New Underwater Fashion/Fantasy - Mermaid

I worked with a really talented makeup artist last weekend. We talked about what theme would REALLY showcase her makeup skills - in an underwater photoshoot. We came up with "mermaid" which can be really cheesy - but I think these worked:

First - the makeup. I shot this with the model laying down on a dark blue background:

And pulling out a bit and working with the same lighting setup:

I also played w/ reflections a bit - the model REALLY liked this one:

OK - so finally some underwater photos. This uses a long blue skirt in place of a tail:

You can see the rest of the photos here: http://www.reefpix.org/v/underwater/pool/alex

Hope you enjoy. All comments and feedback are appreciated.

Cheers

James

Great stuff James! I'm with the model. The third shot is stunning. The eyes have it. As a total newbie with this type of shot can I ask a dumb question? Do you play with the white balance or colors in post processing specifically to try to warm up the skin tones on the underwater shots. In admiring this set I'm struck my the difference in skin tone in the surface vs. UW.

Thanks for sharing your latest!

Steve

Very nice. I really like the last one. Great hair in that one. You are getting rather handy at these pool shots these days, James.

I agree with Steve that the UW shots might look nicer if you can warm up the UW skin tones in the Raw converter, if possible?

Alex

Thanks guys for the feedback.

The fact is, the model's face is completely made up with airbrush makeup. I lit her above water w/ 2 4300k flashes and I actually had to LOWER the K value in Lightroom from the auto value it assigned which was around 5000k. The rest of her body is VERY pale - remember she's a fair skinned red-head.

Here's an example:

But to answer your question - yes, I did warm up the underwater photos in the RAW converter - but perhaps not enough. When I did go warmer, her skin looked too yellow to me, even w/ a positive tint adjustment.

Once again, thanks for the feedback. I am also curious - with these type of shots, it's easy for the photos to look cheesy, as opposed to just plain striking. Which way do these lean? Honestly, I don't want to be a cheesy photographer - lol. I'd especially love to hear from some of the women members here on this one.

Cheers

James

I am also curious - with these type of shots, it's easy for the photos to look cheesy, as opposed to just plain striking. Which way do these lean? Honestly, I don't want to be a cheesy photographer - lol. I'd especially love to hear from some of the women members here on this one.

In response to your request, as a woman photograher, I will add my two cents. These images, IMHO, are very tastefully done and don't look at all "cheesy". They look more like well thought out art than anything else (I'll leave "anything else" to the imagination!).

My favorite image is, by far, the third one in your post. It's very striking and really caused me to look at it more than one time.

Hope that helps.

Ellen

James,

I concur w/Ellen. Not "cheesy" at all.

But then I'm near an area famous for "mermaid" shots and Alex and I saw a mermaid underwater once She was quite something and her makeup was quite stunning (although I think Alex referred to seeing her as "surreal" I thought she was extremely well-made up, talented and lovely - especially considering the air temp was about 40 degrees F and the water temp was 72 F!)

Seriously James, your photos are lovely and well done. Tasteful. Like Alex I like the last one best.

But I'm with the others even though she is pale a tiny bit more warming if possible would be great.

Good Luck! Best, Carol

Great Stuff.

If I ever get to do something like this I'll be reading all your posts James.

James, I love the shots! The third is definitely very cool. Can I ask which lens you choose for this type of pool work?

really awesome pictures, I love the 3rd one also. Wow!

James, I know you asked for a woman's opinion but hey, I'll give you mine.

I think the quality of the images is great and I love your lighting. The portraits are wonderful and I like #3 as the other guys do, but #2 is probably my favorite because of the lighting and the very dramatic makeup adds rather then distracts as it does in the others a little. It's just my own personal thing, but I am not a fan of mermaid outfits, seashell or coconut bras (too many bad memories of Parrothead women at Jimmy Buffet concerts maybe). Again, just personal but I think the mermaid thing is a little kitsch.

Nice job and tastefully done. I like the last one the best. I think the model's expression and a flowing hair make it work. You can tell your makeup artist that is the best "mermaid" makeup job I've ever seen. It was very creative.

Wow - really interesting feedback so far - thanks everyone. I used a 24-70 for the above water shots and a 17-40 for the underwater shots.

My personal favorites are 1 and 2 because of the makeup, lighting (w/ catchlights) and the reflection. That was what I was going for and I think I achieved it.

As for the mermaid theme - we definitely got mixed reviews. I too feel it's a bit kitch, but then again, the model really likes those and it's the client that matters when it comes to photos of themselves.

I like the net too - I used it in another shoot recently - here's a photo:

Cheers

James

Excellent lighting in that last one. More like this, please!

Alex

Hey James I really like this set, Its really great that you were able to find a model that looks like a natural in the water

Adrien

Cheesy?? I think not - though as a woman, I have to say - that seashell thing looks downright uncomfortable!! I love the third shot, too.

I agree wth the first batch No 3 being my fave ... but i would love it if it was a tad longer to see more reflection.

I also ditto Alex with the last black background one ...

You are getting pretty nifty at all the uw model stuff hey jimmy boy!

is it more fun now you are getting used to it rather than being huge amounts of hard work ?

Thanks Giles and Vetdiver.

Yes, these shoots have gotten a lot more fun, but they are still just as much work. To set up everything for that last shot took longer than the whole time shooting!

Yes, the shells were uncomfortable, from what I have heard ;-) What am I supposed to do, pad them??? :-)

Cheers

James

Yes, the shells were uncomfortable, from what I have heard ;-) What am I supposed to do, pad them??? :-)

LMAO....YES!!!!!!! That poor girl.....her chest cranked into those 2 scallop shells....