|
Hey, everyone! I've moved from Vancouver, British Columbia to Austin, Texas, and desperately need to update my portfolio. I have some work lined up for the new year, but in the meantime, I need to do some heavy editing. Some of my photos are over three years old. I'm also an advocate for only showing people good work, and my book hasn't excited me, lately. Can you please give me your opinion on which photos need to hit the road? Your time is well appreciated! Dec 12 16 06:30 am Link Too little information to go on, I'm afraid. If your portfolio is your calling card and you want help in adjusting it, it would be helpful to know your goals. I could tell you which images I like or don't, but that may or may not be in line with what you want your portfolio to portray. Knowing your target(s) will guide the responses. For example, if you want to be a fashion model signed to an international agency, my personal input carries no weight, because I know nothing about what agencies want or need. On the other hand, if you want to appeal to photographers who have a portraiture interest, that's something on which I might have an opinion. Dec 12 16 07:00 am Link Sliver-Sliver wrote: Fair point! I aspire to continue to work casually in the field of lifestyle/commercial/portraiture modelling. I do not have the stats for fashion, but enjoy lifestyle and beauty work. My goal is to have a book that shows a range of expressions and looks within that realm. Does that information help? Dec 12 16 08:17 am Link You don't seem to know what to do with your hands in several shots. I'd cut 1 which is mostly a forearm shot, 5,6,7, and most of the last row. Your biggest needs are good head shots, you have none, and lifestyle photos, especially active and expressive shots. You can do it! Ah, now you have added one, forget my numbers, the advice remains. Dec 12 16 09:31 am Link When I scan a models portfolio I want to be wowed by the photos, which includes the models posing and image quality.  So when I look at this image my suggested changes would be to reverse leg position, that is to have your front leg extended so it appears as long as possible, models left elbow has a negative bent, with all the weight being supported by your left shoulder it is shortening the appearance of your neck. Would like to see your right hand and arm in the photo too, and to have more arch in your back. Move toward camera more so left side is slightly hanging over step, this will give a more rounded appearance, instead of being flattened by the step.  You just seem to be standing in front of a water feature, you appear limp, add some excitement a smile, a pose that uses all of your body. Bend your elbows; move them out to the side a bit to show off your shape.  Would like to see you arch your back more, you could turn your upper body toward camera, move hair behind left shoulder to open up neck [An open view of the neck will be more inviting.], lower shoulder for a long lovely appearing neck.  Because toes are pointed in and you are rolling your ankles this comes across as a timid stance, move away from the background, head and body are very square to camera.  Would be great to see all of your feet A great color professional headshot should be added to your portfolio I wish you well Dec 12 16 06:34 pm Link Meghan Congdon wrote: Perhaps it's me, but I don't get a wide and varied range of expressions or emotions in your portfolio. Dec 13 16 08:58 am Link Sliver-Sliver wrote: I agree, most of your photos have a similar expression. Dec 16 16 12:08 pm Link Thank you so much for the time you took in crafting your responses, and the feedback is duly noted! Howard Tarragon wrote: I agree the eyes are a little high, but a portrait crop may leave awkwardness with a broken line in the lifted arm. Howard Tarragon wrote: Again, I agree that my face being obscured is not ideal. I have a similar shot from a different angle, where I am looking at the camera. However, the movement of this image isn't as powerful, due to perspective. It kind of leaves me deciding which is more important: view of my face and expression, or dynamic power of pose. Howard Tarragon wrote: I've cut this photo and replaced with a better-composed, similar image from the same shoot. Howard Tarragon wrote: Thank you for the valuable input, especially the very specific (leave out the captions- and I think that's wise advice). I have a fair number of shoots lined up for January, and I'll be walking in with mental notes to be conscious of expression. In the meantime, I've updated my portfolio with a number of new, hopefully more vibrant, images. I'd love a quick glance and any commentary on improvement/direction. Jan 04 17 11:28 am Link Many of your images are not very good because of failures that are the fault of the photographer. To me this portrays a lack of experience on your part because you don't have a lot of images to present. That doesn't bother me, I'm willing to work with anyone who shows up but higher end photographers may tend to pass you by. TF, TF, and more TF if you want to want to bring your portfolio up a few notches. The problem with TF is you're going to have bad shoots with images you won't want to use. Having a pretty face doesn't exempt you from putting in the time and effort. Jan 05 17 04:13 am Link WisconsinArt wrote: I appreciate your time and thoughts. I do have seven years of experience in modelling, and have never had any issues booking paid work. I work a healthy combination of trade and paid. Each of the photos in my portfolio (with the exception of two) are representative of a different shoot, time, and place. More doesn't always mean better. That said, if the *quality* of the photos leaves the viewer wanting, continuing to cut and replace is always the best decision. Jan 05 17 07:29 am Link The other comments pretty much dissect the technical issues. Your portfolio doesn't represent your experience very well. Paid shoots may have produced killer images but you don't always receive images, just money. All said, if you're getting enough paid work I wouldn't worry about the portfolio that much. Looked at my portfolio? It's not that great. I don't care, what I earn with photography is not dependent on the portfolio. It does make a few snobs look down on me around here but my energy is spent on earning dollars, not impressing people. Jan 05 17 12:03 pm Link You have a great look! Sorry to have such a narrow focus but it looks like you have fabulous breasts and that side-boob shot isn't your best pose. Get a side-boob re-shoot maybe doing something with tack or in a workshop. Jan 05 17 04:23 pm Link I would drop the one of you in the white top with the sun directly behind you. The sunlight is just a little too overpowering for the image and a little too close to your face. I would drop the one in the short pink dress where you are throwing little stars. I like the idea, but the shadows hitting your face are too distracting and unflattering. The one where you are walking in the black-and-white sweater is similar enough to the one where you are leaning against the fence in the multicolored sweater that you don't need both. I would keep the one where you are leaning against the fence. The portrait with the gold wrist bracelets is similar enough to the sepia-toned portrait that you don't need both. I strongly prefer the one with the bracelets. Feb 10 17 05:49 am Link Keep these, kill the rest and then and build from there:     Feb 10 17 08:44 am Link |
Thanks for the suggestions, and if you were inclined, I'd love to hear which of my images are least appealing to you. If a composition or lighting or angle problem is pointed out to me, usually I *cannot unsee*, and then I ditch it. Thanks again!
