Nina II

This is portfolio work for the ever ravishing Nina S. Comments

are appreciated.

Leaves me a bit divided. I like the short dof but on the other hand the curse of a long lense is now there. The longer the lense the narrower the eye gap appears and the broader the face looks. I wouldn't be surprised if this was either 200/2.8 or 300/2.8. The other thing which I find rather curious is that it has this HDR feeling, especially the hair and why not face too. I think the hair works fantastically, the face ... I am not sure. But in any case, as a whole this is first class add to her portfolio because she can sell her eyes, her lips and her hair with this one.

I usually do these shots with artificial flash lighting. This was 50%

flash, 50% indirect sunlight from an opening in a wall... must do

many other experiments in this mixed light regime!

Last summer I did a session with small flashes in ambient day light (The bicycle J-shots) - and I found it difficult because the small flashes make easily too much shines. With hair it's just good but with face it is darn difficult to get right. I had to soften and clone a lot in PS-postprocess. I quite understand why many photogs favor reflectors over small fill-ins in direct ambient light.

I wonder, when shooting in a situation like you described here, should you actually carry a light meter and balance the mix manually? Get's a bit complicated considering the idea of using the very portable small flashes.

I find the out of focus highlight in the upper right of the image somewhat distracting-especially the one radiating from her head-and would have preferred to see it removed but Nina is so attractive and photogenic that nothing can prevent this from being a very good image! regards, cb :-)