First time model shots

[staciecd]

My friend's done some modeling, so I took some pictures of her and her equally beautiful sister. The background wasn't the greatest, but I'm really looking for solid feedback - sharpness, colors, pose. Is there one that really stands out as awesome/professional.

Thanks so much!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/staciephoto/sets/72157594360645268/

[Dante King]

many seem overexposed. I dont care for alot of the crops or poses, they make the shots seem more like snapshots. Background needs to be blurred our or moved from the scene. For exapmle in one, it looks like part of a step ladder in in the frame. Colors, contrast and sat all look muted. Hard to tell sharpness from the size flicker displays, but this only looks off on a couple. I think the most professional like shot is models_001.

Sorry to be harsh, but you asked.

[moshe3242]

Yes, I agree with dante.
try to work with a cleaner setup and open your shutter so you get shallow DOF.
It seem like you are using a flash gun and if you do then you are shooting too close to the model. try to back up a little or lower the power of the flash.
If you give some info on the lighting it will be easier to give an advise.
keep on shooting, it will come eventually.

[staciecd]

Lighting was horrible. I use natural light and didn't use a flash that much (just the camera's flash and I didn't want that going off in the girl's eyes constantly.). I'm surprised about the crop comment - I was trying to crop out the background to focus on the model, plus the girls needed head shots. So I need to add more background?

I appreciate the comments very much - I really want to learn how to take professional shots.

[bdj3]

Don't add too much background for head shots. The person looking at the comp card wants to see the model and not the background.

[jra]

It looks like the main problem I notice is lighting and exposure. The lighting from the direct flash (where it was used) is very harsh and unflattering, a bounced flash would have definately yeilded better results. I like the outdoor shots but many of them seem to suffer from overexposure and not a limited enough DOF to isolate your subject. There are also a few near the end that suffer from underexposure but maybe the "dark look" is what you were aiming for.
Also, your WB seems to jump around from photo to photo, the models skin tones just aren't very consistant.

[Curtis N]

open your shutter so you get shallow DOF.Shutter speed doesn't affect DOF.

We need to be careful with technical advice. "Open your shutter" is something you do in bulb mode, and you need to close it at some point. ;)

[disneydork06]

not bad. a bit overexposed and seems a little soft. and beautiful models

[Dimitry]

The one I like the best if "models_012", otherwise the poses are a litlte too croped in for shots that should be at least show a bit more imo. Face shots are usually done more straight on for formal portraits or at least slightly differnet poses. Though this is simply what I've seen work more and what appeals to me. Keep shooting though, you definately have some gorgeous subjects!