Two of my girlfriend

Two quick shots from tonight, I was using two 45" umbrellas both 45 degrees off to either side of the model. Let me know what you think I can improve upon, very new to this stuff (she is the only person I have shot!). I also have a 43" 5-in-1 reflector, where can I fit that into these shots? Reflect it onto her hair?

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

looks clean man be better with a smile lol

Good lightning but she needs to look more natural... shyness???

Shoot from little higer angle, shoot with longer focal length.

Were you holding her kitten hostage so she'd sit for you? (jk)

They look pretty nice.

Yea she's a little shy!!! Not the most flattering facial expression but oh well, I'll get a nice smile next time.

I'll try with my 80-200mm for a longer focal length and I'll stand on a 12" high box for a different angle.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Oh... two of your girlfriend, I thought two of your girlfriends. LOL!!

tman2782 wrote in post #13923315
Oh... two of your girlfriend, I thought two of your girlfriends. LOL!!

That's what I thought also.

In a situation like that, find your lighting and setup and keep shooting while talking to her. Tell her something interesting or funny or just goofy. Eventually you'll capture a smile, a glimmer in an eye or something. This looks looks almost agitated that you're taking the shots. Like a half-hearted attempt at a smile. In the first one, I'd have put her left hand on her hip. That's a naturally confident pose, and it probably would've helped rotate her torso into a more flattering position -- and maybe helped her smile!

But technically speaking, these are nice photos. Just remember that only half a portrait photographer's job is taking the photograph.

Very nice, but also play with the ratio of key light to fill light to provide some shadow, as it defines shape. Pretty girlfriend. Jim

Thanks guys. I downloaded a pose guide that I'll use as a reference in the future. I'll get her smiling next time

bobbyz wrote in post #13922367
Shoot from little higer angle, shoot with longer focal length.

This
Plus what others have said. Your lighting is too flat. You need a little shadowing to provide depth. Try one umbrella to the side and one above the camera providing a little fill at less power.