Miroslava Svoboda wrote:
I am Polish/Ukrainian


I am slowly working on that. I'd like to focus on beauty, whether avante garde or natural is ok with me, and maybe jewelry. Basically keep it on my face. Thank you for your time and critique. Now I got the flu.

Me too, and I am totally blaming Bek !!!

Bek Ruszin wrote:

No.  Just no.  I'm grumpy.  Do you really think I'm going to go to your website and look at every image in every category you have there?  Maybe if I was a client looking to hire you or if you were paying me.  But neither of those are happening, so my lazy ass in only going to look at your MM portfolio.

Personally, your black and whites are a little too contrasty for my taste, but that's me.  Some people like it, I think it's a bit overboard. 

You have 3 similar images in your top row.  There's no reason for that.  You need to whittle that down to one.

This one is the winner:

Lovely, soft color.  LOVE the way the curve of the leaf flows into her face and then up and around blending into her hair...that's marvelous.

I'd like to see you do more like that...it's quite the opposite of your harder, contrasty black and whites.

thank you for your feedback, I actually took that photo out of my book, maybe I should put that back in....

Amelia Rouge wrote:

I meant to ask about my over all portfolio

Nope...OP didn't state preference.  I'm being both a stickler and a bitch.

Murad  rm Photography wrote:
Overall portfolio please.

Hope you are feeling better

I'm feeling better health wise, but much grumpier than I was when I originally started this.  In fact, grumpy has been upgraded to outright bitchy.

Anyway...

Look, no offense, but when I look at the first couple of rows of your portfolio it reads "make up artist".  They're beautiful shots, really, and it seems like you're mostly interested in beauty (which is fine), but I'm just saying that it suggests make up artist rather than photographer.

I happen to have all my heashots grouped in the beginning of my portfolio as well, but I think it's the lack of emphasis on hair and focus on face in YOUR portfolio that makes me think MUA.  Maybe shidt things around a bit.

I see absolutely ZERO top-to-toe shots in your port.  Get those in.

Lela Jesse wrote:
Overall portfolio please! Thank you!

You've got the oozing-lust, sex-kitten vibe down.  Now let me see you turn it off.  Let me see something that shows your strength, your vulnerability, your solemness...without being sexy.  That's going to be your biggest challenge.

Foto Priganica wrote:
Hello, feeling any better now .... which photo would you dump out of my port and why ? ... thanks

It would really be easier to tell you what image to keep.

Dude, chill the fuck out with the HDR already.

That said.  Throw this in the crapper:

Not a half bad shot, but does it belong on MM?  Nope.

101Clicks wrote:
Overall please

I really don't understand why your portfolio doesn't have more images.  You're obviously skilled.

Let me start out with this...I'd dump these:



Why?  Because your profile is that of a photographer.  I understand you retouch as well and I think you do a damn fine job, but I suggest that, if you'd like to highlight your retouching skills, you do so with a seperate retouching profile.

I'd also ditch this:

My personal opinion is that your headshot of this llama is better.

You're another one with absolutely no top to toe images.  In fact, you have only one 3/4 image.  Expand on that.

Bek Ruszin wrote:

You've got the oozing-lust, sex-kitten vibe down.  Now let me see you turn it off.  Let me see something that shows your strength, your vulnerability, your solemness...without being sexy.  That's going to be your biggest challenge.

Hmm, Actually, this is really helpful. I never really saw myself as attempting to be sexy, so now I really am going to challenge myself not to be!Thank you for your grumpy critique, and hopefully, whatever is making you grumpy will get better soon.

ksn modeling wrote:
Hmm why not. Have at it with my whole portfolio, I love advice and criticism!

Let's start with your avatar:

You know what it says to me?  It says, "Hello, now fuck off.  I am un-friendly and un-approachable.  I cannot emote."  Do us all a favor and get rid of that shit and pick a better avatar.

This is even more horrible:

You're a white, blobby ball with a head.  That picture does nothing for you and, in no way, is flattering to you.

I understand this is to show what you look like without makeup an believe me, that's appreciated, but your expression...this is where the phrase "deer in headlights" comes from:

You are allowed to smile, you know?

I can barely even find you in this shit:

Dump!

You have nothing that I find especially attractive or eye-catching.  I highly recommend you work with some photographers to get some decent beauty shots.  You honestly need something to highlight your face in a positive manner.

Leone P wrote:
As a newbie, I know my portfolio is pretty sucky so can I habe Bio please.

