Mazetis Photography wrote:
Sure... I'm in !

Yes, you definitely have a background in structural.  When you're out of the studio, I can see your eye for surroundings.  It's quite a difference, going from inanimate subjects to live ones, isn't it?

Favorite



You definitely need to do more outside work, and more with this particular model.  I loved this whole series, really, but this is a great summation of that group of shots.

Least Favorite



I'll give you a hint here.  When you're trying to do "sexy", it never looks sexy.  Sexy in photos really is something that happens more spontaneously, when the model isn't trying.

Would I shoot with you?

Sure, I'd TF with you.  I'd definitely want to challenge your sensibilities of what a "correct" pose looks like, though.

Scott.... wrote:

Yes, you definitely have a background in structural.  When you're out of the studio, I can see your eye for surroundings.  It's quite a difference, going from inanimate subjects to live ones, isn't it?

Favorite



You definitely need to do more outside work, and more with this particular model.  I loved this whole series, really, but this is a great summation of that group of shots.

Least Favorite



I'll give you a hint here.  When you're trying to do "sexy", it never looks sexy.  Sexy in photos really is something that happens more spontaneously, when the model isn't trying.

Would I shoot with you?

Sure, I'd TF with you.  I'd definitely want to challenge your sensibilities of what a "correct" pose looks like, though.

Hello Scott,

I appreciate your comments. 15 year background in structural. 4 months with modeling. You can tell the difference. Your 100% correct... It's quite a difference going to live subjects.

The favorite you picked.... is my sister in law and my first shoot. We did this as a gift for her husband. I also agree I need to do more outside work. It fits me better than studio work but need to learn there too. "Sexy in photos" I really need to work on it and I will.

Thank you for your time and effort.

Mazetis Photography wrote:
The favorite you picked.... is my sister in law and my first shoot. We did this as a gift for her husband.

That's interesting that you mention this.  It is so much easier to get natural looking sexy, natural looking couple shots, etc, when there is an actual emotional connection.

Great example, from the outstanding local 'tog that has helped me build my port:



Completely and totally natural.  Hard to get that out of two people that just met at the shoot.

Scott.... wrote:

For a beginner, you're off to a pretty good start in portrait work.  You were fortunate, in that several of these ladies really, really know how to pose (particularly mohawk girl) - but you're doing a great job with your lighting, particularly the soft-light - something that takes a very delicate hand to succeed.

Favorite



This was tough, because her profile shot with the fetish outfit was just as potent.  I think this was your best overall capture of a form.

Least Favorite



Nothing working here - her pose is meh, her expression is meh, half her face is obscured by shadow - it's a bit of a train-wreck.

Would I shoot with you?

I would send rates.  I get the feeling you're still very dependent on the model knowing what to do on her own to be successful.

Thanks very much, I've only done 3 shoots as I work overseas mainly so am rarely able to shoot and in the UK.  I have a long, long, long way to go yet.

Richard Cockburn wrote:
I'd really value your opinion

Dangit, two Melbourne photogs now, and only three or four beach shots between you?

I'd drag my old AES-1 out and shoot with that backdrop handy every day! 

Anyway...

As a new port, I like that you're experimenting with technique, angle, etc.  That said, there are pics in here that look very amateurish.  If it were me, I'd lose 'em.

Favorite



A decidedly different take on the schoolgirl pose.  Very nice.

Least Favorite



I get that he probably talked you into taking this shot.  Doesn't mean I recommend it in your port.

Would I shoot with you?

I would send rates.  There isn't enough here to make me think that you would have a clear vision for a shoot with me.

XSilkX wrote:
I'm in

You're a model, sweetie.  This is for photographers.

Scott.... wrote:

That's interesting that you mention this.  It is so much easier to get natural looking sexy, natural looking couple shots, etc, when there is an actual emotional connection.

Great example, from the outstanding local 'tog that has helped me build my port:



Completely and totally natural.  Hard to get that out of two people that just met at the shoot.

Thanks Again Scott... I do appreciate your comments... Anthony

Erlinda wrote:
I'm game

The first thing that speaks to me about this port is that you do a lot better with controlled, indoor lighting than you do in the great outdoors.  There is an immediate and stark difference in quality between the two.  Aperture is your friend, use it!

I do like the way you play with poses and angles, though.  There are some shots there that would have been pretty average, but your specific choice of pose elevated them.

Favorite

Yes, after all that about outdoor shots:



Even though the color values aren't 100% spot on, everything else about this shot is perfect - pose, position, background... Was the boat placed? Or was that one of those "lucky timing" shots?  Either way, well done.

Least favorite



What is with these agency models?  Here's another one (of several in your port) I've come across in this thread where they look like "I really don't want to be here, can you just f***ing pay me already?"

Would I shoot with you?

I'd send rates, primarily because there's not a single male in your port, and your strongest stuff all incorporates some sort of exotic costume.  Sorry, but I don't do cross-dress.

Zhiffy Photography wrote:
me pls! (:

There is a lot of neat stuff in this port, and I appreciate the lack of duplicate poses.

Favorite



I like the color treatment here best of all.  Great balance, interesting background, yet the model is still the star of the shot.  Well done!

Least Favorite

It was hard to choose here, because there's nothing in this collection that I have any kind of strong negative reaction towards.  That said...



If for no other reason than it just doesn't do anything at all for me.  The wicked look is okay, there's nothing specifically wrong with it, but it's just sort of.... there.

Would I shoot with you?

If I'm ever in Singapore, I'll definitely look you up for a TF.

Scott.... wrote:

I like how you separated (most of) your school work from your personal work.  You picked a challenging motif, though, in pinup.  Not an easy thing to execute.  That said, many of your shots are almost there.  Great example: The Navy girl - lose the flag and that shot is stellar - her form is great, the expression is there, but the flag on her back serves as a distraction from the shot, instead of an enhancement.

