Butch Mazzuca
March 2025 - Ilona
About the Image(s)
I’m not a portrait photographer, I’m a generalist. But I got the idea for this image from a magazine and decided to try shooting this for fun. The woman’s name is Ilona and she was the receptionist where I used to get my hair cut - she was always perfectly coiffed so I asked her if she’s pose for me. Canon 1DX - Canon 24-70@57mm ISO 2000 - f6.3 - 1/500th second - I used an opaque sheet of glass and lighted the subject with a daylight balanced Ice Light (see B&H for Ice Lights) against a black backdrop - I was trying to do something different on a cold winter’s day.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Butch, I am not a portrait photographer either but I really like what you have done with Ilona. Skin tone, colors and balance are excellent. I also like that you didn't go totally black on your low key background. The pose is also quite striking. The only minor minor thing I would fix is just above her lower gold bracelet there are two small dark spots that I would remove. Super image. Posted: 03/06/2025 19:37:45
Thank you Tom - I believe the dark spots are shadows but good point, I will remove them Posted: 03/15/2025 15:34:11
(Group 32)
This is a really great pose, and really enhanced by your very willing and interactive model.
I am not sure the reflection is a good idea. It works, but I also think the image would work without the reflection.
I study a lot of photography history. Here is a famous Man Ray photograph from 1926 (Noire et Blanche [Black and White]) that your image reminds me of. Posted: 03/07/2025 23:07:41
I am not sure the reflection is a good idea. It works, but I also think the image would work without the reflection.
I study a lot of photography history. Here is a famous Man Ray photograph from 1926 (Noire et Blanche [Black and White]) that your image reminds me of. Posted: 03/07/2025 23:07:41
Thanks Steven - and thanks for sharing the Man Ray photograph - I was trying to do something different and creative and agree, there are options, but this was my purpose in using the opaque black glass - at the same time, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and 'research' - thank you! Posted: 03/15/2025 15:37:07
You have a very striking image. You have an attractive woman with an unusual but interesting pose. It is good that the reflection is a bit darker and maybe a bit less sharp, so that it looks like a reflection and not just a mirror image that you created. The lighting is very good, and the black background is very effective. I do think that Stephen has a good point, that maybe the reflection was not needed. Posted: 03/15/2025 15:17:16
Thanks for everyone's comments - my purpose was to create the reflection - I was just playing around trying to do something different Posted: 03/15/2025 15:32:08
Clever! Very nice, clean image. Good colours and great reflection really making the image stand out. One very minor, picky thing though - I would look at removing that dark line which goes from her left eye towards the hairline. I don't think it is makeup as it is only on one side, and it bothers me just a little. But love it otherwsie! Posted: 03/20/2025 19:29:50
Judith - my apologies for not responding sooner but for some reason the website isn't notifying me when someone comments and would ask Tom to look into that. So thanks for the heads up, my email is bmazz68@icloud.com so if you would, please highlight what you're referring too - there's a makeup line that's imperfect and the shadow created by her hand so I'm unclear of what you're referring to, so it would be most helpful to me if you could illustrate in an email - much appreciated Posted: 03/24/2025 14:18:48
Not sure what to say. My first reaction was Siamese twins. I think I would like it better without the mirror image using a black surface. She is pretty and engaged! Wonderful model. Posted: 03/21/2025 03:41:39
Thank you for you comments Barbara Posted: 03/24/2025 14:22:24
Great job Butch. A day well spent. I like the image as it is. As an author if you wanted to experiment and do something different and include the reflection it has worked very well. It does not take away anything away from the image or the model. The pose is superb, model very confident and yet charming and you photographed her well. Agree with Judith on the dark line, even though it does not intrude too much. Very well done Butch. Posted: 03/21/2025 04:21:13
Thank you so much Hoshedar, I really appreciate your kind words, Yes, I was happy with it - and as noted, I'm a generalist so this was something I just wanted to try - as I wrote to Judith, if you can send me the image illustrated it would help, (bmazz68@icloud.com); but I'm not sure what you and Judith are referring to - I see a blemish in makeup from the corner of her eye, and a shadow that leads to her hairline, but you're the first two who've commented on that, so I'm eager to fix it - having said that, I'm not eager to re-shoot because it was kind of a one off "rainy day" type shoot. :-) Posted: 03/24/2025 14:28:29
What a striking image and pose. I think you executed it well and probably learned a bit for the exercise. I can see the line that has been mentioned, out of the outside corner of her left eye. I can't seem to download the image to edit. Overall, I would say this image is a success. And a beautiful model! Posted: 03/26/2025 05:00:04
Thank you Tomi - it was fun to do Posted: 03/26/2025 14:02:26