Model
Chris Keep
Posts: 8
London, England, United Kingdom
Thankyou very much for the appraisal, appreciate everything said!
I'll work on creating more depth of expression through hand and arm use,
Height isn't ideal but there's nothing I can do about that, so work to the best of my ability.
Again, huge thanks. All the best!
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Hannah Lois wrote:
Would love to know your thoughts  Hello Hannah Lois -
your profile is very clear and direct - perhaps a bit less "chatty" than I am accustomed to, but if you don't want your time wasted, I can see the value in this approach, especially for a model - certainly everything I would need to know to make a decision about working with you is in place.....
you have a portfolio that I think is a good size - but there are repeat images from the same series.... from my perspective I am not seeing enough full length shots demonstrating your posing variety and approach....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31186451
I don't know what mood the photographer was going for, but this shot comes across to me as very tense - it's primarily in the hands -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#31186435
a strong look and good style - I'm not a fan of the posture - I can see bringing the camera side shoulder forward and perhaps up for an over the shoulder look, but I would have liked to see a strong posture here - and again, the hands are detracting for me a bit - i am a big believer in elegant use of hands -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#16136494
this is smashing - you are really selling this with the look, the mood
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#15179237
this is very lovely and charming - beautiful shot - this and the follow on image
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#15179223
beautiful look - I would have liked to have seen a little more elegant hands here
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 51#9553763
I am not getting the pose and look for a fashion shot - but then again I am not seeing this in the context of a story or moodboard
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 51#9553438
really like this
in sum
I hope to eventually see more full length shots demonstrating a variety of posing - and a bit larger portfolio -
in my opinion, the better the posture, the better the pose - at last in 90% of cases
I think that the use of hands is that final detail in a pose that can be either a bit of a detraction or an elegant statement
Model
L e s y a
Posts: 15
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Thank you so much for your input - I appreciate all your suggestions and comments.
Photographer
My name is Frank
Posts: 554
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Lemme feel what you feel!
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Dontez Akins wrote:
I am up for a critique Hello Dontez Akins -
I see from your profile that you've been on MM for 3.5 years and rate yourself as very experienced.....
you also have a very large portfolio - I will try to select a few images to illustrate general points I see in your work....
here is an example in an out of doors shot
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28348619
where exposure overall is an issue - also in this case the sun as rim light is just too hot without under-exposing the shot, or using a scrim to soften it....
I am seeing a lot of skin tone that is not quite right due to a tendency to either over expose in camera or process for a light, unsaturated look.
Since you list yourself as doing compensated work only - if people are buying it, stick with it - but from a purely technical standpoint it does not pass muster
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/29894988
either the frontal placement and quality of the light, the exposure, or the edit, is killing the detail in this shot - it does look quite a bit over exposed - I am seeing this in quite a lot of your shots including on ebony skin....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25857227
here is another example - either in lighting exposure or processing detail and depth is being lost - I see a lot of images that look flat, without a sense of dimensionality - this is usually due to frontal lighting
this on the other hand is very nice
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30481028
nice light and shadowing, super perspective and use of leading and trailing lines creates a superb sense of depth and realism
lovely beauty headshot
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30838176
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/26381523
very cool shot - love the perspective and toning -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25080423
love this - great capture and edit
in sum
I find your profile to be a bit of a mixed bag -
the bad:
a lot of lost detail and flat images from either the direction and quality of light employed, exposure choice or post work - resulting also in skin tones that do not seem right in some shots
I am specifically not speaking about images where it is clear that it is a choice made in post or in composition with back light
the good
some really nice perspectives and compositions - but not consistently
a minority of shots with very nice depth and toning
a general high key / high energy vibe to your work
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
SPF Photography wrote:
Give me the good, the bad and the ugly.. Should be an avatar.. nice work.. trash it..
any tips on your approach or suggestions would be appreciated. Hello SPF Photography -
I see that you have been on MM for a good while - but I don't see very many model credits, and your profile is a bit sparse in information -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31144017
pretty nicely lit - I think model mayhem is squashing your tones a bit here compared to the original - I've had that happen to some of my shots as well - two issues: a bit better model direction with respect to use of hands, and a better choice of perspective - when shooting standing models it is desirable to shoot from a level between their navel and knees to give them length - even lower in some cases depending on the pose - when shooting seated models, a low position makes their lower half look large in relation to the rest of their body - I often shoot sitting shots from an elevated position to correct this....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#30836957
the skin tones look a bit orange here - sometimes it is really hard to get them right out of the camera - I do not advise shooting on auto white balance - you may have shoot in flash balance here and still gotten the somewhat muddied orange tones -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/20329746
nice figure pose - the look, even the feet being nicely pointed - but the curled left with foreshortened fingers is not quite up to par - not a critique of the model but rather of paying attention to the details and good model direction as a photographer - and yes - you could find some of this in my port as well lol
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/20329411
this does not work for me because detail is not present - the structure of the body, a sense of texture, of dimension - either over exposure, too much contrast, or post work....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/16901596
the light fall off in the frame is kind of abrupt creating more than "dirty legs' as is sometime seen but rather disappearing lower legs - now I am viewing this on a calibrated monitor - but perhaps MM squashed your tonal range - I've had that happen to some of my shots on occasion.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#15561002
more orange, muddled skin tones - not a fan of elbows pointed toward the camera - it creates an unpleasant distortion of the shape of the arm - better model direction suggested...
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/13091539
I really like this - the pose, the perspective, the use of diagonal lines in the floor... would like it better if I could see more of the structure of her body - it is good as it is - very nice - but would have been better with light controlled better - if window light, a flag blocking the light above the elevation of her laying on the floor, if flash or strobe, more tightly controlled and angled at least 60* off camera axis, with the use of a reflector for fill if needed. Nonetheless one of my favs in your port.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#15561478
the use of gels is cool - you still have some muddled skin tones going though
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/13576230
the sunlight coming from her back is just too hot here - the only way to make this shot work well would have been (preferred) the use of a reflector on the off side and a lower ev, or off camera flash or strobe for fill with a lower ev.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 39#9896533
another of my favs in your port - lovely pose mood and style and composition, like the subdued light and rich tone - but there is still some unattractive skin tone - perhaps an overall white balance issue - and the shot may well have worked better from a higher perspective
in sum
probably priority one is to solve the white balance / skin tone issue
some ev choices or light quality / direction choices are not working optimally
think more about slicing and dicing light - less is more, directionality is good, off camera axis is better in most cases
a smidge better model direction with respect to elegant hand positions
play around with perspective more - do not put the camera up to your eye right away - move around and see what different viewpoints accomplish - when you do frame the shot, look at the entire frame - perhaps take several images of the same pose from different perspectives - I found your sitting subjects to be shot from too low an angle to be ideal even though one of them is a favourite in your portfolio
Model
Samantha Williamson
Posts: 2045
Altoona, Florida, US
Fotografica Gregor wrote:
Hello Elaine Ford - well - you have long been on my "wish list" of models I would love to work with - and I'm not sure how qualified I am to critique your work - but I will offer my opinions for what they are worth -
you have a very professional profile - one that is geared toward professional clients and photographers - not as "chatty" as many here.... but you are of course targeting your profile to a specific audience.... I'd be curious about how much of a role model mayhemreally plays in your marketing - something I've always wondered about.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15494526
like the look, the expression, the lines - but am put off a tiny bit by the shape of the right hand - I realize what you are doing with it but would have preferred an elegant hand position against your side somewhere (hand more nearly straight but not stiff, fingers spread a bit, "pretend" touching so as not to deform hair skin or couture). The rest of the flow is so elegant that the current hand position is a bit jarring
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25183596
I am reading the expression as somewhat neutral here - it is a very lovely look - and your eyes are really *open* which I find can be a challenge for models having beauty headshots done. Despite how I am reading the mood, I am a fan of really elegant posture - the shoulder positions are a bit neutral and un- engaged here - I would have preferred a more dynamic posture..... keep in mind that I both practice and teach Yoga so I really emphasize elegant posture in my own work.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#31152384
top frame - the right hand position - if the hand were employed a bit more elegantly I would have liked it better - the curled fingers here really stand out against the otherwise sweeping and elegant lines of the pose and look
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#17946316
even though you will see them in my own portfolio lol - I am not a fan of "disappearing limbs" that are bisected below the first joint - the left hand reaching toward the camera creates a sort of perspective distortion that causes