Favorite



Nailed the concept, and did it with a big girl, which isn't easy.

Least Favorite



This was a good idea on paper that just didn't quite come together on film.

Would I shoot with you?

I'd definitely TF with you.  You have ambition, and with a little patience, I think we could find a winning concept for both of us.

Scott, thanks for the great feedback and critique!

I agree that I have a LOOOONG way to go...I am in the studio every weekend at this point, though, and also shooting events to work on being well rounded.

I haven't really shot any men yet, so I do think it would be interesting to work with you. I think you'd make a great subject and allow me to try some different sort of themes and ideas.

Deee-Liteful Images wrote:
Would love to hear your thoughts! Thank you in advance!
I would personally like to do a underwater shoot with you!

Oh great, she meets me on a critique forum, and already she wants to drown me.

OK, the first thing I'm going to say about your port as a whole is that, while there are lots of colorful people in lots of colorful situations, you're still doing portrait shots of most of them - straight on, face-focused portraits.  Give me some ANGLES! Give me some PERSPECTIVES!  Give me some POSES!  Get out of that suitable-for-framing rut!

Favorite



Why? In the midst of all that mayhem, this is the most honest shot in your port.

Least favorite



I'm not sure what you were trying to do with all that blue, but it completely defocuses the shot.

Would I shoot with you?

Definitely would do a round of TF with you.  We both have comfort zones, and to even execute a shoot, we'd both have to step well outside of them - which could be fun.

cinema photography wrote:
This is of great interest to me..have a go!

I've seen a lot of pinup on this site, but I've never seen someone go to quite the lengths that you have to recapture the ancient arts of photography.  Very interesting stylings here, and you capture the periods very, very well.

Favorite



Nailed it.  Just absolutely perfect for a "girly mag" calendar shot.  Brilliant.

Least Favorite



No offense, but trying to recapture that Nat'l Geographic cover is another item that is rapidly working it's way into the "squid/caution tape/toilets/nudes with guitars" cliche camp.  It's probably a good shot, if I could put the hundreds of others I've seen like it (not to mention the original) out of my mind long enough to give it a fair shake.

Would I shoot with you?

Absolutely!  I could be your first go at a daguerreotype?

(PS: I have to pat myself on the back for a minute - I actually spelled that word right the first time!)

Michael Alan wrote:
why not...

Well, I could think of lots of reasons why not....  the fact that you're a high-profile published photog and I'm a big-mouthed self-important nobody comes immediately to mind...

There's once again nothing to criticize here.  You do a wide variety of motifs and styles, and you execute them all beautifully. 

Favorite



I love this because you took a cliche (train tracks) and pushed it to the outer limits of absurdity with the surreal background color choices.  If everyone did things like this, there would never be any cliches in photography, because prior ideas would be warped into completely different ones on a regular basis.

Least Favorite



I dunno.  If she had been draped across anything other than an industrial wire spool, I'd probably like it better.  It's nitpicky - but how the heck else was I supposed to find something I didn't like, other than dissecting?

Would I shoot with you?

Honestly?  The guys in drag make me a little leery.  I might could get over that long enough to TF with you, although I doubt you'd take that gig.

Scott.... wrote:

I've seen a lot of pinup on this site, but I've never seen someone go to quite the lengths that you have to recapture the ancient arts of photography.  Very interesting stylings here, and you capture the periods very, very well.

Favorite



Nailed it.  Just absolutely perfect for a "girly mag" calendar shot.  Brilliant.

Least Favorite



No offense, but trying to recapture that Nat'l Geographic cover is another item that is rapidly working it's way into the "squid/caution tape/toilets/nudes with guitars" cliche camp.  It's probably a good shot, if I could put the hundreds of others I've seen like it (not to mention the original) out of my mind long enough to give it a fair shake.

Would I shoot with you?

Absolutely!  I could be your first go at a daguerreotype?

(PS: I have to pat myself on the back for a minute - I actually spelled that word right the first time!)

+1 for the spelling, because its nowhere near easy to remember.

Thanks for the kind words, but i do wanna say the NATGeo shot was nowhere near my mind! I was just on a old school Persian kick that day

Scott.... wrote:

The first thing that speaks to me about this port is that you do a lot better with controlled, indoor lighting than you do in the great outdoors.  There is an immediate and stark difference in quality between the two.  Aperture is your friend, use it!

I do like the way you play with poses and angles, though.  There are some shots there that would have been pretty average, but your specific choice of pose elevated them.

Favorite

Yes, after all that about outdoor shots:



Even though the color values aren't 100% spot on, everything else about this shot is perfect - pose, position, background... Was the boat placed? Or was that one of those "lucky timing" shots?  Either way, well done.

Least favorite



What is with these agency models?  Here's another one (of several in your port) I've come across in this thread where they look like "I really don't want to be here, can you just f***ing pay me already?"

Would I shoot with you?

I'd send rates, primarily because there's not a single male in your port, and your strongest stuff all incorporates some sort of exotic costume.  Sorry, but I don't do cross-dress.

lol

Stacy Leigh wrote:
I love your critiques thus far, I think they're pretty spot on. If you are still doing them by the time you get to me... I would love to get a critique from you.




Stacy

Sorry it took so long, quite a pile to dig out from there.

You do a lot of work for RealDolls, eh?  Fun part in the port is, at first glance, differentiating between the dolls and the real models.

Favorite



Completely blurring the line here, and convincingly so.  I had to do several double-takes before I could convince my brain that I was looking at a real human...

Least Favorite



Not a bad series, by any stretch, but just a bit too static for my liking.

Would I shoot with you?

Well, I dunno - you still taking on live work?