You're bio is just too wordy for the message it communicates.  You're basically telling me you're a tattooed, pierced girl aiming toward publication.  Sadly, it's taken you no less than 5 paragraphs to say this.  Fucking delete everything and say "I'm a tattooed, pierced girl aiming toward publication.  My look changes often, so contact me for a photo of m current look."  After that you can list where your tats are and then what you're interested in shooting.  But please, for fuck's sake, do not underline that shit.  Follow an simple, basic outline and you'll be fine.

Bek Ruszin wrote:

You're bio is just too wordy for the message it communicates.  You're basically telling me you're a tattooed, pierced girl aiming toward publication.  Sadly, it's taken you no less than 5 paragraphs to say this.  Fucking delete everything and say "I'm a tattooed, pierced girl aiming toward publication.  My look changes often, so contact me for a photo of m current look."  After that you can list where your tats are and then what you're interested in shooting.  But please, for fuck's sake, do not underline that shit.  Follow an simple, basic outline and you'll be fine.

Thankyou for your critique. I shall change my bio tonight.

Leone P.

Marin Photography wrote:
Overall port please...(squinting)....

You do what the name of this website is, right?  In case you don't, let me remind you.  Model Mayhem.  MODEL Mayhem.  Take those damn sunset and airplane shots off your profile.  That's just irksome.  That's the equivalent of me going to a dating site to sell spaghetti.  You're here to work with PEOPLE! 

Other than that, your bio is ok.  But that quote you have down there?  Yeah, if you quote someone, you might what to put the quotation in QUOTATION MARKS.  I started reading it and initially thought you switched to third person or something.

Do you realize what a pain in the ass it is to view your images?  All that shit should be laid out right in front of me the minute I click your portfolio.  You can keep shit in albums, but please change your default view.

Please step away from the Photoshop!

Why the hell would you do that?  Is it the worst photoshopping I've seen?  No, not at all.  Does that mean you should have done this?  No, not at all.  Seriously, it looks fake as hell.  Don't do that shit, please.

What the hell did you do to this poor girls skin?

Knock that shit off too.  It, also, looks fake. 

You've got some serious lighting issues.  You really need to work on that.  This is just terrible:

Her upper half is lit too harshly and you've neglected to properly light her lower half resulting in funky shadowing on her thighs.  Plus you thought it was a good idea to cut her out and stick her on a green background.  Well, guess what?  It wasn't a good idea.  Yuck.

I think you have a knack for nudes, but again, your lighting leaves a lot to be desired.  Work on that lighting - that alone will bring your port up.

xMissLaurenElizabethx wrote:
Critique my biography - please?

A bit too superfluous for what you're trying to communicate.  I'll try to break this down simply:

1.  I don't really care where you were born and raised.  This is not a Miss America contest.  All I care about is your CURRENT location.

2.  You're sending out mixed messages.  Don't tell us it's your goal of being in Playboy only to, in the very last paragraph, go on to say that you're not doing nudes at this time.  Take the playboy shit out, take that last paragraph out.  There's really no reason to tell us that you'll contact a photographer if you're interested in modeling nude.  We'll figure that out when you contact us.  If anything, just replace that last paragraph with "Sorry, not interested in nudes." 

3. Third paragraph is good enough that you don't need the second paragraph.

Oh, and that avatar...it's not working.  You need something a little more eye-catching.

Francisco Castro wrote:
I'll take my chances with a whole portfolio critique.

No, because you couldn't read and posted this after I had originally closed the thread.

Autumn Rose Brightly wrote:
Overall please Hope you're feeling much better btw

Your bio leaves a little to be desired.  Tell me something about your general availability or what you're currently interested in shooting.

You have three images like this in your portfolio (not counting the head and shoulders shot which brings it to four):

You need to narrow that down to one.

Right now your portfolio is a bit messy.  I don't know what you're aiming for.  You've also got an over abundance of headshots.  You need to get more images where you are working your entire body as oppossed to the upper half of you. 

Also, watch doing that whole "hand in the hair" routine:

And don't point your pits toward us.

Paige Morgan wrote:
Go full on grumpy cat all over my overall port. I'll put on my big girl(with a big butt) knickers for preparedness sake.

Goddamnit, Paige!  I think it's already been established that it pains me to criticize people I know on a personal level, people whose work I admire and people I just generally like (and happen to be booty twins with), but I know you can handle it, so let me try to give you the best ass-kicking I can.

Your profile is clear and covers all the necessary grounds.  No BS or filler.  Bonus points for mentioing that your hair changes often and having a current, unretouched image posted.  If I could change one thing, it'd be your upcoming travel information at the top.  Personally, I'd like to see a little more visual seperation.  Throw that shit in a box.