the arm and hand to look somewhat foreshortened - I am a believer in keeping hand and arms at 45 degrees or more (preferably 60 degrees or more) away from the lens axis as this creates a more elegant line (my opinion)
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#19574514
top frame - everything about this is lovely and elegant and it is a perfect demonstration of what I am talking about in reference to "elegant hands"
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#27978227
absolutely smashing
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#29667062
a good test case - re-imagine this pose with your right arm elbow not pointing so much at the camera but drawn out to your side at 60 degrees or more away from the camera perspective, your arm positioned so that the right hand does not disappear behind your head but is elegantly employed on the side or top of your hair...... see if you would like this better - and if not - ignore my critique on this point
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#28783768
a good demonstration of my point about posture - the pose is very simple - clean lines - it's the posture that makes it dynamic - I believe that really good spinal and shoulder alignment and activation of core muscles makes *every* pose more dynamic - even headshots where only the shoulders or upper shoulder lower neck area will be seen.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#29935595
lovely and elegant - one of my faves in your port
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#28353331
beautiful - sweeping - elegant
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#15494265
even though you see it *everywhere* I am not a fan of elbows pointed anywhere near the camera - this breaks up an otherwise lovely flow with a hard inelegant shape or edge - I also feel this way about bent knees pointed at the camera in most cases....
in sum
your work is very beautiful - very elegant. Else you would not be on my "bucket list" lol. The points I have raised are all very minor in the great scheme of things. I would ask that you consider them, play with them, and see if any of these points will benefit you.
I love your expressiveness - which transcends your facial expressions and embraces the entire way you pose
you do wonderful things with you eyes - your points of focus - your expressions are always engaged and believable
You have a very large portfolio (who am I to talk lol) - you are probably at the point where it would make sense to streamline it a bit
thank you for affording me another opportunity to enjoy your work Thanks so much for your time and great critique I love yoga. My instructor taught Ashtanga but has left the country now so I need to fine something new!
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Elaine Ford wrote:
Thanks so much for your time and great critique I love yoga. My instructor taught Ashtanga but has left the country now so I need to fine something new! Thank you - it was a great pleasure -
I've practiced and taught Kundalini and Kripalu for some time - added Bikram in the last few years..... I love Bikram but cannot recommend it for anyone who is not in sound cardiovascular condition and cleared for it by a physician.....
I accumulated quite a number of service related injuries and by my late 40s was really feeling the effects - Yoga definitely rejuvenated me - I am a big believer - and I do think that my reaction to model posing is based to some degree in this practice......
Wishing you all the best
Gregor
Model
Demetra D
Posts: 1133
New York, New York, US
Fotografica Gregor wrote:
It is my pleasure - I very much enjoyed your portfolio - and from a purely selfish perspective, I too learn from seeing others work and from doing the serious thinking necessary to provide what I hope is a quality critique -
love to work with you someday
Cheers Thank you Your work is great, you know!
Photographer
Burning Paper Hearts
Posts: 765
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Fotografica Gregor wrote:
Hello Square Pixel LLC -
You have an informative and interesting profile - and I can say that right off the bat I am not going to be able to give you as good a critique as I might like - I am pretty much a technician and not much of an artist - and your work is very artistic and some of it may be over my head...
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30897700
this is very cool - it would have been more pleasing to my admittedly artistically challenged eye if it were cropped so that the margin was fairly close to the model on the viewer's right, creating a balance of negative space on the left....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30897697
I might have suggested a better right hand position for your model - and I would have preferred a composition again that placed her more in the right of the frame with this shot - in neither of these cases am I talking "rule of thirds" - rather about use of negative space to create some dynamic tension
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30513386
love the compositional juxtaposition of the tree in the upper left third and the model in the lower right third, which sets up a pleasing juxtaposition in texture and form.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30236579
similar to my comment above but placing the tree in the right of centre and the model in left of centre - beautiful
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#28109541
I have liked your processing so far - not so much in this shot - unless you were going for a tintype sort of look perhaps - would have preferred the model in the left third of the frame and less headroom
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#26647988
here is a case where symmetry of composition works very well
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30513400
I like how her upper body position echoes the form of the plants bending in the wind
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#28542046
love the depth to this - the way that the model on the right echoes the position of the cliff in the right background while the centre and left models anti-echo the background
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#29131692
my favourite - beautiful juxtaposition in form and texture with complimentary tone and composition
I admit that I am not at my best critiquing a photographer or model who is not going for editorial or commercial standards. I do like your work very much and am glad for the opportunity to have a flick through -
you do wonderful things with compositional, textural and tonal juxtaposition. I like your editing technique for the most part.
I have a couple of niggles with composition as noted
I find that a lot of what you present here is too similar for a large portfolio (to my taste).
smashing work - thank you for sharing Thank you so much That was some great critiquing. You definitely pointed out some things I will be more cognizant of.
Photographer
SPF Photography
Posts: 14
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
thanks gregor..
I will work on the tips you suggested.
shawn.
Photographer
John M Hoyt
Posts: 347
Greenville, South Carolina, US
I would like your input, though I admit I am scared. Someone please hold me.
Photographer
Ania Volovique
Posts: 19
San Diego, California, US
Would love some critique and feedback.
Photographer
RobertOPhoto
Posts: 59
Royal Oak, Michigan, US
Very impressed with your critique's and would love to have you critique my portfolio
Photographer
Darin B
Posts: 998
San Diego, California, US
Fotografica Gregor wrote:
here is a conundrum - I am an artistically challenged technician - and you are an artist. I'm admittedly not 'getting' a little bit of what you do or why you do it - but I admire your work....
My goal in critique is to be helpful - and I'm not seeing anything in your work that needs my help really lol - it was a pleasure spending time with your portfolio though and I think you for throwing your hat in the ring.... Thank You! And sorry for taking so long to reply. Very rude of me after you were kind enough to thoroughly review my stuff.
I'd like to add that I don't think of myself as much of an artist and don't get a lot of what I do either. I just mess around and see what sticks. With the exception of performance/event stuff, I get nervous before every shoot that I won't produce anything good. I've got a decent technical skill set that really helps when I get to work with people much more creative than myself. That's where I get lucky. I think if you got some crazy dancers or any athletic/creative combo, one light, and get out of a studio setting, you would make up some cool stuff together. It's about play and experimentation. Being safe doesn't produce anything exceptional.
I try to drill that into my head daily.
Thank you again!
Darin
Edit: This is the crap I do to myself at 3am. heh.
![https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/215743_10152385684865307_1575753189_n.jpg]()
Photographer
Jorge Kreimer
Posts: 3716
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
Photographer
Fwee Photography
Posts: 37
New York, New York, US
I would love it if you would do me.
Model
JWest
Posts: 1000
Asheville, North Carolina, US
Fwee Photography wrote:
I would love it if you would do me. Ok, I had to do the teenager giggle to your sentence.
Model
JWest
Posts: 1000
Asheville, North Carolina, US
I'd like to see your opinion.
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Jojo West wrote:
Ok, I had to do the teenager giggle to your sentence. Yes, and though I am very LGBT friendly, I am unabashedly *not* wired that way lol
I will start catching up with everyone later tonight and should make good progress through the weekend -
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
James Ogilvie wrote:
I'd like one please..thanks! Hello James Ogilvie -
I am always honored with an accomplished photographer or model throws their hat in the ring in my critique thread - I have long been an admirer of your avatar and your work -
I see from your profile and your work that you are a veteran - my critique will be aimed at that level -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31139765
love this shot - the perspective softness and tones - not a fan of the comp - I realize that this is a tough pose to crop in any more formal or traditional way - just don't like the lower bit of her bottom being shorn off -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 5#28796982
I love slicing and dicing with light so this is especially appealing - looks like daylight as there are warm highlights and blue in the shadows - some would "fix" this but I agree with leaving it "in character"
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30518148
love the warm tones - this is the sort of shot that I love strip boxes for - the reflective bits on her face that look oily stand out - not sure if I like this aspect or not....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28797010
another example of not being a fan of the crop - I "teach" cropping before the first joint of an arm or leg but fully realize that this is a rule meant to be broken, but bisected hands really bug me
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27743377
I really don't see the reason for the foot being bisected and the top of the head cut off - it seems arbitrary and less than optimal - looks like your toning is really being squashed by either MM or reduction in images size... on this and quite a few others as well -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28796964
adore this shot - with a niggle or two - the placement of her left leg creates and angle that sets up a strange perspective and seems to foreshorten the leg - perhaps better model direction here? The leg being really *stretched* out straight would have been more dynamic - I admit up front that I am hard on models in this respect - I want activated muscles, super posture, a great stretch, I want dynamism from my poses - for one thing it is "work" lol and for another I practice and teach yoga.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27247817
I have always adored this shot - there are a couple of issues (being picky) though - to my taste the skin looks like it was surface blurred - I do similar things on occasion but try for a lighter touch - the waist line of the swimsuit bottom creates the impression that she's got loose core muscles here - even though she probably does not - I would probably have taken the liquify brush to it and straightened it..... - also not a fan of the curled fingers - but I am a big believer in elegant hand positions..... on the plus side, it's a smashing pose and look, and your strip light (?) below the surface combined with your snoot (?) on the background create a lovely depth and interest.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15883961
to my eye, this shot is instantly stronger if re-cropped so that the model is about on the right 1/3rd line of the composition
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/18005026
I love a great over the shoulder look - she's doing a nice job of pulling her shoulder forward and up and tucking her chin - but the perspective is such that her shoulder looks awfully big - or her head small - at least vis a vis what the human eye "wants" to see - this is a problem I sometimes have as well - these days I use a ladder so that if needed I can get a slightly elevated perspective, and I shoot these from at least 135 and often 155 180 or 200mm .... another "solution" if you find it to be a problem is to crop it tighter to reduce the "mass" of the shoulder in the frame.....
I could go on and on about your work -
in sum-
I generally very much like the perspectives you choose, the toning choices you make, your use of light, and your model selections.
I would argue for a little better model direction with respect to posture, core muscles, "stretch" and hands on occasion
Not a fan of some of the crops or compositional placement of vertical subjects - I really do think that a central placement of a vertical (full or 3/4 length) subject just gives away too much dynamic tension potential
not a fan of bisecting hands and feet in crop
I would suggest working with that over the shoulder look - playing with the perspective and angle of view a bit
Model
Kayla Anne Thomas
Posts: 116
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I need some serious critique. If I may ask, do you have an opinion of what kind of modelling I would fit best into? I am too all over the place with all my creative work. I always want to do it all. Thank you!
Model
Kelsey Langford
Posts: 32
Sacramento, California, US
Hi! I'm a teen model. I'm trying to learn as much as I can and would really appreciate your critique of my work so far.
Thank you!
Photographer
James Andrew Imagery
Posts: 6713
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Fotografica Gregor wrote:
Hello James Ogilvie -
I am always honored with an accomplished photographer or llama throws their hat in the ring in my critique thread - I have long been an admirer of your avatar and your work -
I see from your profile and your work that you are a veteran - my critique will be aimed at that level -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31139765
love this shot - the perspective softness and tones - not a fan of the comp - I realize that this is a tough pose to crop in any more formal or traditional way - just don't like the lower bit of her bottom being shorn off -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 5#28796982
I love slicing and dicing with light so this is especially appealing - looks like daylight as there are warm highlights and blue in the shadows - some would "fix" this but I agree with leaving it "in character"
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30518148
love the warm tones - this is the sort of shot that I love strip boxes for - the reflective bits on her face that look oily stand out - not sure if I like this aspect or not....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28797010
another example of not being a fan of the crop - I "teach" cropping before the first joint of an arm or leg but fully realize that this is a rule meant to be broken, but bisected hands really bug me
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27743377
I really don't see the reason for the foot being bisected and the top of the head cut off - it seems arbitrary and less than optimal - looks like your toning is really being squashed by either MM or reduction in images size... on this and quite a few others as well -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28796964
adore this shot - with a niggle or two - the placement of her left leg creates and angle that sets up a strange perspective and seems to foreshorten the leg - perhaps better llama direction here? The leg being really *stretched* out straight would have been more dynamic - I admit up front that I am hard on llamas in this respect - I want activated muscles, super posture, a great stretch, I want dynamism from my poses - for one thing it is "work" lol and for another I practice and teach yoga.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27247817
I have always adored this shot - there are a couple of issues (being picky) though - to my taste the skin looks like it was surface blurred - I do similar things on occasion but try for a lighter touch - the waist line of the swimsuit bottom creates the impression that she's got loose core muscles here - even though she probably does not - I would probably have taken the liquify brush to it and straightened it..... - also not a fan of the curled fingers - but I am a big believer in elegant hand positions..... on the plus side, it's a smashing pose and look, and your strip light (?) below the surface combined with your snoot (?) on the background create a lovely depth and interest.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15883961
to my eye, this shot is instantly stronger if re-cropped so that the llama is about on the right 1/3rd line of the composition
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/18005026
I love a great over the shoulder look - she's doing a nice job of pulling her shoulder forward and up and tucking her chin - but the perspective is such that her shoulder looks awfully big - or her head small - at least vis a vis what the human eye "wants" to see - this is a problem I sometimes have as well - these days I use a ladder so that if needed I can get a slightly elevated perspective, and I shoot these from at least 135 and often 155 180 or 200mm .... another "solution" if you find it to be a problem is to crop it tighter to reduce the "mass" of the shoulder in the frame.....
I could go on and on about your work -
in sum-
I generally very much like the perspectives you choose, the toning choices you make, your use of light, and your llama selections.
I would argue for a little better llama direction with respect to posture, core muscles, "stretch" and hands on occasion
Not a fan of some of the crops or compositional placement of vertical subjects - I really do think that a central placement of a vertical (full or 3/4 length) subject just gives away too much dynamic tension potential
not a fan of bisecting hands and feet in crop
I would suggest working with that over the shoulder look - playing with the perspective and angle of view a bit Thanks very much for the feedback. I'll definitely have a closer look at what you've observed here when I'm more awake - it's bedtime right now.
But before I forget to mention it, the shot that you refer to 'slicing and dicing' light only actually has a single light source. It's a focusable spot with masks inserted to create the light shape. The different colours you're seeing in the light itself is a result of CA of the lenses that the light passes through. The light will take on a very blue cast around the edges as a result.
The really huge spots like the profoto beast can handle this a little better because the lenses are so large and you can drop more powerful strobe heads into them than you can with mine. Thus you have more latitude to mask off the lens aberration. But I actually like the effect sometimes, so I let it ride.
Model
Charlotte White
Posts: 8
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Been modelling for a while and I've had stuff published BUT this is the first time I've had a MM profile. Interested to hear what you think, what's missing, which shots aren't so great etc. Hope your day is going well!
Photographer
Square Jaw Photography
Posts: 470
Joshua Tree, California, US
Just began studio type photography. Would love to know what you think. Good? Bad? Ugly?
Photographer
Sarah Page Photography
Posts: 4
Albany, Oregon, US
I would love your insight! Please note some are film, some digital, etc
Photographer
Stuart Henderson
Posts: 16
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Id really like to get your opinion on what ive done so far.
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Charlie Markham wrote:
I would like to hear your thoughts! Hello Charlie Markham -
If you want opportunities - you really need to supply the missing data in your profile - weight sleave and inseam. Be sure that all of your measurements are professionally done - not taken form the size of clothing you wear....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31194554
concentrate on your hands - they play a huge role in selling the pose, the mood - hands need to be elegantly employed - curled fingers detract as a rule, unless the hand is doing something specific.
