Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
A-M-P wrote:
ok  Your best: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/10452962
Great makeup, lighting and model with an intriguing expression. The composition is very strong and the color palette reinforces it. It's the model that makes this photo eye-catching.
Your worst: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27913535
This is your worst, because your background competes with the model. It's really a shame because the outfit, makeup, styling, superb model, everything had the potential to be an outstanding shot. But the busy background steals the viewer's attention and overwhelms the rest.
Also in your profile, I would change "I just moved to the area from Boston and rely on public transport due to being unable to drive at the moment" to "rely on public transport as I am unable to drive.." Most models won't care, but it's confusing as currently written.
Your work should always be different and never compete with itself. The three close-up headshots in the third row compete with each other as they are similar in execution. Your cropping is also a little too tight on your subjects. A subject needs room to breathe. Learn more about negative space.
Much success,
Michael
Photographer
Jasons Boudoir
Posts: 1
Lubbock, Texas, US
I'd love your opinion. Thanks.
Photographer
Richard Knightly
Posts: 69
Warwick, England, United Kingdom
This is as good an offer as I've seen in a while. Thank you in advance.
Photographer
Steve Lim
Posts: 63
Falls Church, Virginia, US
Model
Luna Diosa
Posts: 13242
Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
Sure 
Model
Kanahara23
Posts: 49
Fort Smith, Arkansas, US
Photographer
Sven Lori
Posts: 278
Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
Great idea. I am in.
Please tell me also why :-)
Model
Aoify
Posts: 21
Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
I'm new, so I don't have much photo's yet. Still, I'm curios what are my best and worst.
So I can replace it with another photo if my port grows.
Photographer
PicturePerfectImage
Posts: 81
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I would love to hear you comments, thoughts and ideas for improvement! Thanks in advance!
Photographer
Dwight Smalls
Posts: 83
Jacksonville, Florida, US
I'd like to know your opinion please.
Photographer
TS Imagery
Posts: 519
Laguna Beach, California, US
Photographer
Aaron Pawlak
Posts: 2850
New York, New York, US
I'm curious what you might have to say if you can fit me in, but,
I'm not looking for a bio critique, I know that needs re-worked.
Photographer
jesse paulk
Posts: 3712
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Photographer
BK Shuman Photography
Posts: 430
Springfield, Ohio, US
I would like to know what you have to say about my work. Thanks
Photographer
mphunt
Posts: 923
Hudson, Florida, US
Model
Meggera
Posts: 91
South Gate, California, US
Model with Michael wrote:
Your best: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31901228
Shows your face and form well. Both of which are good and have potential. I would suggest working in this direction, but minus the weapon.
Your worst: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/11490093
Hides your face and is a candid shot. Fine for family, but not in a model portfolio.
My suggestion: You've got the height and figure to make it in this industry. Your face is fine and could look fantastic with a high quality makeup job. You auburn hair is also an asset. The longer you grow it, the more people will want to create elaborate shots using it. The money is in high fashion, not casual shots.
Seek out photographers with more experience, who have high quality portfolios to get some refined shots that flatter your height and form. Volunteer to be the face for MUAs you admire. With hustle, grit and determination, you will find opportunities with quality photographers and could build a great port!
Much success, Michael Thank you Michael!! I appreciate it a great deal!
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Brendan Lally Photo wrote:
Thanks Michael, appreciate the constructive feedback. Most welcome.
Model
Andi Maxwell
Posts: 7
Sacramento, California, US
I would love the feedback!
Model
Miss Leilani Jade
Posts: 2513
Decatur, Alabama, US
Model with Michael wrote:
You've got some great shots in your portfolio and are an excellent model.
Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/16417542
Fantastic image with creative styling, excellent pose. Really powerful.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/22898422
I do not like the pose. I do not like the lighting. I do not like the composition. It only makes a religious statement to certain viewers. It changes the direction of your portfolio away from its commercial value and thus takes strongly from your port.
A model's port for sale should have commercial value. If it's not for commercial value, then it is for friends. Most of the rest of your portfolio has commercial value. Only you can decide which direction you are trying to take.
You should cull some other photos from your port. It's not the volume of images that you have, but the quality of your photos that will bring you paid work. It's your ability to cull the ones with less impact that will give you a stronger port and bring you more work.
Much continued success,
Michael thank you so much I have the hardest time going through and getting rid of things. I am going to work on it this weekend, thanks again for the great advice
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Richard Knightly wrote:
This is as good an offer as I've seen in a while. Thank you in advance. You have excellent use of lighting and composition. I'm not so much seeing your best or your worst, because there is such consistency throughout your work.
The question is are you selling your work or are you selling your services? If you are selling your work, there is a great deal of consistency as opposed to differences in your work. If you are selling your services, you have locked yourself in to one style of work.
To judge your work I would need to know the end goal of your portfolio, what you are trying to achieve. In a number of your images I can surmise a purpose, but in many others your background becomes stronger than the model. They compete with each other, taking from the strength of the image.
For example:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/19520230
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15880094
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15880059
In this example:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/26125727
The background supports the model. Backgrounds should never be as strong as what you are trying to say with the model. Some of your backgrounds are as strong or stronger than your model, which takes from the strength of the image.
Your individual images are very interesting. When you see your full portfolio, you are competing with yourself. I see a great deal of artistic merit in your work. I hope you take my feedback in a positive way, not in a negative way. The most creative portfolio I have seen so far.
Much success,
Michael
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
FHS Photography wrote:
I would like your feedback please. Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/24372688
It shows the model's form in a positive way. However a lot more could be done with the pose, expression, makeup, and hair.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/20371714
This image lacks strength in composition, lighting, expression, makeup, hair. It looks like it was severely cropped in an attempt to make a final image.
Your overall portfolio needs more work in lighting and composition and a better understanding of how to pose the model.
I wish you success in your work,
Michael
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Warren Leimbach wrote:
I would love to hear your thoughts. Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31309471
This special effect shows your ability in lighting, composition, posing of the model. It's a very good commercial shot. Does not matter how you made it, just that you did make it.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27473556
This image lacks composition, correct lighting, and meaning.
Your overall portfolio shows your ability to put together images that convey action in various sports.
I wish you much continued success,
Michael
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Alexander Choi wrote:
I would very much value your opinion!
I'm in Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31734841
Very good lighting, composition, and execution. It presents the model very well. And your way of presenting the image is very creative.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31872027
This image lacks composition, lighting, posing. Basically the image is just there, but not complete.
Photographers tend to think that their best images are the ones that were hardest to do. But only they see that. The viewer only judges the final product, not the effort that went into making it.
Much success,
Michael
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
David A Bliss wrote:
Yes please Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31484768
This is the best I find in your portfolio. However, a lot more could be done in the composition and posing of the model.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/16313877
The lighting, composition and the posing of the model do not enhance the model in this photo. The image as presented is too dark. Though it appears that you were trying to set a mood, it did not work in this case.
Overall you need to learn a lot more about lighting, composition and the posing of the model to make a strong visual statement. Currently your photos lack impact. They are more a recording than a statement of what you may want to convey.
Much success,
Michael
Model
Lela Jesse
Posts: 1148
Shasta Lake, California, US
Photographer
isfotografia
Posts: 59
Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Love to hear your opinion
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Just Aly wrote:
me? Best clothed:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30772486
Sorry, I had the wrong link originally, but I fixed it. While I find this image to be the best of your clothed portfolio, a lot more should have been done in the composition, posing and expression.
Best nude:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31758552
The posing is excellent, but the composition would be much stronger if there was greater range in the lighting. Areas of the image can be dark, but you should be able to see something within the darkness.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31902061
I see no reason for this image to be included in your portfolio since it does not show you in a positive fashion.
I see a lot of merit in your work, but you would show better with more qualified photographers. Your full potential is not being realized, which is unfortunate as you have the figure and face.
Much success with your pregnancy and with your work,
Michael
Model
Tiffiney C
Posts: 570
Los Angeles, California, US
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
toesup wrote:
Sounds interesting.. Your profile picture is the best, because it has artistic merit. It achieves this by showing less. Your other images just show the model without any attempt to create art other than just record the model.
I would suggest you study more about posing models in addition to learning lighting and composition.
I wish you success with your work,
Michael
Photographer
Quay Lude
Posts: 6386
Madison, Wisconsin, US
Model with Michael wrote:
I've been a professional judge for photo competitions for many decades. I teach professional photographers at workshops, photo schools and seminars. I also teach models how to pose. So if you want honest feedback, I will pick out your best and/or your worst. If you want to know why, I'll let you know my reasoning.
If I really like your work, I'll comment and list it.
I wish you much success!
