Another year has lapsed and as usual it's time to review my growth as a photographer and set goals for 2013. This year, I'm going to post the most popular image for each month based on FLICKR stats and provide my own critique about each image.
January - was my second shoot with Taylor and first collaboration with Heidi (a.k.a. The Makeup Monster). The shoot was Heidi's idea and she loved Taylor's look. Since Heidi wanted to try some really cool blue eye shadow, blue gels made sense.
Critique: I like the fabric, but would've preferred to have it draped over her bare arm and also come across her face to only expose her eyes. I do like the lighting.
February - This was my first shoot with Kayla and also using Fuji Pro 400H film. It was shot in the afternoon using Available Light. This image made FLICKR's Explore page.
Critique: I really like Kayla's look, but there is nothing about this image that is interesting. The light is flat, the Rule of Thirds doesn't add anything and the background has some distracting elements.
March - Third shoot with Taylor and second collaboration with Heidi. All Natural Light shot at The Padre Hotel.
Critique: The images are pretty clean with regard to lighting ratios. I left all the windows open and didn't pay attention to light direction. Just typical glamour lighting
April - I had three shoots specifically to learn my new PocketWizard Flex System, which to this day I REALLY dislike. I want my Pocket Wizard Plus IIs, back.
Critique: I wrote a review about the Flex system and I stand by that review. This was the only image that fulfilled what I hoped the Flex system could do, but just like Nikon CLS, too inconsistent for my liking.
May - More Flex System practice and a couple paid gigs (Senior Portrait and Engagement Session). WE had a mini-meetup and I had the chance to shoot with Meg, briefly.
Critique: I really needed to boom the light since it's a bit hot on her legs since they are closer to the brolly. Honestly, I used Nikon CLS and not the Flex system since it was getting dark and CLS works best when it isn't bright out side.
June - Not being a quitter, I decided to practice some more with my Flex System and called up Ashley and Make-up Artist Clara to help me work on Bikini images.
Critique: I really should have added a rim light, bare SB-600s on both sides of Ashley and also moved the light into a Clamshell position, The water acts like a reflector.
July - My buddy Rob shared a link that Los Angeles Union Station would be refurbishing the interior, so I decided to shoot my favorite pin-up in 1940's attire to match Union Station's Ambiance.
Critique: All most all Available light, but I did use a SB-900, gridded on a monopod and triggered via Nikon CLS.
August - So feeling a bit inspired and wanting to mimic more Herb Ritts style of shooting, Josh was cool enough to let me photograph him. All Natural Light against a semi-white wall.
Critique: I needed a little more separation camera right as you see his white pants merge with the white wall. Just a floating torso.
September - Realizing I had not done any themed shoots, my co-worker reminded me his wife was taking POLGA classes, so a Gentlemen's Club themed-shoot
Critique: Really needed more space for this shoot. Although we did have some good images, I really wanted to pull back more and create a more "club" feel. I felt the lighting was good considering I used 5 speedlights.
December - I was really busy in December with 5 models shoots and two work-related shoots. It's really hard to pick just one image that was highly-rated on FLICKR, but this one had the most Favorites with 40. Available Light image with all drapes opened.
January - was my second shoot with Taylor and first collaboration with Heidi (a.k.a. The Makeup Monster). The shoot was Heidi's idea and she loved Taylor's look. Since Heidi wanted to try some really cool blue eye shadow, blue gels made sense.
Critique: I like the fabric, but would've preferred to have it draped over her bare arm and also come across her face to only expose her eyes. I do like the lighting.
February - This was my first shoot with Kayla and also using Fuji Pro 400H film. It was shot in the afternoon using Available Light. This image made FLICKR's Explore page.
Critique: I really like Kayla's look, but there is nothing about this image that is interesting. The light is flat, the Rule of Thirds doesn't add anything and the background has some distracting elements.
March - Third shoot with Taylor and second collaboration with Heidi. All Natural Light shot at The Padre Hotel.
Critique: The images are pretty clean with regard to lighting ratios. I left all the windows open and didn't pay attention to light direction. Just typical glamour lighting
April - I had three shoots specifically to learn my new PocketWizard Flex System, which to this day I REALLY dislike. I want my Pocket Wizard Plus IIs, back.
Critique: I wrote a review about the Flex system and I stand by that review. This was the only image that fulfilled what I hoped the Flex system could do, but just like Nikon CLS, too inconsistent for my liking.
Critique: I really needed to boom the light since it's a bit hot on her legs since they are closer to the brolly. Honestly, I used Nikon CLS and not the Flex system since it was getting dark and CLS works best when it isn't bright out side.
I have to admit, this is one of my favorite images this year in September, specifically working with model, Joy. No critiques, just thankful I had the opportunity to work with her and also have one of the images used on a billboard.
October - This was an easy one to choose, all Natural Light with Eddy at the Padre.
Critique: Poor control of the light, albeit; I do like the image a lot, but I needed more "gobos" to help control the amount of light hitting the subject, or background. I should have brought a black muslin in addition to my scrim and reflectors.
November - Working with One Light and an Apollo Softbox it was pretty cold, we got this shot in 5 minutes. Subject was basically in shade with the sun filtering through the trees.
Critique: Needed to move the softbox just bit father back and angled down to light her legs a bit better. There was some falloff on her lower extremities. I also do not like her right hand breaking at the wrist, should have had her rest her wrist on the post.
December - I was really busy in December with 5 models shoots and two work-related shoots. It's really hard to pick just one image that was highly-rated on FLICKR, but this one had the most Favorites with 40. Available Light image with all drapes opened.
Critique: Wow, really? I find the table and lamp distracting. Also the variance in color between the headboard and the sheets are distracting. My guess is that men liked this image, because it is sexy, but the composition is bad and the lighting somewhat flat. Color looked even worse. the model is gorgeous, but this could've been shot by a GWC.
Apparently last year I didn't post any stats, so this year, as I did in 2010, here are my BLOG stats since I began blogging in March of 2009.
... and some Facebook stats for my FAN Page, which is always confusing to interpret.
Goals for 2013
- Create Dramatic Images - I will shoot one dramatic image per shoot
- Available Light - Include one Available Light image per shoot
- Have one session every fourth month that is "epic" - To me that means something that is really well-planned and requires more than a model, photographer and make-up artist/hair stylist
- Photograph more Men - Increase the number of shoots that feature a male model, or my son ;)
- Shoot more film - One session in a month will be shot on Film
Thanks for all the continued support!!!
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