Winter work

Working out my new lens. Trying to figure it out. This photo is really soft and I am not sure why. Also would like to know what is wrong with it and what is good with it. You won't hurt my feelings. I just want to improve.

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background is distracting, subject seems to far away, snow is over exposed, her face is dark. winter is tricky for shooting pictures though.

static composition

Your right the background is very distracting. I guess adding more DOF would help? I will try to put it back in LR to see if I can brighten only the face.

Setcode can you explain what you mean? I think I will stick with indoor shots. My outdoor shots continue to look like snapshots.

Looks like you missed the focus. It appears to be on the tree in the background, while your subject is soft.

Otherwise the photo is not particularly interesting. There's too much "nothing" going on in the background to have it in focus.

I looked through your gallery and after that along with this shot my advice is to not worry so much about exposure or DoF and work on composition a little.

I like to try and convey how I see the subject in my shots. Make some eye contact with them through the lens and really grab the viewer. Try different angles.

Watch how they move while they are just sitting and talking to you, what features or mannerisms do you notice? Try and capture those through posing.

It looks like you have plenty of models to practice on! You said you wouldn't have hurt feelings so I am being honest. Keep working and asking for help here. There are a ton of great people photographers here.

When shooting in snowy conditions, white balance is often thrown off because the camera will attempt to use the prevalent white areas as neutral gray. Two things will help: 1) Set exposure compensation to +1 or more. 2) Shoot in RAW so you can correct WB later.

Looks like a shot from a point and shoot. Take advantage of your cameras control.