MAC shoot - favourite images

I really enjoyed this photoshoot. Working with a pose I had already decided on - the tilted head and parted lips - meant there were limited compositions as I could not play around with my model's poses. However, I used a spotlight and had an assistant to help create shadows, in theme with my key word 'penumbra', and also emphasising the bright lipstick, thus promoting my chosen product. Originally I wanted to capture my model's shoulders, however, on reflection, shooting at a closer distance would have been better, as I have decided I want the face to fill more of the frame, so I will have to crop my images - to avoid seeing the reflector disc as well! In post-production, I will be careful to remove any lipstick on the teeth and any wispy hairs, and also soften some of the shadows under my model's chin slightly. My preferred images are the ones where my model is not looking at the camera - I find that avoiding eye contact with the viewer draws more attention to other features rather than the eyes, i.e. the lips and lipstick. I also prefer the shadowy images over the bright ones; however I liked the contrast of the white background in amongst all the shadows. I had considered using a black background, but I really like the monochrome effect. 

I like the images where the shadows fall upon my model's eyes rather than her lips, as the focus of the pictures needs to be on the lower half of her face, so illuminating this part draws attention to it. My favourite images are the last five - particularly the last one. I think the shadows sit exactly where I want them, outlining the face and especially the lower half, and the pose is how I wanted it to be. However, in post-production, I will need to soften the edges of the shadows slightly as they are a little harsh. I think I prefer the images without the reflector disc being used - I like how the dark shadow surrounds the face, separating it from the body more and making the face the focus of attention. It also reminds me of MAC's Mineralize campaign: