Emmiq wrote:
are there anymore spots left? =p

yep - you're in - but there are a few ahead of you - I'm doing 2 or 3 a day so please be patient

Fotografica Gregor wrote:
BTW I don't mean to be harping on this (since I mentioned this to the lady above as well)  but it happens to be the last thing that most models master....

If you build a pose from the ground up,  knowing what your foot position and knee positions are doing to create this foundation,  work the line of your hips against the line of the breast / collarbone,  create elegant head / neck positions, you are 90% "there".   

The last 10% is the arms and hands.  The best models I've seen always check in with their hands as the last "item" in building their poses.

Thank a lot. Absolutely great critique, you help me much. Hope you will see sign of your help in the next shots.

Egle Damulyte wrote:
i'm in

Hello Egle Damulyte -

You have a lovely editorial look and an interesting range of facial expression. You use your eyes fairly well, and have good camera presence.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30754866#

left panel:

your photographer is shooting you from a properly low perspective for this shot. When you see your photographer take a low shooting position,  be aware of what that perspective means for your face - in other words, if your photographer goes low,  you need to drop your chin.   This shot, with the chin elevated, is not flattering for your face, and is straight up the nostrils. With a lowered chin this becomes a much more dynamic shot.

also arm positions -   instead of having the arms disappear behind the head,  and only one hand showing with curled fingers,  an elegant position of the hands and arms completely showing, the hands pretend touching your hair on each side,  would perhaps have been a more lovely presentation.   

right panel:

you are literally looking down your nose at the photographer -  if your chin were lowered and you were looking slightly upward at the photographer, this is a much more dynamic look, minimizing the neck, creating a better perspective balance or ratio between head and body, and emphasizing your cheek bones.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#30486408

left panel:

I've said enough about elegant hands in this thread already.  In this shot, if you lowered your chin and looked hard at your photographer - not at the end of the lens but through the lens as though you could see him or her behind it,  this would have been a more dynamic look.  Otherwise I like the pose and the vibe.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#29447445
I find this to be beautiful and soulful -

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#27105786
cool pose and motion capture - imagine how much more lovely with elegant hand positions instead of curled fingers -   okay, I'll repeat this here lol -  elegant hands are nearly straight but not stiff,  fingers slightly spread. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790308

left panel -

it looks natural having your hands in pockets in this setting, no real complaint - but if the hand were outside of the pockets, elegantly pretend-touching the fur in the pocket or below the pocket areas, this would be lovely.

right panel -

the curled fingers in this pose with the hand against the cheek work just fine.  This is a lovely shot.

given the pose and the use of the cigarette, I find the hand positions here to be lovely.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790274



my last observation:

compare the shape and look of your face between this shot
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790302

and this one
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790290

suggest learning to keep your chin at an angle with the plane of the camera / point of view.  Much more flattering to the face and eyes.

Suggest working on hand positions.

I hope you find this helpful.

angie marie w wrote:
mine please...im just started this around oct and its just a hobby for now...but i love getting my pic taken and trying to get an awesome shot out of it...

Hello Angie Marie W -

basing my critique on the information in your profile, that you have recently started and that this is a hobby for you....

This is a cool shot - I like the pose, the mood
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30719139

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30718492
nice pinup vibe and facial expression

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30666193
nice pose, very unflattering facial expression

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30666167
pose is basically good but would have been better with a straighter back

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30545792
this is a pretty cool look

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30545782
this is horrible - really awkward and very much below the standard of your current portfolio

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30545719
lovely style and concept - better posture would have rocked it.


In short I see a few lovely facial expressions and a few not so lovely

one shot that really really needs to be dumped

I see a need for posture practice -  posture is your friend - and always makes a shot look more elegant and dynamic

these are basic considerations for a model - you are largely on track for your interest and experience level.   Work on these issues and hit me up in six months.  Don't be discouraged however if at that point the critique is a bit sharper on other details

LLOYD WRIGHT wrote:
i know i can't count....but i may be better with a camera...or maybe not!!!

