Dual Session 3-3-13 125

My immediate reactions are:

1. I wish a bit of fill light or reflector was used to lighten the shadows.

2. Since she is tattooed perhaps color would have been more appropriate.  I discovered the tattoo when I put the image in P.S.Bridge and applied a bit of digital fill.

Jerry

Jerry - I made the image like this on purpose. I expected it to be shown in B&W and wanted deep shadows. I know it is non-traditional but, it is what I intended. I can accept that you do not like it, thank you.

Mark! This is brilliant. Just enough light to suggest, more than articulate the shapes we "know" although we can't see them in the shadow areas. A real triumph of subtlety. Wish I could call it my capture!

Did you use studio light or the off camera flash? Im asking because Im currently trying this kind of shot. Not with your success, though.

Bettie - Thank you for the very kind comment. This is one studio flash just slightly visible in the upper left corner. The flash has a strip box (about 1'X3') and grid which then narrows the soft light and is placed a little above her angled down. There is also a faux brick wall behind her. If you take a look at this image, you'll see the general effect. I just moved around to the shadow side and exposed for the lighted side.

This is a good demonstration of "kicker" lighting or edge lighting.  Hair, arm cheek, and nose are lighted with this light and serve as a nice accent.  The effect is to make me want more---which is not forthcoming from the shadow areas.  It is as if someone whispered "Hey buddy, I want to tell you a secret---and then mumbled into my ear."  For me, there needs to be more than one piece of bait to draw me in.  After feasting on the nice edge lighting I fell into the abyss of none-information with no incentive to view further.

John - Thank you for the interesting analysis. I can see your point but have been trying some lighting experiments during recent sessions. Some work better than others. I tend to like large areas of deep shadow but will consider your comment on future attempts.

Interesting use of light - enough details to make it interesting ... I had thought to get strip lights one day too - this is an inspiring image.