range of expression is important - I am seeing only the most minor variation in facial expression and only a couple of minor variations - work on using your eyes, your expressions, to tell a story
your posing at this stage of the game is pretty stiff - your posture is nice and you have a certain elegance about you, but you need to work on loosening up and getting out of everything being straight lines
hope this helps
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Robert J Photography wrote:
Fire away !! Hi Robert J Photography -
it's always nice to see someone who is in it for the enjoyment of it, does not take it too seriously, but on the other hand, cares about the quality of their work....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31245063
lovely expression from your model - the perspective and crop are giving us a huge area of square shoulder in the frame that is not that attractive - I would suggest thinking about cropping this down to de-emphasize the shoulder
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 3#28794126
this shot has a nice glow - the skin looks blurred a bit though
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 3#31194991
tones are a bit muddled, contrast ratio is not really pleasing, probably over enthusiastic post work - less is more....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 3#31030283
very lovely, but to my aging eyes, it appears her shoulder is in focus and her face and hair are falling outside of the zone of sharp focus, unless this is an artifact of your post work
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 3#29693378
I like shots that have this sort of shadowing - but models often do not - and if you are shooting for trade you have to take this into account a bit..... the use of a reflector, even something improvised, or fill flash, would soften this contrast ratio a bit.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 3#30383425
orange skin tone - I've seen a couple of those along the way so far - also contrast ratio is off - can't say if it's the processing (though I suspect it is) or over exposure - or both
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/26508908
another over the shoulder look suffering from a sense that her shoulder is huge compared to her face - this can be helped in crop - but really nice over the shoulder looks require a bit of finesse in technique - a slightly elevated point of view, good model direction and a focal length of 135-200 mm (full frame / 35mm ) help. Also her skin is way over-edited
in sum
your work would improve a lot if you did not over-process your images - shoot and edit for much softer contrast ratios
a lot of flat lighting in your port - the farther off camera axis your lighting, the more depth and detail - but you have to fill or soften shadows
work a bit more with perspective - when a model strikes a look or pose you want, tell her to hold it, and move around - look at the scene without the camera in front of your face, decide on good points of view, and shoot it in several perspectives for later comparison.....
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
My name is Frank wrote:
Lemme feel what you feel! Hello My name is Frank -
I see that you rate yourself very expedience and have been on model mayhem for four years and change....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31057422
good idea - but the tones are muddled and the ev on your rim light is too high... the crop showing just a smidge of her neck seems off -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#31057447
nice idea - but the tones and contrast are way off - I like the shadow formed on her back...
overall I'm not feeling your exposure choices, contrast ratios, tones, skin tones, or compositions in many cases -
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
John M Hoyt wrote:
I would like your input, though I admit I am scared. Someone please hold me. Hi John M Hoyt -
don't be scared I don't bite strangers.... and the worst that can happen is that you might actually learn something useful from my opinion others have helped me along the way - often not very "nicely" but I've benefited from it - and still do.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#31103653
this is kinda nice - actually catalog quality work or very close to it - nice tones and contrast. Might be a smidge over saturated an I don't quite believe the white balance and skin tones
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#31071666
very nice perspective - the most boring thing you can do is shoot a model against a surface straight on - nice leading and receding lines, nice textures. I like this shot but for one thing - her skin is smoothed beyond belief
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#31048099
interesting concept - the post work is not doing it for me though
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#30650177
if this is a portrait for someone I'm not getting the gelled light - it is an appropriate use of short lighting though
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30335652
this is adorable - can't believe her skin is quite that pink - at least she's not blurred (skin) - decent depth of field control but even shallower DOF would have been nice
I would suggest working on white balance, refining your exposure choices, using depth of field a bit better, not over processing skin. Don't let the camera make your white balance and exposure choices for you....
Model
Schok Pop
Posts: 2
Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Fotografica Gregor wrote:
Hello Schokp0p
your profile is an interesting read - your profile and portfolio tell me that you are satisfied being an ALT model at this point -
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30337662
this is interesting - you could have done so much more with that left hand to contribute to the mood - eyes first, then hands, are your most important story telling tools as a model... see my discussion throughout this thread on elegant hands......
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#29978022
hands.... not contributing - detracting because they are partially hidden.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#21920818
really not the best idea to point elbows at the camera - in this sort of shot, rotate at the waist a bit to face the camera more if the photographer will let you
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#27457354
among your injuries must be a missing left arm...... if you still possessed it, the limb could have been put to better use
in sum
you do great things with your eyes - mostly - sometimes I don't quite think the focus is sharp - make sure if looking at the camera that you look *through* the camera not at the lens - if you look above or to the side of photographer - look *closely* beside or above and focus on something
your posing really tells stories along with your styling - like
*except* for your use of hands and arms which could add a great deal if used well
very interesting portfolio I'm late but I still wanted to say thank you!
I'll try to keep my hands in mind next time I have a photoshoot and focus more with my eyes It's always nice to improve.
