first solo model shoot

hey guys, last weekend i met up with a friend who wanted to do a photo shoot. we are both new to this, she's been modelling for about 9 months, and ive only done 2 model shoots (both workshops). huge learning curve for me, no one there to set up the shots for me seeing as we are both new, any C&C would be greatly appreciated.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mcrow5/85434330​15/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mcrow5/85445302​22/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mcrow5/85434332​85/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mcrow5/85434333​49/

Don't worry, we all start somewhere. You'll get better no matter what.

#1 probably your best shot, but silhouettes aren't so hard.

#2 your worst shot. Position is awkward and lighting is very harsh with the direct sunlight. The shadow is very distinct instead of having a soft gradual transition from light to shadow.

#3 not bad. Try not to place the model directly in the middle of the shot. Use the rule of thirds to start with

#4 also a really good shot but watch the white balance. Her skin is really green. Again, avoid placing her in the middle.

thanks for the tips mate, ill be making sure i put the model to one side of the frame from now on.

with number 2, why do you say the lighting is harsh, but number 3 you didn't say? the photos where taken about 1 minute apart. also, would there be any way for me to get a better transition with the shadow in that lighting?

new version of number 4

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mcrow5/85447991​70/

mcrow5 wrote in post #15697450
thanks for the tips mate, ill be making sure i put the model to one side of the frame from now on.

with number 2, why do you say the lighting is harsh, but number 3 you didn't say? the photos where taken about 1 minute apart. also, would there be any way for me to get a better transition with the shadow in that lighting?

Use a light modifier. You can modify the sun just as you would hot lights or a flash. An umbrella or reflector would be a cheap, effective way.

Much better shot , there is still a bit of green on her neck..

mcrow5 wrote in post #15697450
thanks for the tips mate, ill be making sure i put the model to one side of the frame from now on.

with number 2, why do you say the lighting is harsh, but number 3 you didn't say? the photos where taken about 1 minute apart. also, would there be any way for me to get a better transition with the shadow in that lighting?

new version of number 4

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mcrow5/85447991​70/
IMG_8251-6 by mcrow5, on Flickr

mcrow5 wrote in post #15697450
thanks for the tips mate, ill be making sure i put the model to one side of the frame from now on.

with number 2, why do you say the lighting is harsh, but number 3 you didn't say? the photos where taken about 1 minute apart. also, would there be any way for me to get a better transition with the shadow in that lighting?

My fault, meant to also include #3 is also harsh but it doesn't look as harsh since the sun is directly in front of her and there's no obvious hard shadows running on her face like in #2 with the nose shadow.

My tip for most people, avoid direct sunlight. Put them in the shade. If you shoot in direct sunlight, you can have someone hold a scrim (basically a white translucent material to diffuse the light. You can use like a big white bed sheet if you want!). The scrim will make the light look like they're in the shade and gets rid of harsh shadows.

saea501 wrote in post #15697506
Use a light modifier. You can modify the sun just as you would hot lights or a flash. An umbrella or reflector would be a cheap, effective way.

been looking into reflectors, should i be looking at one that sits on the ground (i wont have any assistants so ill need a stand for it), or one that is up higher?

mcrow5 wrote in post #15699825
been looking into reflectors, should i be looking at one that sits on the ground (i wont have any assistants so ill need a stand for it), or one that is up higher?

It's very difficult to use a reflector without a person to hold it. You could get tripods and some clamps to hold the reflector up, but if it's windy at all, it'll blow down.

Looks like you missed focus in 4, sharpening in post usually won't help when you needed to get it right the first time. The two before that are okay, but they are pretty orange. Keep practicing and posting, and you'll get better!

I like the 1st one best.

#1 is great, that last one looks terrible from the processing, too many sharpening artifacts, if you must, go the other way, pull the clarity all the way down and make it soft and glow.

fashionrider wrote in post #15699936
It's very difficult to use a reflector without a person to hold it. You could get tripods and some clamps to hold the reflector up, but if it's windy at all, it'll blow down.

Ok, so reflectors are out. What could I use instead? The only lighting I have is a 430ex2 flash, and I don't want to spend much on new equipment just yet.

Get a small softbox or umbrella for your flash, and mount that onto a tripod. Whenever there's sun, face the model's back towards the sun. She'll be really dark since she's not facing the sun, but that's when you fill her in with the flash. Much better than facing the model to the sun, which produces harsh shadows/highlights, and also causes her to squint

Use your flash. It has high speed sync and its perfect to use in day light. If you don't want to spend too much money you have different ways of doing so. Maybe a long ETTL cord and use any old tripod as a stand.

Check out lighting 101

ok, so ive got a tripod and flash. i want to get an umbrella to make the lighting less harsh. so i was looking at getting the following to get a basic setup going.

[URL="flash cord"][URL="http://[UR​L]www.amazon.com/Inter​fit-Photographic-STR137-Multi-Straight/dp/B003VBO4U2​/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qi​d=1362975022&sr=8-2&keywords=ettl+cord+c​anon+long"]flash cord

[URL="http://[URL]www.​digitalcamerawarehouse​.com.au/prod6387.htm"]​umbrella

the only thing im confused about, how to i mount the umbrella to my tripod? with [URL="http://[URL]www.​digitalcamerawarehouse​.com.au/prod1871.htm"]​this?