Hello Lloyd Wright -

my critique will be based on the expectations appropriate for someone with a lengthy background in photojournalism,  and your stated goals.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30848334
this is not telling me a story, and the model looks bored and disconnected.  The idea is cool as is the perspective.   For this "story" to work I would want to see more engagement by the model -  but it is *your* story and perhaps you did not "feel" it that way. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#30848350
interesting shot -  it does not quite work for me because the trees are leaning -  though this may have been your intention.  If not, it is a matter of being aware of the entire frame and not just your subject.  I know this is not a primary concern of photojournalism so it may be a matter of retraining. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#30848347
this is cool - like the grain and the mood. As a photojournalist for four decades I can appreciate it

This is exceptionally lovely
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#30190932

this is pretty as well
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#28770728
but a slightly different left arm position would have been nicer - at least from an artistic critique point of view -  it appears that this is not your interest, viewing your entire portfolio, and I can understand that.   

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#28742635
this is gorgeous

as is this
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#25315541

and this
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#26121541

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#27105018
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#25315749
superb juxtaposition of linear and curvilinear form and of texture

In sum I like what you are doing overall.  I like the perspectives, the contrast ratios, the use of grain. 

I find some of the model posing to be a little short of what I personally would want but from your profile statement I am not going to critique that, as it appears not to be your concern. 

I find some of the model expressions to be jarring in contraposition to the posing, but thereagain  I think that is also not a concern in your work, based on your profile statement.

I like your work and find little that I can suggest toward improvement that would be consistent with your goals.

Mariana Vergara wrote:
I will like to hear what are you thoughts about my portfolio.Thank you

Hello Mariana Vergara -

I will be basing my critique on the "mission statement" in your profile, that you are about "fashion, beauty, art, makeup, etc"  and " my dream are (sic) to be in magazines, prints, calendars, etc"

First off, perhaps you know by now, that to do "real" fashion work,  photographers are looking for editorial agency standard models of 5'9+= in height at size 0/2 with a preferred measurement not deviating far from 34-24-34,  and that the mid to upper level indie magazines and all of the big magazines are looking for this as well. 

That being said, if you just love doing fashion and are content with the majority of your possible publications being in the lower level to mid level indie magazines I would not let this discourage you.

I have several publications, some at a moderately high level, with models who are not 5'9+=, one of whom is 5' if you stretch her

I think you have a lovely face for beauty work, but I am not a makeup artist.

So let's look at your images.....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30837917
pose and expression look forced, stiff, uncomfortable

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#30837908
I see some lovely facial structure but I don't see personality.  Personality and / or really strong camera connection are major ingredients in this sort of shot.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#29543351
love the energy here, the connection with your viewer, but not so much the elbows pointed at the camera and arms blocking the couture - a big no-no in fashion.   

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#29543400
lovely - would be better with elegant hand positions - hands straighter but not stiff, fingers slightly spread

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#28682771
Like the mood - would like the shot better if your chin were lower, and this would be more flattering for your face as well

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#29543450
I like this -  would like it better with elegant hands,  the left slightly spread and pretend-touching your jeans near the hip or upper thigh

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#28300950
this is fairly lovely - but I'm not seeing a  mood in your expression that is consistent with the scene and theme -  there is a bit of dissonance there

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#27656131
very lovely - could be improved with elegant hands but very lovely

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#27467335
very lovely - love the mood, the connection with your viewer - would have been better with a better line in the left arm pose and a nicer left hand position

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#27231310
very lovely - would have been just a bit better with stronger posture (spinal alignment)

I have given you a pretty tight critique because of your stated goals of working in fashion and beauty and toward publications and calendars.

I think you can do it, and I'm rooting for you - but you are going to have to work at it.

Emmiq wrote:
no problem, i am very patient...

when you get a chance, could you please explain what you meant by "plane of the photographer" when you told Stephanie "When looking at the camera do not look at the end of the lens - your gaze needs to be focused at or behind the plane of the photographer to look "sharp".  "?

Thank you very much

Sure -

if you look at the end of the lens, your gaze is focused several inches short of the sensor in the camera that captures the image   -  this makes your eyes look less focused on the viewer, less "interested"

a very basic trick in modeling is that when you are looking at the viewer / camera / photographer (which you do *not* have to do in every shot by the way)  you need to imagine yourself looking *through* the lens to the eye behind the camera so that your focus point is sharp from the viewer perspective.

When you are shooting with lighting you should be looking at the main light, or at the photographer, or at some point in the distance in between.  But, *look* !  Sharpen your gaze, so that you look interested and connected. 

If you turn your face away from the photographer in the opposite direction of the main light there will be unflattering shadowing or sometimes hot spots if the fill / rim lights are not well controlled.

Fotografica Gregor wrote:

Hi Melodye Joy

you seem to be first in line for the second round of 10 -

right then -

It seems to me that you are accomplishing a lot, given your credits.  You know that you do not fit the standards for editorial or commercial fashion, but you've made a niche for yourself -   congratulations.

