Maybe it is just my monitor but this appears to be an undressed female. Obviously it is not but It certainly looks as if it is, and very fetching at that. My God I am going to try this type of film and see if my city scapes will also look like a nude female. It is certainly a very nice photo.
OK... I'll be the spoiler here. Photographically, the shot is well done and well printed. The model however, appears stiff and uncomfortable (yes, I know she is very pretty). The nudity doesn't communicate anything here... this picture could have been done much better with her completely relaxed and fully clothed.
If you used a light meter how did you determine the basic exposure for HIE using studio lights or did you use something other than incandescent light? I assume that you bracketed exposures to get this great result.
esanford, not sure i agree but then again, thats what opinions are for. I think the "stiffness" of her pose is what makes the image work. Your suggestion of a relaxed, fully clothed pose is "your" image not the photographer who made this image. The exposure of the skin is quite interesting and I would like to read more on how it was done. Also if you have other shots from this setting it would be nice to see what else you were able to accomplish with this lighting and model. - Jim
jrpugh...
my point was as a viewer... The burden is always on the photographer (fairly or unfairly) to communicate something to the viewer. I was careful to comment that the photographic execution of this image was well done (including the skin tones). As a viewer, I didn't know why I was looking at a stiff naked girl. Normally figure photography communicates shape, form, sensuality, erotica humor etc... I saw none of those things. My comments were merely how I was made to feel from the photograph itself... this is a critique gallery, and often times we have to communicate our displeasure... one of the issues I have with this forum is that we are too nicey ticey with our critiques... My comment regarding "clothed/relaxed" was not to create my image but to further embellishment my point... when I "hang out" one of my shots, I expect hard, candid criticism from experienced photographers... this will help me improve more than diluted observations. Finally, the technical gallery provides APUG members a chance to share their technique... posting here, of necessity, invites critiques...
I think what esanford was trying to convey, which I agree iwth, is that although the pose is a classic glamour one, the expression of the model is one that does convey that sexual tension to make the glamour pose complete.
On the other hand the juxtaposition of the stiff pose itself with her nudity is 'neat' to see. What I don't like is the muslin backdrop. To me its distracting. But that just me being picky.