Photographer
El Artista
Posts: 4
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hi, I'd like some honest feedback. I'm a beginning photographer. Thanks.
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
Ania Volovique wrote:
Would love some critique and feedback. Hello Ania Volovique
I see that your MM portfolio has been up for six months and that you consider yourself to have some experience. I like your emphasis on the relational aspect of photography - and your desire to portray emotion - this is a weak point for many, and can be decisive.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31206608
nice location and composition but for the wires mucking it up a bit - but the light here is very flat and as a result the image is really uninteresting
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 8#31131645
interesting composition and edit - I don't like the blank space to the llama's left, which could be the corner of a building or whatever - with the offset composition, the "empty" space to her right is detracting
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 8#31206535
nice concept - would be more effective more tightly cropped
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 8#29926018
not a fan of vertical subjects isolated in mid frame - an offset composition is much more dynamic and interesting unless the entire frame is symmetrical
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 8#31206631
I'm asking myself why so much "footroom" or space below the llama in this composition - a lot less would serve to give context and depth
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 8#29038541
nice perspective - loose composition - the green space to our left of your llama is not really contributing
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 8#29038469
this is lovely but I think a vertical composition would have suited better
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28873286
this perspective makes her hand look huge compared to her head
In sum
I see your work as that of someone trying to be artistic. Nothing wrong with that - and I like your vision - but I would highly recommend to everyone wanting to take this approach to learn the technical side of photography.
I would have liked to see some work that demonstrated proper exposures, white balances, toning, skin tones, and DOF control. I can tell that more concentration on the basics of perspective and composition would be in order. These are rules made to be broken of course - but better to learn them intimately first.
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
RobertOPhoto wrote:
Very impressed with your critique's and would love to have you critique my portfolio Hello RoberOPhoto
I see that you are fairly new to model mayhem. You rate yourself as "experienced" but apparently in sports and concert photography. This does not necessarily translate well into shooting genres with models....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31196571
fairly nice but the composition does not work - either crop it so that her face is closer to the left side of the frame, or shoot it in a vertical composition
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#31196520
this is pretty - but it looks to me like her lower lip is in focus, but here eyes are not - generally you want your focus point to be the inner corner of the nearest eye to the lens..... in any event, eyes not sharp is always a detraction
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#31189126
when working with models, learning about posing and how to direct them is important. An elbow pointed toward the camera like this never works - it creates a perspective that distorts the arm and a hard line that detracts from the overall flow of the image
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#31187889
best in port - but - the floral bit on the right hand side detracts, as does having a vertical subject isolated in mid frame. This pose offered a number of different perspectives that would have been better. When a model hits a pose you like as her to hold it, and move around. Shoot it from a few different perspectives.....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#31138531
the crop is unflattering as is the skin edit and muddy tones
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#31021832
you always need to asses the face of a model you are working with. In this case she has fairly deep set eyes, and the angle and quality of light are producing too much shadowing around the eyes. The light is pretty harsh and should have been scrimmed, or she should have been placed differently relative to the sun. When the sun is harsh, or in mid day angles, look for open shade, or place the sun mostly behind the model and fill....
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30963696
this perspective makes her look absurdly out of proportion - with a standing model be very careful of perspective especially when not (properly) shooting her from a level between the navel and the knees.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30963656
basically pretty - but flat light and apparently skin blur
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30822112
Like
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30784390
better model direction: have her snuggle up to the arm of the couch and use her right arm differently. This composition with her head to the middle of the frame and the stretched out arm is not working well
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30784383
kind of like - but not the skin tones and white balance
in sum
your newer work shows better white balance exposure and skin tones than that farther down your port. Nice colour, perhaps over saturated in the view of many but I kind of like that as well.
Better model direction - it takes time and study to learn what posing really works and it takes people skills and confidence to direct models successfully - it is a make or break for photographers
better perspective and composition - golden mean / golden ratio compositions and experimentation with perspective is in order.
Photographer
RobertOPhoto
Posts: 59
Royal Oak, Michigan, US
Thank you for taking the time to review and critique my portfolio. Not only did I learn from your analysis, but I am also learning from all of your other reviews as well. It is very generous of you to take the time to do these reviews.
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