And you have at least 5 years experience given your MM join date. 

So what I am going to have to say are fine points, things that might help you refine your craft and hopefully take things up yet another notch.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27350432
you have a great face - and the style / concept are wonderful, but this would have been a decidedly stronger image, with better posture. When I am shooting beauty work I reject right off the top any shots with stooped shoulders. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/29709112
This shot is beautiful - lovely look, style and mood - but it is distracting that your right hand is obscured.  This would have been improved with an elegant nearly straight hand, fingers slightly spread, tilted in plane slightly toward the camera, and pretend-touching your hair.   

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25612855
Love the personality here -  but your arm position is a detraction - if the shot had been cropped wider you would have had your elbow pointing at the camera - a no-no -  if you want bent elbows with hands up around the face or hair, always rotate your arm at least 60 degrees away from the camera.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25390379
This one is tough - you are trying to hold the sheer fabric with your left hand, resulting in the hand being "cut off" visually where you are grasping the fabric.  A much more lovely effect could have been achieved with your hand nearly straight, fingers spread a fair bit,  *inside* the fabric, lifting it into position, with your hand in an elegant shape showing through.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30661245
here the goal is to hold the box, but the way your left arm is doing it results in a disappearing arm.  Thereagain, elegant hand and arm positions -  you could have used your hand in a nice shape to support the under side of the box or to pull it toward you....

you notice that I am harping on arms and hands -  this is a consistent issue in your port -  and a rather advanced one, as is fitting with your experience. 

I also see a few shots where the chin is lifted too much -  and one where the chin being lifted is appropriate and dynamic

so I see three areas of concentration

Back / shoulder posture
neck / head / chin posture
elegant hands and arms

You are doing well -  hopefully paying some attention to these facets of your craft will result in furthering your achievements.

Ohhh...you hit it right on the money! Posture and hand/arm movement is certainly the worst for me! Always trying to improve this, without looking too ..posed.

Thanks so much for the detailed critique!! Certainly going to work on all of the above as I go forward!

xo

Fotografica Gregor wrote:

Hello Egle Damulyte -

You have a lovely editorial look and an interesting range of facial expression. You use your eyes fairly well, and have good camera presence.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30754866#

left panel:

your photographer is shooting you from a properly low perspective for this shot. When you see your photographer take a low shooting position,  be aware of what that perspective means for your face - in other words, if your photographer goes low,  you need to drop your chin.   This shot, with the chin elevated, is not flattering for your face, and is straight up the nostrils. With a lowered chin this becomes a much more dynamic shot.

also arm positions -   instead of having the arms disappear behind the head,  and only one hand showing with curled fingers,  an elegant position of the hands and arms completely showing, the hands pretend touching your hair on each side,  would perhaps have been a more lovely presentation.   

right panel:

you are literally looking down your nose at the photographer -  if your chin were lowered and you were looking slightly upward at the photographer, this is a much more dynamic look, minimizing the neck, creating a better perspective balance or ratio between head and body, and emphasizing your cheek bones.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#30486408

left panel:

I've said enough about elegant hands in this thread already.  In this shot, if you lowered your chin and looked hard at your photographer - not at the end of the lens but through the lens as though you could see him or her behind it,  this would have been a more dynamic look.  Otherwise I like the pose and the vibe.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#29447445
I find this to be beautiful and soulful -

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#27105786
cool pose and motion capture - imagine how much more lovely with elegant hand positions instead of curled fingers -   okay, I'll repeat this here lol -  elegant hands are nearly straight but not stiff,  fingers slightly spread. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790308

left panel -

it looks natural having your hands in pockets in this setting, no real complaint - but if the hand were outside of the pockets, elegantly pretend-touching the fur in the pocket or below the pocket areas, this would be lovely.

right panel -

the curled fingers in this pose with the hand against the cheek work just fine.  This is a lovely shot.

given the pose and the use of the cigarette, I find the hand positions here to be lovely.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790274



my last observation:

compare the shape and look of your face between this shot
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790302

and this one
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#25790290

suggest learning to keep your chin at an angle with the plane of the camera / point of view.  Much more flattering to the face and eyes.

Suggest working on hand positions.

I hope you find this helpful.

thank you very much, this is really helpful !

Egle Damulyte wrote:

thank you very much, this is really helpful !

