View Full Version : So this shot is boring, a little help?

10-26-2010, 10:45 PM
So I simply could not get this shot to work. It's just a nice cosplayer under a nice tree. Any advice on how to punch it up next time?

ISO 200
1/100 s
Lighting - umbrella and LumoPro strobe, either 1/2 or full power, to camera left.


Thanks all!

10-26-2010, 11:14 PM
I like the background. The fall colors are nice. The cosplayer's pose isn't interesting to me. It might be fun to have her spin around (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliffnordman/4921883924/) to get the cloak in motion.

If you don't want action, there's still a subtle difference between doing nothing in a boring way and doing nothing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliffnordman/4965454377/) in an interesting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliffnordman/4915549964/) way (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliffnordman/4857693129/). Because it's subtle, I don't have an easy instruction to give you. One thing I notice is that both hands are hidden and I can only halfway see one foot. Bending joints and having something to do with hands is generally more interesting.

I don't notice the off-camera lighting you have. The light seems pretty even, as I would expect from the overcast sky. I'd want more contrast between the lit and unlit sides of the cosplayer. A shorter exposure time will make the ambient light darker without affecting the brightness of the flash.

10-27-2010, 04:13 AM
What bothers me :
- her posture. Her face is somewhat expressive, but her body is just... standing there. When doing a full body shot, try to have the whole body express something.
- the costume could be better shown. We mostly see a still cape, and only a hint of what's underneath. Either having the cape move for the shot, or having her spread it with one or both (http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2707432/) of her hands, would have worked better.
- the image itself is a bit dull. a bit of post-processing could help bring a bit more contrast, and make some colors pop. The green of the grass and trees in the back attracts the eyes a bit too much, I'd try to change the greens to yellows.

10-28-2010, 05:04 PM
The umbrella strobe light does seem to bring out some shine in the cap, but also flattens out the face. I suggest a slightly darker exposure on the background, and a bit brighter flash output, if possible. The flash would create more dramatic effect if it is placed where the nose is pointed, which could create more shadows on the cheeks, directing our eyes more at her face.

Composing her even further away from the center would make the composition more interesting.

Posing enhancements could be, standing with a wider stance, which should open the cap a bit, showing more legs. The face could be looking solemnly at the ground, or looking over her shoulder, reacting to a mysterious person outside the frame. Knealing poses could also work well here.

11-07-2010, 01:39 PM
Thanks for the ideas guys! So more contrast and movement, I'll keep that in mind for next time.

11-07-2010, 10:32 PM
I'm not as experienced, but in addition to contrast and movement, might I suggest attempting different perspectives? We usually see things at the same angle in everyday life, so using angles can really spice things up. Instead of just taking a photo dead on, what about positioning the camera from below as the cosplayer looks up into the tree? Or climbing into the tree for a shot from above?

As for editing, (and this goes along with the contrast suggestion) I'd love to see the red leaves appear more vibrant, while not taking away from the cosplayer as the focus. <3