad off? Sweater not matching his figure. Wrinkles in sweater disadvantageous. Uninspriring.
2: this picture stands out. Suits his intention (being a modelling bodybuilder) and yours (teach him to act photogenic) well. Good connection. Also could sell the shirt or ..
3. .. the watch. Great facial expression.

I'm not so much into peoples photos, but aren't these a bit stereotypic?
Probably may help to develop the role, but once settled i'd start something more diverse. I think he's offering that.

Well, I drifted into some level of critique. If that wasn't your intention just let me know and I'll take it out.

[gryphon1911]

Handsome man. Seems to rest in himself. Has the right amount of contour.

1: light tinting a tad off? Sweater not matching his figure. Wrinkles in sweater disadvantageous. Uninspriring.
2: this picture stands out. Suits his intention (being a modelling bodybuilder) and yours (teach him to act photogenic) well. Good connection. Also could sell the shirt or ..
3. .. the watch. Great facial expression.

I'm not so much into peoples photos, but aren't these a bit stereotypic?
Probably may help to develop the role, but once settled i'd start something more diverse. I think he's offering that.

Well, I drifted into some level of critique. If that wasn't your intention just let me know and I'll take it out.

1.  Lighting tint was intentional post processing.
2.  Thanks.  This was his first time in front of a photographers lens outside of selfie-ville.   Believe it or not, bodybuilders can be quite the introverted bunch.   Yes, they may not be inspiring images to us as photographers, but to him and his first experience he quite liked them. 

Are these stereotypical?  Well, yes and they were meant to be.   I'm not about "shock and awe" with the model, especially if they have zero experience.  I went stereotypical right now so that he has some frame of reference of his shots against some others.  Nothing too jarring at first.  Also, this was just head shots and some exposure time.  There was no expectation of trying to "sell anything" from a commercial perspective.  Again...I wanted to reduce stress.

We planned on a few more sessions before really getting into something more substantial.  We have done that and he has a higher level of confidence.  We have a shoot tonight to cover some product shots as well as fitness and bodybuilding shots.

My experience on the photo forums with fitness/bodybuilding shots is that I get quite a bit of backlash, so I stopped sharing them outside of the bodybuilding community.  I just do not want to have to defend myself, the models or the sports they represent in that way.

When we get into more commercial type shoots, I may share those.   Not sure when that will be as after today he has quite a few events that will cover the next 4 months.

[armando_m]

Nice ratioanale on keeping the initial images simple and straight forward

Keeping  him close to the background which shows shadows and crinkles, was intentional ?

[gryphon1911]

Nice ratioanale on keeping the initial images simple and straight forward

Keeping  him close to the background which shows shadows and crinkles, was intentional ?

No, that part was not.  Location site was very limited in space, so quarters were tight.  This was at his apartment.

[Thomas G]

No, that part was not.  Location site was very limited in space, so quarters were tight.  This was at his apartment.

I like the background this way in 2.

[gryphon1911]

Just to be clear to all...I've no problems with anyone commenting, critiquing my images that I share.

It would be the epitome of arrogance if I thought that I knew it all or could not learn from someone else.    Photographers have their perspectives as do non photographers.  All can be valid from their point of view, I cherish them all.

I'm open to all conversations so long as they are not personal attacks, or being down right mean for the sake of being mean.   The best thing about this world is that we do not all agree on everything.  That might sound counter-intuitive, but I feel that gives life a special something.