What the fuck is this, Paige?

I've got so many issues with that image it isn't even funny.  First, I've seen that slick eyeshadow look pulled off before.  I don't know if it's because of the photographer or because of the makeup artist, but it is NOT working here.  All I can think of is that you have vaseline smeared on your eyes.  There's some higlighting that makes your left eye look really wonky.  Second, if that wet-look was what was intended, this image should have focused on that by coming in close and being more about your face.  Third, the lighting leaves something to be desired - it's very flat.  Just get rid of that...you have much better and you know it.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this one:

You've got a full-body "A Clockwork Orange" look going on next to it.  Still, this one shows something different; it highlights your face, it's a bit quirkier - I get it.  I think it's that bruise that's throwing me.  I think Id have preferred to see a more traditional take on the makeup (think Alex's heavily lashed eye or Georgie's eyeshadow).

You've got this cool thing going on where you can pull off tough and feminine simultaneously:

So poised, so strong, so confident, so beautiful and yet ready to beat the shit of of someone in a heartbeat!

I just have a hard time wondering why someone with your amazing cheek bones, full lips and intense eyes doesn't have more edgey beauty shots.  I mean, don't get me wrong, you have great features that translate well with little makeup, but gah!  What I could do with you over the course of a day (or two, or three) with a creative MUA!

Emjay  Photography wrote:
I have never ever done one of these, but hey I know im making an improvement so ill give it a shot

overall portfolio pretty please..

that is if you are still doing them... And i Defienetly hope you are much better by now

Who says you've improved?  Not me.  I wouldn't have you list yourself at "experienced" with what's in your port. 

This is utter crapola:

How do I loathe thee?  Let me count the ways:  blurred skin, wronkled backdrop, flat lighting, poor composition, terrible crop...shall I go on?  I don't think you really need me to. 

More garbage:

Those eyes are impossibly white.  And the fucking blur - you know, I'm getting to the point where I'd rather see pimples or ruddiness than this awful blur.  And why you, and others, insist on blurring hair is beyond me.

What the donkey balls?  It's bad enough you had one of these, but TWO?!?!  You really want me to stab my fucking eyes out, don't you?  Awful:



This is rarely a good look:

Did she just lay that basketball or is she trying to hide the shit she just took?

I honestly don't even know where you're trying to go with your port.  I'm going to guess glamour and in all honesty, your better shots are of a glamour nature.  Try sticking with that one area and improve and refinine it by working on lighting and composition.  Then come back and I'LL be the judge of whether or not you've improved.

Seth MF wrote:
Overall port please, I've got some experience, but not much and would like to know what could be fixed.

Let me start off by informing you that no one, I repeat absolutely NO ONE gives a flying fuck about what kind of music you like.  You want to know why?  Because is has squat to do with you being a model.  Cut that out of your profile immediately.

Jeebus cripes.  What the fuck are you doing, son?  Look, you don't need to stare right into the camera, but c'mon...your first five images look like you're trying to hide from it! 
Example #1:

Hello?  Little help?  I've got this wall stuck to my face.

Example #2:

No!  Don't look at me!

I don't see anything indicative of you having shot with a serious photographer.  It' like you were hanging out with your pals/girlfriend and handed someone a camera:  "Hey, take some pictures of me while I try to pose."  FAIL!

This is a case where EVERYTHING needs to be fixed. 

It's ok, though - you're just starting out.  Go back to your mirror.  Practice NOT hiding from the camera.  Find a photographer in your area with a shot or two under their belt who's willing to TF because, frankly, what you've got in your portfolio as it stands is junk.

Adam Mohammed wrote:
Hi, I was wondering if you can give me an overall feedback/critique of my portfolio. I would appreciate it if you could do so and thank you very much for your time.

Not bad, but your biggest issue?  Repitition.

Row 1:  All shots of the same guy in a suit.

Row 2 :  All shots of the same girl standing in the water on the beach.

I think you'd best be helped by shooting some more.

This is garbage:

She looks like she's trying really hard not to pass gas and it's causing her quite a bit of discomfort.  Plus you hacked her feet off.  Poorly composed.

AndyD10 wrote:
Ive had my portfolio abused before so maybe you could do my bio?

Your bio is fine.  A little brief, but I prefer that over a bunch of unnecessary bullshit.

Russian Invasion  wrote:
your thoughts?

My thoughts?

Let's see...I think I'm skipping you because you couldn't take the time to fucking read my original post where I quite clearly asked for ONE thing.  Just one.  You posted TWO images.  Not only that, but you posted in this thread previously.

