Photography Thailand Photographer's Forum

[Marc Schultz]

Attached is a somewhat conceptual editorial lifestyle shot I did during an assignment this past week at a hotel spa with a model.

I thought I should mention that the strong backlight, partially blown out highlight detail, and overall high contrast on the image is intentional. My objective was to create emotive spa imagery for their commercial use so there was less emphasis on trying to create more technically perfect photographs as I normally would.

Questions and comments are of course welcome as always.

[bjorn slis]

sorry Mark but I can't find anything wrong in this one,
10 out of 10

 

[gregoire]

Same here. I don't think you need a disclaimer with your pictures, Marc

[Marc Schultz]

Thank you both for your kind words about the picture.

[ThaiWorld]

Marc,

The light reflection on the water gives a great effect. Well done.

[Marc Schultz]

Thank you Regis.

I am posting here another frame from that same sequence. After looking at the images I had from the shoot a bit more, I decided I kind of like the emotion with the mouth open a bit better than the first one I posted.

On this one I spent a bit more time to process the image and bring out more of the dynamic range from the RAW file itself. I actually developed the image 3 times at different exposure levels from the same RAW file. One to darken the background a bit, one to expose the backlight detail the way I wanted it, and another one to bring out a bit more brightness on the front side of the model. I then layered them all together using masking and flattenned the image so as to avoid creating a 150MB file. Even though the dynamic range is all there in the actual RAW file, a lot of time needs to be spent to bring it out in a balanced way using a digital post-production workflow.

I am just hoping one day that RAW file converters are able to allow you to process different areas of the same image at different exposure levels using masking or some other means so that you only have to develop the image once to get a perfect exposure. 

[bjorn slis]

To me the expression on the face and the effect of the water are much better

[Jane Iverson]

I liked the emotional feel in the second shot also.   First time using the forum and am having a great time cruisin' through.   Jane

[Marc Schultz]

Thank you Jane and welcome aboard!

[spring]

Hey Marc,

Thanks for the great pics. It will be of great help if you can post the details of the image, the photo gear used etc...it is possible most of the other members (like me) are amateurs and are looking up to your kinda work to learn.

[canon]

Great shots Marc, really like to expression on her face on the second shot, says it all... water is cold...

[agitlits]

Marc,

Saw this photo in the mag during my recent visit to LoS.

Well done!

Alex

[Marc Schultz]

Thanks Alex. Interesting to know. Was it an add for a hotel spa perhaps?

[agitlits]

Thanks Alex. Interesting to know. Was it an add for a hotel spa perhaps?

Hi Marc, It was certainly an ad for a hotel's spa. It was a travel magazine I came accross while staying at Shangri-La, BKK. Sorry I can't remember the name of the mag.

Cheers
Alex

[kinginexile]

The second one is more classic, but I like it better, I thought the first one a bit busy, all items being equal. In this one, her laughter, or reaction, provides a sure point of focus.