Thankfully the entire focus wan't the bike. That would be
less interesting.
Of course the other focus is a beautiful
woman. But this fact alone does not in any way shape
or form, render the bike less visible. IMO the bike is
even more interesting to look at because an attractive woman
is sitting on it.
I would prefer the grass to be greener,
perhaps blurring the background even more. But this is
a minor flaw.
The main flaw in this photo is that the horizon
isn't straight. It's slanted up in a steep angle to the right.
Also I would back up the bike about two feet
so I can see the entire front tire.
This photo may not be ribbon worthy on a purely technical
sense. But it is sure to grab one's attention.
I gave this one a 7.
Take what everyone told you and lets look at it in retrospect.
shannylee13 says: that the grass in the back ground is dead looking and doesn’t quite live up to the subject.
awelsh says: That she is a Nice model, "pandering to male vote", (gee I wonder why he would say that). Not much connection to bikes tho, and she looks like a model on a bike, not like someone who'd actually ride such a bike. - How many women would actually ride a bike in a bikini? A lot you're thinking, but are they on grass or at the beach??? If you had a beach background this picture would be much better.
geinafets says: something about the background (which I have already covered).
Here's my thoughts. Her facial expression doesn't match the fact that she is on a bike in the middle of a dead grass field with her hat so low that you can't see her face detail and the sun is so bright that it's only showing off one side of her body.
If I would have taken this picture I would have taken it at the beach or a sidewalk area where someone would actually be riding a bike so it fits the subject a bit more. I would have her remove the hat and put some pants on or something like some cargo jeans. I wouldn't have her in a bikini bottom. Something a bit more realistic. I would also wait for the sun to go down a bit more or take the picture say around noon when the sun is really high or just about gone. Depending on the light or dark effect you want. Earlier in the day the more darker her face would have been if she was wearing the hat. Later in the day would give a more lighting effect on the entire subject.
Another good tip is if your subject or your main focal point is going to be something like the color red, have your model put on some red polish and lipstick. For guys it's good to use something like a chap stick or something to just make them stand out some. Hope this helps some. Good luck.
a nice example where waiting for the evening sun could improve the photo. The bright mid day sun creates harsh contrasts and makes the models close their eyes
I am betting she has caused a couple of accidents. I know this is going to sound strange but. . . I would have liked to have seen a little more of the bike in the shot. AFTER ALL that is the challenge. Nicely done. BOL
I like where your head was at with this one, I just would have liked to have seen it from a different perspective. Adding a little more dynamic lighting would have been good too. Maybe a white or silver reflector to bounce some of the light back towards her and a stronger composition.
You're trying to influence the voters to give you high scores by putting a hot girl on your subject but it kinda takes away from picture. Since I can't really see the bike other than the white I will say that that she would have looked better standing up next to the bike showing it off vs. sitting on it. Also the shadow on her face is a bit to dark but I understand it's basic editing. Giving the direction of the sun I would have flipped her around so the sun was in her face showing that off too.
Other than the little extra she has in her hips she is very attractive. If she is yours congrats. She is beautiful. If not she should be. If this is she is you well I'll stop there.
Such a pretty girl and a terrific bike! But just plopping her in the sun and shooting a snap (cropping the bike awkwardly, blasting highlights, tilted background/lack of background)will hurt this photo.
No studio? Find a north facing garage, or a south facing one, ok, just find a garage. Open the door and there will be places in that garage with the most beautiful soft light - then get something to reflect that light with - posterboard, tin foil wrapped around a board, a white sheet, and bounce some light onto the dark side of her - then maybe something to shade the background behind her from the garage light(just maybe on that, the garage might make it cooler). Maybe some grease on her? Maybe a tool in her hand as though she's working on the bike? Maybe on the floor looking up at the bike and her sitting on the ground? Oh the possibilities.
So get that light soft and directed, then show us from a different angle, show us something more interesting about this scene, and you'll ribbon! DPC voters are a sucker for a gimmick, and a bikini girl working on a cool bike in soft light is just such a gimmick.
I hope that helps. Most will blast through this photo, make some stupid comment about the "babe" (happens to my model photos all the time) and not say a thing about making the photo better.
Nice model, pandering to male vote. Not much connection to bikes tho, and she looks like a model on a bike, not like someone who'd actually ride such a bike.
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