APRIL 2008

Unusual locations with unlikely outfits can make for a dramatic image. Stark contrasts can also add to the impact an image has. So with that in mind let’s get started.

This image “Sweeping Vista” may look silly simple and in all reality it was as long as I kept some basics in mind and planned the image before we shot.

First Issue: There is a lot of white that could under expose the image if not metered properly.

Second Issue: There is a lot of black that could over expose the image if not metered properly.

Using an average meter reading would be a crap shoot so my solution was to take a meter reading from a gray card and use that setting. The GREAT news is all the white walls would act as a big reflector. The time of day was One in the afternoon so that there was no direct sun on the setting and hence no nasty harsh shadows.

Now that the exposure issue was out of the way another exposure issue had to be dealt with. This was taken on a balcony that overlooked the resort. Yes we were 7 stories up BUT if someone was looking at the hotel instead of the Caribbean we could have had a problem. So we needed to get out there make the image and make it fast.

We shot this in three sets each set lasting 4 minutes. Diana would hit the spot and disappear for a few minutes. We also discussed how she would be posed. Call this hit & run shooting.

Post Production Note: I copied the entire image and pasted it over the background to make a layer. I desaturated the layer and added a sepia filter. With the opacity setting I reduced the opacity of the layer until I was happy with the look. Next I erased the lips on the sepia layer using a 20% brush until I was satisfied.

As always discuss the image and location with the subject before you try and make the image. Some models may e perfectly comfortable posing nude outdoors and others may panic at the mere mention.

"Chase Your Dream Not Your Competition"...Jack Cutler