C&C Request

[sixsixfour]

These are a few photos Ive taken in the past few days. Any input to improve or change anything are greatly appreciated!

1.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/macky_664/apocalipstick/PR08.jpg

2.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/macky_664/apocalipstick/AP15_t.jpg

3.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/macky_664/apocalipstick/AP14.jpg

4.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/macky_664/apocalipstick/AP16.jpg

5.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/macky_664/apocalipstick/AP17.jpg

6.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/macky_664/apocalipstick/AP09.jpg

7.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/macky_664/apocalipstick/AP19.jpg


Thanks for looking!

[seed808]

Nice pics.... Thanks for sharing

[Wildewinds]

Great shots. I especially like #6. If that truck weren't there, it'd be even better.

I don't think the post processing of #3 adds to the shot.

[howzitboy]

nice shot, she look fine in all of em.

shot 4 that thing behind her head gotta go and same as 5 with that opened window. wildewinds already mentioned that truck in number 6 and is just slightly tipped to the right.
all in all, good job!

[DAMphyne]

The background becomes part of the photo, and in most of these shots it distracts or overwhelms the main subject. She is a lovely model,but you need to be carefull about the space around her. Pic #1 and #3 work, #1 there is no distraction and #3 the background is part of the photo story. You can change your angle of view or try to blur the backgrounds in pictures like the rest.

[jayspec]

1. Not bad, but the two straight lines coming out of her head distract. Hair is a little bit all over the place, and she's not demonstrably outside like she is in the other shots. I like the contrast of the heart necklace against her skin. Looks like you might have lost a bit of detail on her outfit, but that might just be a result of posting the image to the web. Also not a fan of the crookedness. (In my other life as a theatrical director, I've seen gazillions of headshots like this. It might just be a personal preference.)

2. Why does she look bored? I don't mind a model looking bored in a photo per se, but the photo needs to demonstrate the reason she's bored, or concentrate on her boredom as a subject. The background is busy and distracting.

3. Not a fan of selective coloring. Same background, still too busy. The writing on the sidewalk bothers me, too.

4. Eyes are closed for no obvious reason.

5. What is she chewing on, and why is she chewing on it? Again, the lines of the... (I'll call it a scarf) could work in a more abstract photo, but the background, model, and outfit point to realism.

6. An object lesson in how badly a single background element can ruin an otherwise excellent photo. Looking at it actually gets me angry at whoever was driving it. :)

7. Hair in the face (but hey, it's windy). Is the light post crooked, or is the horizon, because the model is straight. That crooked light post is really distracting. Don't like the hands or expression in this particular composition. (Again, it could work if it were obvious why she was reacting with mild surprise.)

[sixsixfour]

thanks for all the criticism! Im actually looking forward to implement these into my next shoot with a different person. its really hard, especially because some comments actually came into mind the instant i looked at them after the fact.

I appreciate all the responses and keep them coming!

[tdodd]

Here are the thoughts of a rank amateur, with little or no experience posing and shooting models, so please don't be upset if you disagree with my opinions.

1. I think there is a little too much shadow on the right side of her face (left side of the picture). Her chest area looks very pale, almost bluish and I think could do with warming up a bit to closer match her face, neck and arms.

2-5. I don't mind the bored look in (2) too much but it does seem a bit odd. If she had been waiting for someone at a railway station or outside a cinema it would make more sense but not just at random in the street. I'm less happy about the background. At least it is somewhat soft and not too busy in number (2) but in shots (3)-(5) you've got the same/similar background and it is pretty unappealing. The B&W treatment conceals the problem a lot in (3) but really the backgrounds in (4) & (5) do nothing for me. You have a lovely looking model and I'd rather see her in a scene of tropical paradise, not a row of houses.

In number (4) she looks like she might be enjoying a pleasant thought/memory, or just enjoying the sun, but it is not right in this setting. She should be somewhere far more exotic/romantic. In (5) I have no idea why she is chewing the tie. This is sort of "naughty schoolgirl" territory but the setting is hardly suitable and she isn't quite dressed the part.

6. The truck does spoil the shot. I don't like the way her body is facing the camera straight on or that her arm is cut off. With alternate positioning you could have used the model to completely obscure the truck.

7. I like the pose and skin colour but the hair is a little messy. The angle of the lamp post is rather odd, especially with something beside it that is almost vertical, but I think the horizon may be as wonky as the lamp. Maybe another lamp would make a better choice. A crop would sort out the people entering on the right of the photo.

It seems you're struggling a bit to get a nice backdrop in this location. Perhaps a nice sunset would help out a lot , and would go well with your model, but it looks like you were unfortunate with the skies on the day.

