Mixed Ethnicity Hawaiian Fashion Model

I was glad to do a photoshoot with an exotic model who’s mixed ethnicity (including Hawaiian) was only one the ingredients I enjoy mixing into a fun photography session.

This amateur model only has a handful of photoshoots under her belt, which means she is natural without already learned typical cookie cutter poses and self doubt.

The stunning location for the following photos is the high cliffs of Portlock just before sunset which is between the affluent neighborhood Hawaii Kai and the famous tourist spot Hanauma Bay.

Fashion Model Under Cliff And Palm Tree

Creating a background is a rewarding task at this location in the form of the striated lava rock walls and the unobstructed view at the Pacific Ocean. The tall palm tree and the stretching model repeat the same shape in this photo making visual sense to the viewer.

Casual photo with nice warm colors which compliment the surroundings and stylish Coco Chanel designer sunglasses. This is a great time of the day for taking pictures, the setting sun is not too bright or too hot. At the latitude of Hawaii though this magical time is rather short lived; the same goes for sunrises as well.

Black and white versions of the images below are overlaid with the Rule Of Thirds grid. Not all compositions are perfect but I want to show examples when ignoring these rules of photography is OK and when it is an error.

Overlaying the Rule Of Thirds grid, we can see that the palm tree is in one grid cross hair and the model’s body is perfectly halved by a vertical grid line. It is OK that the bottom right grid intersection is not over the model’s face, because her white pans are one of the first things the viewer would look at anyways.

Portrait Of Exotic Model With Sunglasses

Sidelit portrait photographed with designer Chanel sunglasses. The warm color scheme of the photo is interrupted by the turquoise necklace to present some variation.

Overlaying the Rule Of Thirds grid, we can see that the top right grid crosshair is in the middle of the model’s face, due to her tilted head. The two horizontal grid lines happen to slice the composition in an interesting way as well: one at the top of the higher shoulder, another at the bottom of the underarm.

Models with strong bone structures and amazing facial features will photograph beautifully from above. These portraits can evoke different emotions in viewers.

Overlaying the Rule Of Thirds grid, we can see that because the model is looking down, the cross hair cannot be on her eye but the result is still a balanced composition proving that the Rule is simply a Guideline.

Model Looking Into Hawaiian Sunset

The sun is about the touch the horizon as it can be seen in the reflection of the sunglasses. This is absolutely gorgeous warm light. The striated lava rocks is an excellent non-intrusive background. The brief window of sunset offers a chance for the model to look directly into the sun without being blinded.

The camera tilt is not only creating exciting and dynamic feel but also automatically putting the model’s lips in the top right cross hair of the Rule of Thirds grid.

Mixed Ethnicity Fashion Model Against Lava Rock

A casual but slightly edgy pose yet again from a different vantage point; I enjoy the color harmony between all elements in this photo especially when it comes to the model’s tanned skin and the lava rocks.

If the model in the original image seems squished into the top right corner, the misaligned Rule of Thirds grid further proves it.

I am including several variations of the same setup just to illustrate that it is worth the time to really explore a setup and shoot it in as many different ways as possible. It’s a great feeling when the last photo of the bunch turns out to be the keeper justifying the effort and creativity that was put into the session.

Even though the face of the model is not in a grid intersection, her head and right arm do line up with the vertical grid lines.

Using a wide angle lens includes a lot more background and creates dynamic lines. Notes about wide angle model photography: if a őart of the model is too close to the camera, it can be unpleasantly enlarged. If the camera is not level, the head or the legs will also be stretched.

All these distortions can be fixed of course but post production is already time consuming enough so it is better to avoid these mistakes.

The wide angle composition did throw a monkey wrench into the Rule of Thirds concept, one thing is worth noticing: the model – more or less – occupies 2/3rd of the frame horizontally speaking.

Hawaiian Model Sitting On Lava Rock

Perhaps a heavenly modeling photo as the clouds provide a painting like backdrop. As long as the model naturally flows with her surroundings the “poses” will be natural and balanced. The beautiful warm side lighting is provided by literally the last minute of sunlight.

Overlaying the Fibonacci spiral, we can see that the combination of the lines of the lava rocks and the pose of the model guides the viewer’s eyes along a pleasant curving path.

Exotic Portrait Of Mixed Ethnicity Model

I really enjoy composing close-up portraits; I really like all the elements in this photo, the mood and the background as well. As the sun dipped into the Pacific Ocean, beautiful soft light was provided which was perfect for an intimate portrait.

Overlaying the Rule Of Thirds grid, we can see that the face of the model is perfectly divided into four quadrants. The bottom turquoise stone is almost in the bottom right cross hair, but close enough to add something to look at opposite from the model’s face, balancing out the composition.

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