I'm glad - that is my goal in giving critique. Sometimes it can be a bit painful to "listen" to and I understand that as I regularly stick my own neck out.  But it is my goal to help people improve when I can...

Feel free to hit me up in six months for a "check-up" if you like.

Cheers

Emmiq wrote:
are there anymore spots left? =p

Hello  Emmiq

I read from your profile that you are fairly new to modeling, and that you are currently exploring all types of modelling - not particularly seeking, at this point, to work in any particular genre.  That is good really - newer models should experiment and see what they enjoy, and how they fit in various milieu.

I realize that you are pretty much a beginner, so my critique will be aimed at that level.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30800388
What a beautiful look -   lovely style and colour  -  but it would be prettier with an elegant hand position (here I come again talking about hands lol) -  Imagine this same shot with your hand open, fingers slightly spread, resting on the far side of your hair and face, fingertips pretend-touching -     it would be prettier, and your hand would not look so large in comparison with your head.  Because the hand is closer - much closer given the working distance - than your head, this distortion is created.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30589732
same thing-  the fingers on your left hand are sort of hooked - much prettier if they are nearly straight but not stiff, and pretend- touching your hair or face

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30511969
beautifully subtle "S" curve pose - the camera loves this. Beautiful look and mood.  How could we improve this? Hands of course - but also, it appears to me - and this is subtle - that your head is leaning a bit away from the viewer - that your chin is nearer the viewer than your eyes....   the look away to the side with the eyes closed is lovely -  but if the head were held straighter this would be an improvement

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30664308
Love the pose (mostly) the look, the mood -   re-imagine this shot, with your right arm held a little lower, your elbow farther back (away from the camera) and an elegantly formed hand lightly pretend touching your face......

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30506101
when the elbow of a bent arm is pointed to much toward the camera, the arm appears foreshortened and / or "fat" -  try the hand a bit lower, the elbow further back for a prettier line

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/29321736
this is lovely

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30354705
really like the pose, the mood

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30865167
super mood

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30750667
lovely beauty work


in sum - you create some lovely moods with your expressions and posing -  you are probably a bit further ahead at this point than many with as little experience -

but be more conscious of your arms and hands - don't reach "up" so far that the arm does not have good separation from the body - keep the elbows as close to 90 degrees away from the camera as possible when doing the bent arm to hair / head / face poses,  work on elegant hand lines.   

Is there more?  Sure - but that is enough for this stage of the game

Fotografica Gregor wrote:

Hello Lloyd Wright -

my critique will be based on the expectations appropriate for someone with a lengthy background in photojournalism,  and your stated goals.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30848334
this is not telling me a story, and the model looks bored and disconnected.  The idea is cool as is the perspective.   For this "story" to work I would want to see more engagement by the model -  but it is *your* story and perhaps you did not "feel" it that way. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#30848350
interesting shot -  it does not quite work for me because the trees are leaning -  though this may have been your intention.  If not, it is a matter of being aware of the entire frame and not just your subject.  I know this is not a primary concern of photojournalism so it may be a matter of retraining. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#30848347
this is cool - like the grain and the mood. As a photojournalist for four decades I can appreciate it

This is exceptionally lovely
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#30190932

this is pretty as well
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#28770728
but a slightly different left arm position would have been nicer - at least from an artistic critique point of view -  it appears that this is not your interest, viewing your entire portfolio, and I can understand that.   

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#28742635
this is gorgeous

as is this
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#25315541

and this
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#26121541

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#27105018
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 4#25315749
superb juxtaposition of linear and curvilinear form and of texture

In sum I like what you are doing overall.  I like the perspectives, the contrast ratios, the use of grain. 

I find some of the model posing to be a little short of what I personally would want but from your profile statement I am not going to critique that, as it appears not to be your concern. 

I find some of the model expressions to be jarring in contraposition to the posing, but thereagain  I think that is also not a concern in your work, based on your profile statement.

I like your work and find little that I can suggest toward improvement that would be consistent with your goals.

hello, thank-you for your time and indepth views and comments.

cheers ears
lloyd.

Fotografica Gregor wrote:

Hello  Emmiq

I read from your profile that you are fairly new to modeling, and that you are currently exploring all types of modelling - not particularly seeking, at this point, to work in any particular genre.  That is good really - newer models should experiment and see what they enjoy, and how they fit in various milieu.

