Help Me Choose a Photo Contest Entry

[sfu_engineer]

So I am entering a photo contest at my University and would like to submit one of the following photos. I am unsure of which one to submit as I am biased and like all my work equally. If anyone can help out and just vote which one they prefer it would be great!

All these photos were taken for our university's annual Vogue Charity Fashion Show. Hence the big "V-legs" for Photo 3.

Any help would be appreciated!

#1
http://iconphoto.ca/photos/goldentam/contest01.jpg

#2
http://iconphoto.ca/photos/goldentam/contest02.jpg

#3
http://iconphoto.ca/photos/goldentam/contest03.jpg

#4
http://iconphoto.ca/photos/goldentam/contest04.jpg

#5
http://iconphoto.ca/photos/goldentam/contest05.jpg

[bob0]

is there a theme for this contest?

[sfu_engineer]

The theme is to showcase the paintings, artwork, photography, singing, dancing, acting, and generally art of students in my university. I am entering the photography category.

[CSAgent]

Number 5 would have been good if the light didn't fall off so much, there's a lot shadow among the 2 girls. Post-process it and see if you can lift the shadows to give it more life.

You can barely see the eyes and the highlights in their hair. A direct light pointed near the front would have lit them up.

[DaVibe]

I like 1, then 3, then 5.

[2000fordfocus]

The skin tone is too warm (saturate?) for #4 and #5... so I won't submit those two... But than again, who is judging the shoots? Do they look at tech side or creativities??

I like first three shoots!

Submitting portrait in a contest will be harder than non-portrait... You will need something "out of the ordinary" to knock other out off your way... just my 2 cents!

Being said that, I think the first two shoot are great! but i like the third very much too, so your call!

[sfu_engineer]

Thanks everyone for your comments. It seems like many people on this forum as well as FredMiranda forums think a lot of the photos are too dark and could use more catchlights. I wish I knew how to make more catchlights (ie. increase flash intensity?).

Also I am totally aware that it will be hard to win a contest if photos look too "ordinary" so I am hoping these studio-like photos will "blow there socks off" to the student judges who probably have no experience with studio work. Also that is why I am leaning towards #3 as it is so different and unique.

@CSAgent
I am always having a hard time calibrating my Macbook monitor and I have noticed that the Gamma on a Mac and a PC is different. On a Mac the default Gamma is higher than on a PC causing all my photos to look a bit too dark when viewed on a PC. It is a problem I am still trying to resolve even after further calibration of my monitor. I will try some more photoshop on photos #5!

[eelfliw]

I vote for #3.

Main reason being 3 & 9 o'clock lighting position with 1:1 ratio is used for product illustration photography. Not good for human photography where the face is shown. As such, #3 is my preference. It uses the proper lighting for the creative pose. But just watch the reflection on the toes of the shoes.

But if you really need to show the model's face, I'd go for #2 and reduce the light intensity of the 3 o'clock light by 2 or so stops. She has a narrow face and could use some broad lighting so move the 9 o'clock light to 8 or 7:30 position. Also, the left hand is at an awkward angle. Not attractive. Finally, she has rather short & wide legs for a model. So you need to use a shorter lens and wider aperture to help her lengthen the legs.

I won't go for #1, #4 or #5. Mainly because the position of the lights causes the front center of the face (#1) or boots (#4 & #5) to be in the shadow.

[eelfliw]

Thanks everyone for your comments. It seems like many people on this forum as well as FredMiranda forums think a lot of the photos are too dark and could use more catchlights. I wish I knew how to make more catchlights (ie. increase flash intensity?).

Catch lights is created by the reflection of the strobe in the model's eye. But if the strobe is off to the side (3 & 9 o'clock position), then you won't see the reflection. So, again, the key to creating catch lights is to position the strobes in front of the model. #4 has a tiny little catch light in the right eye but none in the left. This creates an alien eye look (just a dark hole) - must avoid.

[goofball]

#1 though the shadows are a bit much on the face for my taste. This is my favorite :)

#2, i don't like the way her left arm is, all bent out of shape like that.

#3,4,5 don't do it for me for whatever reason.

[sfu_engineer]

Catch lights is created by the reflection of the strobe in the model's eye. But if the strobe is off to the side (3 & 9 o'clock position), then you won't see the reflection. So, again, the key to creating catch lights is to position the strobes in front of the model. #4 has a tiny little catch light in the right eye but none in the left. This creates an alien eye look (just a dark hole) - must avoid.


I have read that to create modeling or 3-dimensional lighting we are supposed to keep the light on a 45 degree angle from the models nose. So is this incorrect or is there a need for a light at a 45 degree angle along with another light at the front for catch lights? Basically I am trying to stay away from a flat 1:1 front light, but still want to get the catchlights that I see in so many good portrait photography.

[drucillica]

Love #3, followed by #1

[sfu_engineer]

I emailed the people running the photo contest and they said I could submit a "collection of photos that were in the same theme". This made makes my choice MUCH easier and I look forward to submitting the following photos.
I tried to brighten each of the separate photos a little bit as per the suggestions on this poll. Thanks for your help everyone!

http://iconphoto.ca/photos/goldentam/collage.jpg

[eelfliw]

I have read that to create modeling or 3-dimensional lighting we are supposed to keep the light on a 45 degree angle from the models nose. So is this incorrect or is there a need for a light at a 45 degree angle along with another light at the front for catch lights? Basically I am trying to stay away from a flat 1:1 front light, but still want to get the catchlights that I see in so many good portrait photography.

Well, unless you use a 3D camera, all photographs are on a flat piece of paper, therefore 2D, period.

So, to create 3D effect, you need shadows. Shadows give perception of depth, hence the 3D effect without the photo actually being 3D. But if you place the shadow in the wrong spot, then it won't provide a sense of depth. In fact, it can create a rather ghastly look (photo #1).

The most obvious object on the human face to provide shadows is the nose. Light the face at an angle so the nose cast a shadow on one side of the face will give you the 3D effect. There are several of combinations of angles of the light & face that helps to broaden or narrow the face. You can also adjust the intensity and harshness of the lights to provide mood.

As for frontal lighting (called high-key or butterfly lighting), you can still create a shadow by placing the light above the model's face to create a shadow below the nose. This is often used with Asians who have rounder faces or flatter noses.

For more info, Google "Rembrandt lighting".