Michael Irresistible
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Crows Photography wrote:
Have a look Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27700547
Excellent pose and very good expression on the model. I would strongly caution working a model on that treated wood because splinters from it can create quite an infection and therefore liability.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/20893852
Your current profile picture, as it lacks composition, lighting, makeup and a better hairstyle.
Overall I would continue to improve your skills in lighting, composition and posing. It appears that you are relying on the model to do the posing and you to just do the recording. The photographer is the one looking in the camera and pushing the button Therefore he should totally direct the model, as she is not inside the camera.
You have some very interesting models to work with and I wish you much continued success,
Michael
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Jessie Rand wrote:
Im ready for it! Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31202359
Because of the setting and the model, but it could be much stronger with better posing. You are using the wrong focal length lens, which makes her face appear disproportionally large.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31842017
Images like this are not marketable. The retouch doesn't really enhance the image. Few would find merit for this photo being taken. It would not be a positive image in a model's portfolio.
Overall you need to study more about lighting, composition and posing to make stronger images.
Much success,
Michael
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
OmnyRa wrote:
Scary, but I'll take a shot... Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/29904464
The model and her pose are the best I see in your portfolio. Composition is from corner to corner. There should be nothing in an image that you do not want there. I see no asset in the two diamond shaped areas where water is coming out. They detract from the image.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31527475
This looks like it could have been a good model but she is just there in the photo. It lacks good composition, lighting, makeup, hair and definitely expression.
You have good models, but you should study posing, composition and lighting.
Much success,
Michael
Photographer
Model with Michael
Posts: 391
Frederick, Maryland, US
Ceci L wrote:
Me  Best:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30917904
You current profile is your best image. It could be improved with better composition. You have all the makings of a great model: form, face, figure, hair. You are obviously working very hard to produce your images, but your photographers lack experience and artistic ability to bring out your best assets.
Worst:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31548565
This photo is just there. It lacks good lighting, composition, makeup and hair styling. Your portfolio would be stronger without it. You could use a good close-up head shot to show your fine features, but this is not it.
I wish you much success. You have all the makings of a great model,
Michael
Photographer
TheZombieJose
Posts: 106
Los Angeles, California, US
Photographer
Richard Knightly
Posts: 69
Warwick, England, United Kingdom
This thread contains some of the most thoughtful critiques I have seen on MM. My genuine thanks for your insightful words on my port. I guess why we take photographs (or model, or do makeup etc.) is a question we all have to answer on a regular basis. This isn't my job; rather, it's a way to exercise the creative side of my brain outside the demands of running a business. I do sell my services and images, and plan to shift my style into higher end fashion in a few years, but for now I think I've mainly been focusing on creating a style that I can say is distinctively mine. So it has been a conscious decision to stay focused (I have other images in different genres that I don't show on here because I feel consistency is powerful). Having said that, I completely get what you're saying about locking in to a particular approach. Within that constraint, I do find it interesting to see how my work has evolved - to me, my more recent work (at the top) is more subtle and mature, and a bit better balanced between the foreground and background... as you say, there is more competition between the two lower down. Interestingly, in the recent work I tend to have photoshopped in the backgrounds, whereas the three examples you picked out were actually shot on location. I'm really tempted to go back to the Maldives image and remaster it to see what I would do with it now Thank you again for your thought-provoking words. Richard Model with Michael wrote:
You have excellent use of lighting and composition. I'm not so much seeing your best or your worst, because there is such consistency throughout your work.
The question is are you selling your work or are you selling your services? If you are selling your work, there is a great deal of consistency as opposed to differences in your work. If you are selling your services, you have locked yourself in to one style of work.
To judge your work I would need to know the end goal of your portfolio, what you are trying to achieve. In a number of your images I can surmise a purpose, but in many others your background becomes stronger than the model. They compete with each other, taking from the strength of the image.
For example:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/19520230
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15880094
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/15880059
In this example:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/26125727
The background supports the model. Backgrounds should never be as strong as what you are trying to say with the model. Some of your backgrounds are as strong or stronger than your model, which takes from the strength of the image.
Your individual images are very interesting. When you see your full portfolio, you are competing with yourself. I see a great deal of artistic merit in your work. I hope you take my feedback in a positive way, not in a negative way. The most creative portfolio I have seen so far.
Much success,
Michael
Photographer
Quentin Skyking
Posts: 296
Lancaster, Massachusetts, US
Go for it! I could use all the critique I can get...
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