Originally posted by RGlasel How did you get the 45 degree angle between her back and her neck and head? Is she leaning back that much and how did you get her to keep her neck and head straight? Very nice, indeed.
Thanks, RGlasel.
There's little 'Dutch tilt' to this - even though she is very tall, she's bending backwards and holding the pose with her core muscles to make the shot unusual.
I've discovered that when the subject is an aspiring model (from ModelMayhem or similar) or no experience at all (family members, friends, etc) you really need to take charge, show them the pose yourself, and give a *lot* of direction. You have to get this right, especially with non-models, because they think you're going to take one shot, and they can go back to their dinner, keep talking with their guests, whatever. They want it over and done with, you're not going to get to choose amongst lots of pics.
With an agency model, the feeling can be totally different. Maybe not when they realize you're a gearhead who silently hides clicking behind the viewfinder and obsesses over getting the settings right. Awkward pauses in the conversation kill any mood.
But the pros I've seen don't stop talking to the model, don't stop making and taking suggestions, and it becomes a real collaboration. When an experienced model senses what you're trying to do from the starting pose you give them, a flow happens where after each click they vary the look themselves to give you lots of choices.
You don't have to build that trust and bonhomie with a flower or a sunset. You do with people. The good news is, unlike a K-1 and D FA 70-200mm f2.8, that rapport costs a hobbyist no money.
Tara is not just good looking, she's an artistic young person and during a later session with her she's put in some ghostly contact lenses, so later in the year I'll take the time to process the RAW and composite it with a fantasy snow background - she'll be like some female Winter Walker princess from 'Game of Thrones' - I promise to post it here.