lighting, posing, editing critique please

Im just got my home studio to a point i can start shooting in it, I'm no pro and i have never charged for any of my work, this is just a hobby.
But, i would like to take this hobby to a level that i feel happy charging for it and possibly something worth quitting my job for.
For me to achieve this i would like you all to tell me straight and criticise my lighting, posing, cropping, clothing choices etc
i plan on using this thread to constantly upload my progress and for your feedback.
These first few images were to try out the studio and all i had for models were my kids straight in from school, oh and a cat. they are slightly edited and posed and the clothing was just what they were in, however i have tried my best with the lighting.

Fire away

2 more

2 more

last 1 for now

Don't give up that day job just yet...exposure is terrible/too close to the wall/lighting is harsh.

Do you think it's over or under exposed? I used a light meter under the chin facing camera.
The stood up shots were kept against the wall as I wanted the spotlight effect, I tried a few sat of the wall but it didnt look right not having the harsh spotlight on them.
P.s I used a bare speedlight zoomed to 105 for the spotlight and a snoot to light the face, both on the right hand side. Would I have been better placing the snoot on th left?

Maybe it would help to explain why you think its wrong and/or offer suggestions for better shots in the future?

In the first shot you need more fill. The hard shadow down the edge of her nose is heavy and deep.

In the wall shots the kids need to fill more of the frame. Negative space can work but its too much here.

Just commenting on first one, which does have merit.

I think the knees are a dit out of place, crop out or cover (longer trousers?).

It looks to me as if she is holding a prop. It would be better if it looked like she was playing. It would have to look plugged in too.

I think it would be better if the guitar was angled up rather than near horizontal.

Boy. Tough crowd.

I think gonzo is right. I think the first picture is too "head on". But for early tries I think they are really good. I like the ideas at the wall. You can fiddle a little with negative space but I really like the lighting. I also liked the last one of your daughter. Very cute.

You're going in the right direction IMO. Keep it up.

Thanks so far. I've ordered a reflector stand and set of 5 reflectors to try help with fill. Also ordered a 120cm octabox and boom stand.
I cropped her feet out on the pics as they just looked ugly, thought I would get away with the knees.
The guitar is just 1 I was given so guess I'll have to look into how it's held etc.
Cheers for the help so far though, keep it coming

chauncey wrote in post #17710455
Don't give up that day job just yet...exposure is terrible/too close to the wall/lighting is harsh.

What a crappy reply... why even post if you aren't going to offer anything constructive?! Lazy and rude, imo!

rickmar1905 -

The first two look a little over exposed to me (on my non-calibrated monitor). With the first one specifically I agree with Martin regarding the knees/pants. On the second, maybe a portrait shot/crop with all of her legs and feet in the shot would have worked better. (Edit) I just read that you cropped her feet out. Bare feet or shoes? I'm not much a foot person, lol, but I still think it would have looked better in portrait w/feet.

I like the style of your next shots and think you executed them good enough, but I feel that maybe a little kid isn't the best subject for the style? Seems like maybe a style more suited for a teenage boy or female model... Now, I have no experience with this sort of thing, but that is just the feeling I got. So a grain of salt and all that.

The final image is just ok to me. I like the light on her right eye, but wish the other was better lit. The angle/pose is a little off too I think, but I'm not sure what to suggest other than maybe having her lift her head and you positioning yourself so that you can see less of her body -- again, I'm not too sure, maybe it is just her white shirt on the white rug...

Anyways, I think you are doing pretty well and you'll only get better by practicing and sharing here.

Thanks for sharing!

Tried again, day off selfies.

I am all i had, not exactly a "model" but good light and posing practice.
same spotlight as before but i added a sped light with snoot to try and expose the face more evenly.
also tried to fill some of the negative with a guitar and radio, steel feel i should be cropping tighter but i like to get the been from a narrow point, maybe a wider reflector will give me a better been meaning i can get the narrow point closer, whilst still just covering the subject. something ill maybe try tomorrow.
keep the CC coming please.

i think a large source on camera axis would make nice fill for this style shot.

you could shoot the speedlight into the reflector.