People and Place: Assignment 5: Shoot 6

Shoot 6: Mollie, Writer, 10/02/2014 

Location

Mollie doesn't have an office; she writes where the mood takes her - often in bed - I didn't ask her to pose there.  I took pictures in her dining room and music room, where she plays her grand piano.

Poses

We began by the bookcase in the dining room.  This is the very first shot

 I like these solemn, rather severe poses

 But she can smile and laugh, too

 Mollie reads a lot, as every writer should

 Overhead shot.  I like the thoughtfulness here

Seated at the piano 

Overhead lighting softened for this one.

 And with lamps at the side and mainly lit by daylight through the window

 Despite the low contrast on the face, I like this one

Playing the piano

Now miming playing the piano 

Very similar to the previous one - which I prefer.

And, without spectacles:

This is the one Mollie and her husband chose.

 I wanted to get her closer to the books, but if you make the model do something uncomfortable, she'll generally look uncomfortable.  Lesson learned

Lessons Learned

I can do it on my own.  I didn't use an assistant.  Accept hospitality; it'll calm you down.
Talk, and listen.  I'm not great at either, but I know what I should be doing.  We're both fond of cats so there was lots to talk about.  I didn't try to include the cat, though.
Mollie asked me before the shoot if I want her to wear any specific clothing: light or dark.  I didn't know so I left it up to her.  Something lighter would have prevented her merging with the carpet in the last picture, but where the background was light, the dark clothing worked fine.
I'd planned to use reflections off the shiny surface of the piano, but the inverted face looks weird and isn't flattering.  I guess there's somethng to be made of this, but not for the current brief.