I think you have a knack for nudes, but again, your lighting leaves a lot to be desired.  Work on that lighting - that alone will bring your port up.

Thanks!...Working on that lighting, I just got a few soft boxes. As far as photoshop, yes I know I suck at it!..haha   Still learning. Thanks for the tips and honesty.

MartaBrixton wrote:
My portfolio, please.

Put all those damn videos near the bottom of your bio.  I'm not even going to bother looking at them until I've read a bit about you and it also makes things looks cluttered.  You also state you don't do nudes (with the exception of implied) so you might want to edit your stats and indicate "no" under shoots nudes.  Other than that, your profile is fine.

Your images are decent, for the most part.

You've got two images like this:

I'd get rid of one of them.

Likewise, I'd ditch this:

I think the other, similar shot is superior to this one.

I don't care for this one:

Yeah I get that he was covering your nip with his head, but it's resulted in your breast looking rather misshapen.  The lighting/color also seems a tad off.

This is terribly cheesy:

Bad lighting, bad post work and half of your right foot has been awkwardly chopped off.  You have better than this in your portfolio.  This only helps drag everything around it down.  Throw it away forever.

I'd ditch this one, too:

Look!  Your breasts have sprouted legs!

Good choice in avatar, BTW.  Just wish it didn't have that huge, distracting watermark on it.

I Ference Photography wrote:
Overall portfolio, please!

I personally don't care about your experience in shooting architecture.  That might be fine to put on your website or Flickr page, but this is Model Mayhem.  This is about shooting models, not buildings.  Of course, it's totally acceptable to keep the information regarding shooting nudes in abandoned spaces.

You've got a beautiful selection of those in your portfolio, too.  You've clearly found your niche and your portfolio is not lacking in cohesion in any way.  If there's any one image that I don't care for, it's got to be this:

It's just lacking in the depth and detail of your other images.

Nadine-J wrote:
I am sick and also a member of the "grumpy club" right now. So why not...
Have look at my whole port, please. Thanks.

Right off the bat I'm surprised.  I see your avatar, wonder how tall you are and I'm shocked that you're 5' 1".  You obviously photograph taller than you really are.

As far as your profile, do us a favor - bold your travel info and keep that facebook shit toward the end of your bio.  Like I said earlier, I'm not going off in search of more of you until I've finished reading about you and viewing the images you have posted here.  The rest of your bio is fine...you're not delusional about being a fashion model and you seem relatively approachable.

Your portfolio could use a bit of work, though.  You have some really strong images, but I feel that they're being dragged down by some less-than stellar shots.

Don't care for this:

The graininess and post work just don't do it.

This one makes me sad:

Good makeup, good compostion, good lighting and post work.  The problem?  Your expression.  That furrowed brow is so out of place with this type of shot.  You look to be grunting or staring down angrily at the little dog biting you ankle or something.

These don't make a cohesive group:

Post them sperately or not at all.

Same with these:


Ditch this fucker:

Yeah, maybe it's kinda cute and quirky, but it looks terrible and the images are just way too small.  I found myself squinting.  This does nothing for your portfolio.

Also not a fan of this:

Not only is it not visually pleasing to the eye, but it makes you look short and squat (no pun intended).

Trim that fat from your portfolio.  You'll make it that much stronger.

Ceci L wrote:
Overall port please

Let's do a little work to your profile.

"Measurements on detail profile are real."  Change "real to "accurate".

"But not "horrible" to work with,"  Remove that altogether.

"I do not work for free. I might consider a trade shoot with an outstanding photographer who can contribute something special to my portfolio. Otherwise my rates are very reasonable."  You need to reword this.  By starting off this paragraph the way you have, you've turned me off.  It comes across standoffish.  I'd change the paragraph to something along the lines of:  "Looking to shoot with photographers who can contribute something special to my portfolio.  All others please inquire about my reasonable rates."

I think you need to work on getting some different beauty shots in your portfolio.  What you have in there isn't bad, but it lacks in variety.  There's not much difference in your hairstyle and makeup from what image to the next.

You also need to work on emoting.  You have two looks:  smiling and serious.  That's just not enough.

You also need to shake it up and do a little more with your body.

With little variety when it comes to hair and make up, little in the way of expressions and posing, your portfolio is just boring.  It's a shame because the images are decent...you just need to work on what YOU'RE bringing to the shoot.

Nadine-J wrote:
Thanks for your opinion.

To explain: I combine photos for reasons of space.

Happy grumpy-ing on! ;-)

I don't need an explanation. 

You'll have the room if you dump the crap.