Taylor - Senior 2010... and my first senior shoot!

So, this is my first senior shoot. The young lady's mother saw bridal portraits I did of one of her coworkers and said she had to have me! This was the result.....

C&C Greatly appreciated!

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I think number 2 is my favorite. I am not sure I like the cleats and the formal outfit together. I assume she plays second base in softball but the dirty cleats and the glitzy dress and makeup are too much of a juxtaposition for me. I think I might have flopped the locations for outfits with the more glitzy on the swing and by the pool and the casual at the ballfield, of course this is just personal preference.

i take it she plays sports? i like the idea of 4 and 5, but i'm not sure it really conveys what i think you're trying to convey...

#4 especially...i really like that idea

Very nice overall, but #4 stands out as the best in this series. Very well done!

Slaterza wrote in post #8774808
I think number 2 is my favorite. I am not sure I like the cleats and the formal outfit together. I assume she plays second base in softball but the dirty cleats and the glitzy dress and makeup are too much of a juxtaposition for me. I think I might have flopped the locations for outfits with the more glitzy on the swing and by the pool and the casual at the ballfield, of course this is just personal preference.

You are correct, I would have done the same thing... BUT this is what the mother wanted! I made the suggestion and was shot down, SO she got what she wanted.... don't you just LOVE dealing with mothers! haha

jngo wrote in post #8776105
i take it she plays sports? i like the idea of 4 and 5, but i'm not sure it really conveys what i think you're trying to convey...

#4 especially...i really like that idea

Thanks jngo... #4 is also my favorite from the set. What I was trying to convey is that she is an athlete (softball player of course) but still a girly girl. What could I have done to better accomplish this?

sebr wrote in post #8776135
Very nice overall, but #4 stands out as the best in this series. Very well done!

Thanks sebr... after working with this OCF stuff, it's hard to go back to natural light only because the OCF just makes everything look.... cooler I guess you could say. I get better colors and such.

No. 5 is my fav. Very nice work. I think no. 3 is a little dark.

It looks like she had a hard time relaxing. Did she want to be there?

ronmayhew wrote in post #8780119
No. 5 is my fav. Very nice work. I think no. 3 is a little dark.

Thank you very much!

Stickman wrote in post #8780804
It looks like she had a hard time relaxing. Did she want to be there?

Uh as far as I know she did... She said she really enjoyed it and I didn't think she looked real tense in any of the shots. She looks MUCH more relaxed than som of the other senior pictures I've seen around. I think she did a great job!

CC (Constructive Criticism)

The focus and white balance on all of these is excellent!

#1. Broad lighting should be reserved only for subjects that are anorexic. The straight on hips make them appear to be wide. Wide translates to heavy and heavy translates to overweight. No woman wants to appear even one ounce overweight so never use broad lighting and straight on poses on any woman unless she weighs 75 pounds and is six feet tall. The "baseball bat" pose of her hands is unfeminine (same on pose 2.)

# 2. The background is too bright. The brightest thing (or the object of most contrast) in a portrait must be the face. If it is anything else, the impact of the image is lost.

#3. This is an awkward pose, but it CAN be used IF it is done properly. The proper way to do this pose is to have her lean back against something. This prevents the bulging upper arm muscles in the near arm because her weight is transferred to her back instead of her upper arm muscles. Next time have her place her left foot behind her right leg and have her bend the right leg just enough so the left foot shows in the hole created by raising that leg, then the left leg should have been leaned away from the camera. I would have had her drape the hand across the knee instead of gripping it. The gripped hand is yet another thing that will be fixed by having her lean against something. Draped or open hands look much better on a woman than does fists or gripping hands. It's all about femininty in feminine shots!

#4. Hard light sources are great for football players, but usually not beautiful young ladies. The shadows lack detail; an on camera fill light would have lifted them up to where they would have detail. Her back arm is missing and she has a hand growing out of her waist.

#5. Her torso is at a 90 degree angle to the camera exposing a HUGE white shoulder. A45 degree angle is usually a much better angle, and long sleeved clothing will hide large shoulders.

Benji

THAT is what I call Constructive Criticism! Thank you so much Benji! I'll def be studying your words and it is GREATLY appreciated!

DallasPhoto wrote in post #8784968
THAT is what I call Constructive Criticism! Thank you so much Benji! I'll def be studying your words and it is GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks DP. I enjoy giving critique to those who appreciate it.

Benji

What was the exif on #4? What lighting was used?

4 gets props for composition but also uncool points for using hard light.

Number 4 for me also.. sets a mood..

Notwithstanding Benji's excellent critique, I like Nos. 1 and 5 because the expressions are so good. No. 1 is the prettiest, No. 5 the most personality. Nice job.