I realize that you are pretty much a beginner, so my critique will be aimed at that level.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30800388
What a beautiful look -   lovely style and colour  -  but it would be prettier with an elegant hand position (here I come again talking about hands lol) -  Imagine this same shot with your hand open, fingers slightly spread, resting on the far side of your hair and face, fingertips pretend-touching -     it would be prettier, and your hand would not look so large in comparison with your head.  Because the hand is closer - much closer given the working distance - than your head, this distortion is created.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30589732
same thing-  the fingers on your left hand are sort of hooked - much prettier if they are nearly straight but not stiff, and pretend- touching your hair or face

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30511969
beautifully subtle "S" curve pose - the camera loves this. Beautiful look and mood.  How could we improve this? Hands of course - but also, it appears to me - and this is subtle - that your head is leaning a bit away from the viewer - that your chin is nearer the viewer than your eyes....   the look away to the side with the eyes closed is lovely -  but if the head were held straighter this would be an improvement

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30664308
Love the pose (mostly) the look, the mood -   re-imagine this shot, with your right arm held a little lower, your elbow farther back (away from the camera) and an elegantly formed hand lightly pretend touching your face......

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30506101
when the elbow of a bent arm is pointed to much toward the camera, the arm appears foreshortened and / or "fat" -  try the hand a bit lower, the elbow further back for a prettier line

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/29321736
this is lovely

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30354705
really like the pose, the mood

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30865167
super mood

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30750667
lovely beauty work


in sum - you create some lovely moods with your expressions and posing -  you are probably a bit further ahead at this point than many with as little experience -

but be more conscious of your arms and hands - don't reach "up" so far that the arm does not have good separation from the body - keep the elbows as close to 90 degrees away from the camera as possible when doing the bent arm to hair / head / face poses,  work on elegant hand lines.   

Is there more?  Sure - but that is enough for this stage of the game

Thank you so much for the detailed critique

I just want to say that your help here for everyone is very much appreciated

Fotografica Gregor wrote:

Hello Mariana Vergara -

I will be basing my critique on the "mission statement" in your profile, that you are about "fashion, beauty, art, makeup, etc"  and " my dream are (sic) to be in magazines, prints, calendars, etc"

First off, perhaps you know by now, that to do "real" fashion work,  photographers are looking for editorial agency standard models of 5'9+= in height at size 0/2 with a preferred measurement not deviating far from 34-24-34,  and that the mid to upper level indie magazines and all of the big magazines are looking for this as well. 

That being said, if you just love doing fashion and are content with the majority of your possible publications being in the lower level to mid level indie magazines I would not let this discourage you.

I have several publications, some at a moderately high level, with models who are not 5'9+=, one of whom is 5' if you stretch her

I think you have a lovely face for beauty work, but I am not a makeup artist.

So let's look at your images.....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30837917
pose and expression look forced, stiff, uncomfortable

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#30837908
I see some lovely facial structure but I don't see personality.  Personality and / or really strong camera connection are major ingredients in this sort of shot.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#29543351
love the energy here, the connection with your viewer, but not so much the elbows pointed at the camera and arms blocking the couture - a big no-no in fashion.   

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#29543400
lovely - would be better with elegant hand positions - hands straighter but not stiff, fingers slightly spread

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#28682771
Like the mood - would like the shot better if your chin were lower, and this would be more flattering for your face as well

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#29543450
I like this -  would like it better with elegant hands,  the left slightly spread and pretend-touching your jeans near the hip or upper thigh

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#28300950
this is fairly lovely - but I'm not seeing a  mood in your expression that is consistent with the scene and theme -  there is a bit of dissonance there

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#27656131
very lovely - could be improved with elegant hands but very lovely

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#27467335
very lovely - love the mood, the connection with your viewer - would have been better with a better line in the left arm pose and a nicer left hand position

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 7#27231310
very lovely - would have been just a bit better with stronger posture (spinal alignment)

I have given you a pretty tight critique because of your stated goals of working in fashion and beauty and toward publications and calendars.

I think you can do it, and I'm rooting for you - but you are going to have to work at it.

HarryL wrote:
Do you still on!

Hello HarryL -

first off let me say that I think your portfolio is brilliant and I've really enjoyed having a flick through.  I don't think I'm going to be able to tell you anything revolutionary, and the opinions I will express are based in my own preferences more than any deeper technical skill.   I shoot primarily fashion and art nudes, which have certain expectations that may not fit your work or your concept....