[sixsixfour]

Here are the thoughts of a rank amateur, with little or no experience posing and shooting models, so please don't be upset if you disagree with my opinions.

1. I think there is a little too much shadow on the right side of her face (left side of the picture). Her chest area looks very pale, almost bluish and I think could do with warming up a bit to closer match her face, neck and arms.

2-5. I don't mind the bored look in (2) too much but it does seem a bit odd. I'm less happy about the background. At least it is somewhat soft and not too busy in number (2) but in shots (3)-(5) you've got the same/similar background and it is pretty unappealing. The B&W treatment conceals the problem a lot in (3) but really the backgrounds in (4) & (5) do nothing for me. You have a lovely looking model and I'd rather see her in a scene of tropical paradise, not a row of houses.

In number (4) she looks like she might be enjoying a pleasant thought/memory, or just enjoying the sun, but it is not right in this setting. She should be somewhere far more exotic/romantic. In (5) I have no idea why she is chewing the tie. This is sort of "naughty schoolgirl" territory but the setting is hardly suitable and she isn't quite dressed the part.

6. The truck does spoil the shot. I don't like the way her body is facing the camera straight on or that her arm is cut off. With alternate positioning you could have used the model to completely obscure the truck.

7. I like the pose and skin colour but the hair is a little messy. The angle of the lamp post is rather odd, especially with something beside it that is almost vertical, but I think the horizon may be as wonky as the lamp. Maybe another lamp would make a better choice. A crop would sort out the people entering on the right of the photo.

It seems you're struggling a bit to get a nice backdrop in this location. Perhaps a nice sunset would help out a lot , and would go well with your model, but it looks like you were unfortunate with the skies on the day.

Thank you! I appreciate the time you took to comment and I actually look forward to people pointing out these things for me.

pic 1 - this was shot w/o flash, at I think ISO200, in a garage with the door wide open. i did play with a couple variants but this is the one with the least (almost none) amount of PP. I could have used the flash to bounce off the left side to even out the light. Ill keep that in mind next time!

pic 2 through 5 - i wasnt happy with the available background either. i tried to blur it out as best I can, but forgot to bring a faster lens so I was screwed as soon as i opened my gear bag. i experimented with angles, but now that you point it out, it isnt as good as it looked at the time. it was cold though, and that was a continuous row of beachfront mini houses. add to the fact she was wearing heels, and it was rather a "spur of the moment shoot" and that severely limited my options.

pic 4 - i agree. I wanted to take her somewhere a bit private, if not romantic, but her coworker tagged along to see the shoot and i didnt know until we met up. so rather than go to my intended location, i had to deviate since i didnt feel comfortable sharing that location with people i didnt intend to. the tie chewing was just an afterthought. i was running out of options and the sand was getting into my gear lol

pic 6 - actually i did intend to get the truck in there. i tried to recompose to see what hiding the lifeguard truck would do but that exposed the public parking lot to the left side of the picture. zooming in didnt give me the desired composition so i fired off the shot once i composed the truck in the frame.

pic 7 - the hair was a problem, it was very windy so i tried to fire off rapid shots as fast as i could to catch the face unobscured (obviously to no avail). i didnt really catch the person in the frame but I guess at the time i was more worried of catching a shot without the hair lol. you're right about the street sign next to the lamp though - i will see what i can do with that in photoshop tonight.

lastly, I agree with your final thoughts. i was struggling with the beach shots because, as ive said, that was not my original venue. her coworker kinda ruined the shoot by coming along unannounced. more time spent discussing options without a thrid wheel listening in would have helped me plan shots better. her coworker just didnt make me feel comfortable. it was sunset, but just not at the place i intended originally.

again, many thanks for your input!

[tdodd]

I think it's much easier to be wise after the event. I always struggle to get the right composition and lighting in my photos (notice I haven't posted any for C&C :) ) but with time to sit back and reflect on a picture it is so much easier to find the flaws. I guess the experts see the problems before they take the shot. I have to try to sort out my errors back at home :)

[sixsixfour]

I think it's much easier to be wise after the event. I always struggle to get the right composition and lighting in my photos (notice I haven't posted any for C&C ) but with time to sit back and reflect on a picture it is so much easier to find the flaws. I guess the experts see the problems before they take the shot. I have to try to sort out my errors back at home
i agree. i mainly shoot inanimate objects - people pictures are still relatively new to me. i will have to do a lot more fine tuning to get framing and composition right. ive been shooting for about 15 years now, mostly amateur to advanced amateur, nothing pro since this is more of a hobby. but maybe ill ratchet things up a notch to improve on low light (my fave) and abstract shots.
thanks again!