Hi Chengrui,

Sorry, I am not going to help because I am really an outdoor togger with little experience of indoor work and none of using a studio - so I cannot answer your questions.

However, I did want to express my admiration for your shot because, as something of a surrealist myself, I love the concept of the manaquin's head sprouting flowers and the (as you say) enigmatic feeling of the whole. So well done and thank you.

All the best. Cheerio.

Hello Chengrui,

Thank you for sending your work to this forum.

Although my greatest area of ​​interest in photography is landscape - and after all it is also nature - and at the same time in photography classes I had classes using studio light, so I will allow myself a few tips for your proposal.

Firstly, the topic itself. Very interesting and at the same time very broad in its subject matter and way of seeing. You have adopted a narrative of artificial elements that are to depict nature and man. The question is whether you want to show the compatibility of human life with nature or, on the contrary, the incorrect use of nature? It seems that the first, although very idealistic, can be a basis for showing how it should be in these relations.

Secondly, the light. In my opinion, there is too much of it. You could slightly emphasize the silhouette of the mannequin and the branches, make some counterpoint on the back on the leaves. Notice that the circle of light on the ground was not captured in its entirety. It was probably not a special procedure but rather an oversight.

Thirdly, the editing and framing. In my opinion, it looks too "bland". You can try to leave some elements sharp, those that you think should "shout out" something, show more strongly. I would possibly leave the background out of focus, but not the whole thing. Here, everything pastel blurs the message that I think you would like to show.

As for the frame, I have already written about the light on the floor. In my opinion, taking the photo from a standing position in this case caused the scene to be devoid of dynamics and we are looking for a place where we could catch the eye. Try framing from different perspectives from below, from above from a different position than the one you presented.

As a rule, working in the studio is very interesting and gives many possibilities for creating images. However, it requires thought and concept before you enter the studio, re-analyzing the method of lighting, perspective and, above all, the objects used to show us to the viewers. Experiment and you will definitely find the golden mean.

Best regards

Slawomir Kowalczyk - SC.

Hello, Chengrui

Welcome to our forum and thank you for uploading your image. It is really not easy to shoot an image like this in such a short time. Looking at the set up I think you have a understanding of using light, but the short time made it not easy for you to adjust some crucial points. As my friend Slawomir said there are parts that too much light fell onto the subject. This resulted in some loss of texture. Depicting a story about the relationship of mam and nature with few props in a studio is challenging on its own. I think you have an interesting starting point here. I cannot stop myself from thinking how it would have resulted ifthe image were taken in nature with the same props. It might inspire you to try ifyou can find the time. I am not sure what side of human and nature connection you wanted to depict. You tried to create the vision of enigma but is there really an enigma in todays world. We humans are the destructors of nature and nature is affected deeply by our existence. I am a portraitand StillLife photographer and I know how difficult it can be to establish a real story ibn Still Life photography. I manly work on aesthetic images and the story is not much the starting point. Your two images work in terms of enigma. Yet  the compositioncould be better established I think. There could have been some dynamics in presenting the plant, not only a decorative setup but it could have been laid out onto the ground spreading into different directions. Then as said before you might have tried to adjust the power of light better. A reminder for next time in a studio: Underexposed images are easier to work on than overexposed ones in a studio. I have also a suggestion fpr ediying if I may. I reduced the saturation in all colors except the green. I gave the plant some saturation and lightened its shadows. My interpretation would be the bright glowing freshness of nature with a less passive human influence. Just an attempt....I wish you good light....Cicek Kiral...

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