One thing that is, or at least was once upon a time, considered a technical point, when obtaining photography or fine art education back in the 60s and 70s,  was attention to golden mean and golden ration composition.   I see many shots in your portfolio where a standing model is centred or closely so in frame,  where a certain elegance of composition and dynamic tension, at least according to my old school perspective, is lost...    to some extent there is an issue of cropping as well - I also do this with some shots, cropping the image in a more vertical than standard format.  Perhaps a wider format, a slightly or greatly off centre model placement and more use of negative space may be worth exploring....

but this is not a consistent problem and your composition of other than standing subjects is generally brilliant.

eg

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25627608
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25255771
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/23879455
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/23362465
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/22497277


Another semi- issue with some shots is perspective   

Since I shoot editorial fashion I tend to work with models 5'9+= at size 0/2.  This tends to be my personal preference in female company as well lol so my art nudes and other photographic activities tend to also often include models of similar proportion. 

Models with this shape allow you to shoot from a semi low perspective to give them incredible length, as long as they are not in the habit of raising the chin, which ruins the shot from this perspective in my view.

However when shooting models at size 4 or certainly 6 and above, the low perspective makes them look a bit heavier, even pair shaped.  I see at least one example in your port that I won't link so as not to seem to imply any criticism of the model. 

I see some skin tones in your port that are too yellow or orange for my taste, but as your profile is sparse, I'm not sure what your shooting goals are, so this may or may not be a legitimate or helpful point for you.

I see some images like this one
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/21705472

where there appears to be no depth and little structure or detail in the model's body -   this is not to my personal preference but that is a matter of taste. I prefer both light and non-destructive editing, which maintain a sense of shape and dimension in the image.

so that's about it -   I like your work and hope I've found a thing or two that are at least worth your thinking about

Nightlites Photography wrote:
I am interested in your critique. If you will, it will be greatly appreciated.

Hello Nightlites Photography -

I am assuming, perhaps incorrectly, based on your MM join date, your profile, and the size and content of your portfolio, that you are fairly new.  My critique will be in accord with this assumption.  If you want a great deal more meat, may I suggest reading my critiques of other photographers in this thread?

so here goes

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30864141
way way way too much saturation and colour -  model too centred in frame

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30843947
cool self portrait (I assume)  - but lotsa burnt out highlights - don't know if this is an artistic statement on your part but just sayin'

your maternity shots are lovely but a lighter hand with saturation and tone would be nicer

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841296
lovely, but lots of burnt out highlights

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841290
beautiful.....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841243
you have a nice eye for portraiture, nice depth of field control and composition - but the saturation is way too strong

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841232
this is very cool but I personally would like it better with a depth of field that showed more detail in the background while still isolating your subject just a bit -

well - in sum -

I like your eye for portraiture and people pictures

you need to sort out some basics -

make sure your camera is set for a standard or neutral picture control or profile - there is way too much saturation throughout

pay more attention to exposure -  never ever let your camera decide your exposures for you -  use an incident light meter,  or if you insist on using your camera's meter,  learn how your camera "sees"  (it evaluates all scenes as though they were about 18% grey)  and learn to use the zone system to mentally adjust your metering to suit the subject and lighting conditions. 

pay more attention to white balance -  never ever ever use auto white balance if you are serious about your work - either set white balance in every lighting condition with a grey card or a kit made for that purpose, or use a shot of a grey card to use to adjust white balance in post

pay a bit more attention to composition in your people pictures -  centred compositions are boring - use some offset and some negative space - advise studying up on the golden ratios, golden mean and rule of thirds

I see a lovely empathetic and artistic sensibility in your work - please concentrate on mastering the basics.  I want to see great things from you.

Red Baron Photography wrote:
If you are still on it - have a look
Thank you!

Hello Red Baron Photography

I see that you have been on MM for about a year and a half, and that you consider yourself to have "some experience".    I am based on this and on your portfolio going to consider that you are beyond beginner but not quite intermediate and my critique will be based on this impression and assumption...

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/24366376
she's pretty and I like your perspective here - it is a charming moment- but *what* is in focus in this shot?   It may be my eyes (they are not the best) but I don't see anything in focus -   your focus point should be the inside corner of the near eye when shooting this close....  pay attention to your shutter speeds and keep them above the reciprocal of the focal length you are using.  If you use VR or IS be aware that you need to give it a moment to work before you pull the trigger or it will sometimes induce blur...

