Are these any good?

Did a quick shoot last week, with a wonderful model, Suzie. I'm not too enthusiastic with most of my images. What do you guys think of these? CC welcome. Thanks for looking.
1.

A.Tan wrote in post #8439623
I'm not too enthusiastic with most of my images.

Really? I should probably just quit then. These are both great shots in my opinion. The lighting is superb, the posing is flattering, everything just works. Not to mention I'm a sucker for flares executed like that.

Nice shots. I'd prefer a little less wide angle exaggeration in the first shot, but thats personal taste. Lighting and execution is spot on.

I agree, I'm not a fan of the #1 simply because of the angle of the body and lens (how wide it is), but that's simply my taste. The product is very good.

Second one is great. Both composition, timing, lighting, everything. Very nice.

ok - what are you talking about?! Don't like your images?! seriously...
The second one is Vogue magazine quality. Maybe it was lucky, maybe not. But all I care about is the result. Great photo! Given that - I don't care for the first one.

PlentyGood wrote in post #8439675
Really? I should probably just quit then. These are both great shots in my opinion. The lighting is superb, the posing is flattering, everything just works. Not to mention I'm a sucker for flares executed like that.

Thanks for the kind words.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8439986
Nice shots. I'd prefer a little less wide angle exaggeration in the first shot, but thats personal taste. Lighting and execution is spot on.

Thanks, I'd take it easy on the super wide from now on.

aram535 wrote in post #8440234
I agree, I'm not a fan of the #1 simply because of the angle of the body and lens (how wide it is), but that's simply my taste. The product is very good.

Second one is great. Both composition, timing, lighting, everything. Very nice.

Thank you, I appreciate your comments.

korrektor wrote in post #8440484
ok - what are you talking about?! Don't like your images?! seriously...
The second one is Vogue magazine quality. Maybe it was lucky, maybe not. But all I care about is the result. Great photo! Given that - I don't care for the first one.

I appreciate your input. I think my 17-40mm will spend more time in the bag from now on. On the second one, I actually selected from from about a dozen shots, with different flare angles/intensities.

The model didn't comment when I ask her if she liked them or not, so I took it as she didn't like them, that's mainly the reason why I wasn't too happy I guess.

Thanks for all your comments, they're really appreciated.

A.Tan wrote in post #8440951
The model didn't comment when I ask her if she liked them or not, so I took it as she didn't like them, that's mainly the reason why I wasn't too happy I guess.

Thanks for all your comments, they're really appreciated.

Keep in mind that models are probably looking at different things than photographers. I once took a shot of a model that I was very proud of. Exposure was perfect, focus was spot on, nice creamy bokeh, and the perfect balance of fill to ambient. I thought possibly I had made the perfect portrait of this woman, people complimented me on it. She dismissed it in 5 seconds because she felt she was too pouty..... Models dont always appreciate the craftsmanship involved.

yep... models just want to "look pretty" - their version of pretty... so unless they are paying for the shoot - don't really listen to them

number 1 is ok.. not ground breaking.. i can't put my finger on it.. but maybe the dark backgound or wide angle view..

the lighting is good on the first one too.. but still missing something..


now the second one is fantastic !!.. minus the light stand.. clone tool??

the flare is super cool..

phamster

Pham, I think what the photo is lacking is maybe....maybe..a slight rim light. I dig the lighting on the model, that's spot on. I feel like there needs to be a bit of separation from the background. Even if you had to do this in 2 shots, so that you don't get much of a shadow from the rim light, that'd be fine. Just a touch of backlighting would do the trick, I think.

I like the first one but the light inside the little gazebo is distracting. Really like #2!

I love #2.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8441010
Keep in mind that models are probably looking at different things than photographers. I once took a shot of a model that I was very proud of. Exposure was perfect, focus was spot on, nice creamy bokeh, and the perfect balance of fill to ambient. I thought possibly I had made the perfect portrait of this woman, people complimented me on it. She dismissed it in 5 seconds because she felt she was too pouty..... Models dont always appreciate the craftsmanship involved.

Thanks, I sure hope that's just the case. I can't be happy when the model's not happy though.

korrektor wrote in post #8441672
yep... models just want to "look pretty" - their version of pretty... so unless they are paying for the shoot - don't really listen to them

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. btw, it's a TFP.

phamster wrote in post #8441775
number 1 is ok.. not ground breaking.. i can't put my finger on it.. but maybe the dark backgound or wide angle view..

the lighting is good on the first one too.. but still missing something..


now the second one is fantastic !!.. minus the light stand.. clone tool??

the flare is super cool..

phamster

I appreciate your thoughts. I was debating to myself if I should clone out the light stand, but laziness took over, and I thought it wasn't too distracting (I guess I was wrong, I'll clone it out on my next edit)

jbone wrote in post #8442252
I like the first one but the light inside the little gazebo is distracting. Really like #2!

Thanks, I agree with you. Next time, I'll be more aware of different colored lights.

katerinase wrote in post #8442815
I love #2.

Thank you.

I happen to like the exaggerated angle in the first one. You shouldn't stay away from that style just because other photographers don't like it. It's personal taste, not a technical "faux pas". Both shots are SUPERB and you should be more confident about your work

Love the 2nd one!