Please take a look at my port and let me know what is Good, Bad, and hopefully nothing ugly!
Still I'll appreciate every comment.
Thanks
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/1503394/viewall

Let me say that you are learning and also shooting beginner models.  I think as the photographer you need to make sure their posing is pleasing to the viewer, most of these are not.

Also, lighting is key and I feel most of these images are poorly lit.  Check the Internet for lighting set ups and practice. I would suggest you use a single strobe with reflectors before you move on to multiple strobes.

Also there seems to be an issue with focus, in many of the images.

Any way keep working on it you will improve with time .

If it were my port I would trim down to just these for now.



https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/40744856







I agree with taking the most flattering angle.
Jen

Even though I see that it is not uncommon, I would not pose dark models on white seamless and hit them with hard, bright light that causes hot spots on their skin. The white seamless washes out their color.

#1 The larger picture is a broken link, but the smaller picture has the model wearing an outfit that complements her and it looks like you got her skin correct.


#2 You've cropped a pretty face awkwardly, the pose is ok but you've cropped so she's almost a faceless torso.
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/1 … 374e3b.jpg

#3 Art poses like this usually are low key (low light) with the light and dark carving patterns on the figure. There's a touch of that here, but what jumps out at me are her shoes and the folds in the backdrop. the pos is not the best with her knees facing the camera. what were you trying to say with this shot?
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/1 … a9c710.jpg

#4 Nice headshot. But, as I said, above the white background and the hard lights are detracting from her beautiful face and skin color.


#5 I find this awkward and a bit weird, sort of like an early sci-fi movie poster "The Attack of the Venusian Women"
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/1 … c1a984.jpg

#6 Omotee has lovely face but it is sort of lost next to her leg in that sea of white. When Levels are adjusted for grey, black and mid-tones she looks like a beautiful art work made of dark, polished wood and she stands out from the white background. The highlights actually work to show off her polish. What cannot be fixed is the grey on the lower part of her extended right leg, The top of the foot pointed at camera is not  a great.position. Her hand under her bottom is awkward.
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/1 … 9278ab.jpg

#7 A saucy pose, elbow to the camera sort of works here. The color of her face seems greyish. Good lipstick and dress color.


#8 Is she an illusion because she's fading to white? Why the crop just under her nose? Her whole face would have made a nicer illusion. Without the caption, what would we  think?
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/1 … c17155.jpg

#9 Awkward, at best, terrible lighting, pose.and shot angle. The blue cast to her skin does not help.
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/1 … 906620.jpg

#10 Natasha is almost lost because of all of the white surrounding her, the white pattern on her dress and the highlights on her face and she's too small in the photo frame.. It's a shame because she has a lot of dignified beauty here. Adjusting the levels so that she is a mahogany goddess makes her pop off the screen.


11. Not a good shot of the model's figure. Practically square to camera, minimizing curves.
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/1 … d927f4.jpg

12. You have faced her square to the camera, making her as wide as possible and her white pants disappear into the background making her lower torso infinitely wide. Purple is not a natural skin color.


13. This poor girl looks exhausted or bored to tears. You've got her arm and hand covering her torso and half of her lovely face. Her skin is a shade of blue.She looks tall with a good model's figure and a lovely face. What other pose could you have tried?


14. "Nigerian Supermodel Biola" We cannot see her face(!!!!!!) and her breast is distorted under the shirt. You've cut off her hand and her feet. Ummm..what were you thinking? Notice the supermodel wears a neutral gray outfit so the colors and exposure can be calibrated easily. Took two clicks to get her skin right.


15. Is her right hand really bigger than her head? Was the p=index finger on her left hand broken? Did she fall off the chair after the shot? You got her skin color right. The color of the dress helped -dark. Actually it's one of your better pictures -lots of energy.


As was said above, you need to practice lighting so that you are not overexposing the subject with light. Learn how to use the camera's histogram as a guide. Posing models properly will make them and your pictures look better. Check magazines and the internet for videos.

All the best and have fun.

You seem to have the single most important talent - your models are relaxed and confident working with you! Now learn your craft.  Read some books and visit some websites on composition and lighting, and/or just look carefully at what's working in other portfolios here, and you'll be amazed at the results.

(And get rid of the watermarks.)

Great advice from all who took the time to post! IMHO of course

g2-new photographics wrote:
You seem to have the single most important talent - your models are relaxed and confident working with you! Now learn your craft.    ...........

This is nothing but a big black blob and two knees.
It certainly doesn't need to be flagged "M".
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/40744877

Flattering poses are important but so is the height and angle of the camera relative to the subject. Having your lens straight and level with the model's belly button is a good place to start for a neutral look. If you raise your position and shoot down the model will appear shorter and less powerful. If you shoot from a low position the model will appear taller and stronger in the image. You can make shorter models appear taller by lowering your camera position.

As others have mentioned, the lighting in your portfolio could use some work.

From what I can tell, you are lighting the model and the background with the same lights.You will get better results when shooting on a white background if you light the model separately. When space is limited, i like to use 2 strip boxes, one on either side of the backdrop and light the model with another 1-2 lights depending on the modifiers being used.

Profoto has a great video showing how to light a darker skinned subject on a white background.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMUmfl_KDuk

Hope this helps,
Noah

If possible try and shoot outside.   I know Lagos can be kinda rough but try it.   Several of your shots are out of focus.   Sometimes tripods are helpful as well.   It can be hard to be creative against a plain white background but try using one light or side lighting.   Using scrims can be fun.   http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/w … fects.html
You might like trying colored gels.   If money is tight find colored glass and place your flash behind it.   Try different angles.   Personally I love African fabrics.   Don't be afraid to use props.   Tribal clothing, etc.   

Here's a link to a great shooter who works with African models in Africa:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D48SGiXWWHY   Big fan of Uwe.   Another:   Peter Beard    So much of Africa is beautiful and I love African women.   Get out of that sterile studio space with boring background.

An important part of photography is cropping, it can make the difference between a good image and a great image.


In this image the missing hand and feet are hurting this image in a big way for me.

Overall lighting seems to hash in most of your images, posing could be improved as well.

I wish you well

Personally for this picture I find if her head was up, showing raw emotion, as well as having her hands caressing her hair and pushing it upwards, it would add more to the picture and pose and she could still remain covered if that is what is desired. I do like the lighting you chose to apply for this picture.