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#24366998
much better focus -   

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#24366402
I really like your chosen perspective, but not the pipe growing out of her head.  Move her or yourself around til you do not have obvious objects growing out of heads -  or use a shallow depth of field to blur the background

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#24366954
great look from your model but notice too things - how big her right arm looks in relation to her head,  and how "dull" the image is -   a better perspective or longer focal length or tighter composition is called for, as is using some fill flash or a reflector to add contrast to her face vis a vis the overall light value in the scene. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#24201491
nice perspective and depth - but - you focused so much on your model that you horizons are way out of level.  Either shoot much shallower depth of field  to blur the background,  or direct your model a bit better so that the angles of her pose are harmonious with a composition that is more in line with the horizons and verticals in the scene.   

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#24201501
very nice use of backlight but notice how dull her face is?  You needed some fill flash or a reflector here.  Note also the composition -  way too much dead space over her head.....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#24201475
smashing look from your model - decently composed - too much "headroom", great perspective though...

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#24979905
very lovely model style and pose -  too busy in the background - too many wires growing out of her head, etc.   Sometimes you really have to work to position your model to take advantage of a scene without these basic errors -  or just isolate her with shallower depth of field.   I know it's hard with a pretty model giving you a great look but *do not fall in love with your subject*    look around and evaluate the whole frame.  This is the difference between an image and a snapshot....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#23922549
I like it - nice focus and composition  - could have been improved with an elevated perspective or some model direction - her chin seems to be the subject of this photo -   it is closer to the viewer than her eyes and is larger and commands more attention....

okay - that's enough to work on -   perspective,  situational / frame awareness,  good focus points and just a bit better model direction, depth of field awareness and use of locations...  you're coming along fine.

Noodz by TC wrote:
I'll play

Hello Noodz by TC -

first let me say that I am sorry that I seem to have missed you whilst you were located in my area -    I do like your portfolio.  I'll have to work at it a bit, to find somethings to hopefully be of help.....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30410869
this is just brilliant, but the feet are a distraction for me -   keeping in mind that I am accustomed to working with dancers, high end fashion models and art nude models -  I notice the dark area of your heel and the ball of the foot  -  it is possible that the environment was dirty but this should be maintained a bit better for this sort of work -   also notice the partially missing right hand - an elegant hand position (please see detailed advice on this to other models in this thread)  hand nearer to straight, fingers slightly spread, delicately pretend touching your hip or bottom would have been more elegant....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#30169669
a little better posture and somewhat more elegant hand positions would have raised this already fine shot to a higher level

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#29951448
a lower chin position would have given much more of a sense of connection in this shot

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#29717343
this is absolutely, un- unutterably smashing 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#29542438
your right hand not obscuring your face somewhat would have been prettier - but very few models have the sense of kinetic self awareness to catch that.   Just pointing it out for future consideration.  Perhaps when working that or similar pose in the future, an entirely different position of the right arm would be better -   it is very lovely work

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#28659067
love the pose, the mood - but more elegant use of hands would have improved the shot

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#28314653
gorgeous work

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#27939839
a good pose to revisit in the mirror and adapt to more elegant hand and arm positions, ideally if the arms are going to pass behind your head we should see both hands, fairly straight, perhaps touching the opposite arm - the one on top level, the other inside facing. This is a high level of detail that many never consider or reach but I think you have the potential to take it up a notch.  It is an otherwise smashing pose and look. 

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 9#26409827
just exquisite -


right then - in sum:

a little more concentration on posture, and on hand / arm positions should help you take the elegance and refinement up a notch, but you are doing beautiful work.....

Carolina Goddess wrote:
Me please when you have a chance. Thanks!

Hello Carolina Goddess

I assume from your MM join date, your profile and portfolio that you are fairly new so my critique  will be aimed at this level

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30818050
a more elegant hand position (see my discussion on this with models early in this thread)  would be nicer  - the bit of tongue is not doing anything for me...

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30779892
a chin raised this high usually does not work well  - a lower chin and eye contact with the camera would have been better

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30707478
nice vibe and use of hands

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30706894
Like the pose, the style, the vibe - the symmetrical pose goes well with the photographer's composition here

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30684489
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30675280
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30564749
elbows and / or armpits pointed this much in the camera direction do not work well -  if the photographer insists on shooting it from this angle, advise swiveling at the waist toward him or her a bit

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#30651131
very cute -  like the style and colour

Hopefully this will give you some basic consideration to work on for a while - I hope this is of help.

