I'm currently teaching photography at Utah Valley University. I've been sending my class out on assignments each week, and I thought I'd maybe lead by example and do my own assignments. I haven't focused on fashion work lately, but this was a great exercise for getting me thinking the way I was taught to do back in college. Instead of just focusing on good light and flattering the model's look, I also focused on shapes and design lines in my compositions and boy did it make a difference. These images are more dynamic, with more movement and visual interest than what I typically get shooting natural light. When I do higher-production work, with strobes and assistants and all, I have time to work out the best image I can imagine. Often my entire shoot is designed to create a single image. Often on catalog or look book shoots, however, I'm required to shoot 30 different sets in one day, leaving little time for setting up complicated lighting or working through an image over a long period of time. This was excellent practice shooting naturally and finding interest in compositions quickly using what I'm teaching my students!
Wilmara was my model, and she had three outfits. This outfit was edgy and colorless, so we found a metallic wall with good bounced like to work with, and they really go together.
Last week my students shot leading lines. This week we're talking about shape, and the movement it creates. I tried to incorporate both line and shape, by looking for ways to include strong angles in my compositions.
Triangles aren't the only shape! I also wanted to illustrate the static feeling of horizontal and vertical lines, which feel more calm and are more relaxing to look at.
And because it's good to include variety, and I'm a faces guy, I included some tighter shots, and some others.
I think this class is going to be as good for me as it is for the students. Now that I have the technical side of things down, it feels great to return to the design fundamentals again.