Into the light - first attempt

I have just started to shoot portraits and tried 'shooting into the light' a couple of days ago, here's a couple that I would like you guys to be critical with.

Please don't just say 'nice photo', if you do think it's nice, please state why. I would like to improve on these images and would like to know what I should do to improve them.

Both images taken with 5D and 580ex.
Lens is 24-105 @ 85 mm.
1/30 sec @ f4

Second shot is converted to Sepia - obviously.

I would really appreciate your heavy c&c on these, thanks guys...

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Nice Photo.

The bamboo bars make it look like "locked within", and she doesn't look happy.

Is that the look you were going for?

Wazza wrote in post #2040952
Nice Photo.

The bamboo bars make it look like "locked within", and she doesn't look happy.

Is that the look you were going for?

Yeah, that's the look I wanted, well kinda anyways, I was trying to get her to look kinda scared/lost/lonely, but that's the best the good do.

Yep yep. You've been missing in action the past 3 weeks. Hope you've been taking a lot of photos

I am not sure about if I would use a flash directly, just use as a fill...and with the first image you can tell you didn't have your flash on fill.
I think if you open your lens f-stop wide, and meter off of her face usually you can get some great images...make sure though that the light isn't toooo bright.
Had done a senior and shot as the sun was going down.

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Lisa F wrote in post #2043746
I am not sure about if I would use a flash directly, just use as a fill...and with the first image you can tell you didn't have your flash on fill.
I think if you open your lens f-stop wide, and meter off of her face usually you can get some great images...make sure though that the light isn't toooo bright.
Had done a senior and shot as the sun was going down.

Thanks Lisa, what do you mean by just using the flash as a fill?

I personally do not own or use a flash.....but you stated that you had your 580EX on your camera. You need to meter off of her face, and dial your flash one or two stops down...that way you are not blowing out her face...and take the shot. This is what you would do if you are even using the on-camera flash.
I use a reflector to bounce a bit back onto her..but the pic I posted we didn't have much sun...I opened my lens up as high as possible, and exposed at plus 1 on her. This image is also post-processed.....using my tweaking here and there .

very creative. I like the bw.

the third is my absolute favorite.