Fotografica Gregor wrote:

Hello Nightlites Photography -

I am assuming, perhaps incorrectly, based on your MM join date, your profile, and the size and content of your portfolio, that you are fairly new.  My critique will be in accord with this assumption.  If you want a great deal more meat, may I suggest reading my critiques of other photographers in this thread?

so here goes

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30864141
way way way too much saturation and colour -  model too centred in frame

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30843947
cool self portrait (I assume)  - but lotsa burnt out highlights - don't know if this is an artistic statement on your part but just sayin'

your maternity shots are lovely but a lighter hand with saturation and tone would be nicer

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841296
lovely, but lots of burnt out highlights

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841290
beautiful.....

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841243
you have a nice eye for portraiture, nice depth of field control and composition - but the saturation is way too strong

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30841232
this is very cool but I personally would like it better with a depth of field that showed more detail in the background while still isolating your subject just a bit -

well - in sum -

I like your eye for portraiture and people pictures

you need to sort out some basics -

make sure your camera is set for a standard or neutral picture control or profile - there is way too much saturation throughout

pay more attention to exposure -  never ever let your camera decide your exposures for you -  use an incident light meter,  or if you insist on using your camera's meter,  learn how your camera "sees"  (it evaluates all scenes as though they were about 18% grey)  and learn to use the zone system to mentally adjust your metering to suit the subject and lighting conditions. 

pay more attention to white balance -  never ever ever use auto white balance if you are serious about your work - either set white balance in every lighting condition with a grey card or a kit made for that purpose, or use a shot of a grey card to use to adjust white balance in post

pay a bit more attention to composition in your people pictures -  centred compositions are boring - use some offset and some negative space - advise studying up on the golden ratios, golden mean and rule of thirds

I see a lovely empathetic and artistic sensibility in your work - please concentrate on mastering the basics.  I want to see great things from you.

Thank you very much, your criticism is greatly appreciated, I will now know what to look for before shooting. Its things like these that i want to hear, helps me provide better results for clients and my self. Thanks a lot once again.

Alice A Dylan wrote:
Your words will be very much appreciated as always

Hello Alice A Dylan

This is going to be tough for me -   I consider you to be as much a friend as is possible in a "relationship" formed through long distance communication and exchange of ideas on MM    

I am aware of your lifestyle (to the degree to which you have shared) and how this is expressed in your choice of style and posing - I have deep respect for this, and my critique will not ask you to do things that may be standard in other milieu but would not really be appropriate or helpful to your chosen genre....

I am also aware that you are fairly new to modeling - though in fact what you do is not so much modeling as an extension of your personal lifestyle- this makes it difficult to critique...

I love the sensitivity and vibe you bring to your work and I very much want to be of help so let's see what I can do .....



https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30892661
I love the vibe of these shots and am seeing elegant hand positions in use -  the posture in some cases might be improved but to an extent this touches upon aspects of the lolita cultural vibe so I leave it for you to consider - same with my general advice about leveling the chin and making strong eye contact with the camera in some shots -   not really appropriate in this series of images

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30868738
superb -  could have been improved with a little bit of the application of elegant hands discussed with other models in this thread - *not* referring to your left hand playing with your hair but rather to the right hand, which could have been somewhat straighter, turned more toward facing the camera, and pretend-touching your hair

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30852647
love this - very strong

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 1#30845226
generally, and in most instances, curled hands detract from a shot -  see if there is a way for you to incorporate a more elegant hand position here, that would also fit with the very subdued coquettish vibe

all in all I would suggest -

a consideration of adapting more elegant hand positions to your posing style

a consideration of somewhat more elegant posture within the vibe of the gyaru family of moods and genres

a bit more of a sense of focus with the eyes when you are not looking at the camera  -  this may somewhat fall outside of the moods you are creating here,  but eyes that are actually looking at something sharply hold just a bit more magnetism for the viewer than defocused eyes.  I am very aware of real Japanese street culture,  and that this to a degree is not "authentic"  but I think it might improve your work within modeling,  if this does not stretch your sensibilities too much..

I think that these subtle refinements adapted as you are able will produce improvement at this level.     

I am aware that the vibe you are creating is more about being observed than modeling in the strict sense.  That being said,  a certain awareness of the point of view chosen by the photographer might help as well -  there are instances where the tilt of your head for example is not as compatible as it could be with the perspective of the photographer.   

To an extent this is their responsibility,  but as a more advanced modeling concern, knowing the angles your photographer is taking, and knowing where your key light is (whether natural or in studio)  are both important developments.