AJScalzitti wrote:
Well that is an interesting question, and I don't know if trying to add more dramatic lighting would work with the expression she is giving you.  It's wroth a try, don't be afraid of shadows . I would suggest the old school lighting idea of making sure the planes of the face are lit but try something.

Paul Tirado Photography wrote:
Well they are all pretty much mostly centered torso shots that fill the frame from the same downward angle so make them....something else.   Shoot from higher up or lower down.  Get shots that get more of the location in them or maybe zoom in even closer.  Get the full body in there. Just get some variation. Not ever shot is winner so shoot away and see what works.

M A R L H A M wrote:
Bottom right is a nice shot and top left is OK. But there's a slight awkwardness about the modelling in the other two.

Crap that was fast! Thanks, Marlham! Yeah, that was my fault. I need to work on my communication skills to direct models a little more. I was very nervous because her mother was standing over my shoulder holding the reflector...

Yajhil Alvarez wrote:
The quality is gorgeous overall, her outfit is fine and the background awesome.  I think she looks a bit awkward pose-wise though in the second and third shot.  In the second, holding her hair like that, eh, she also looks a bit stiff specially because of the arm.  In the third, it looks like she flipped her arms backward, it looks very uncomfortable.  My vote is, if I had to pick one, would be the bottom right.

Yes! I did not notice that arm thing until post and I have no idea how she managed to do that. Maybe being a competitive dancer makes her more flexible...?

Carson S wrote:

Crap that was fast! Thanks, Marlham! Yeah, that was my fault. I need to work on my communication skills to direct models a little more. I was very nervous because her mother was standing over my shoulder holding the reflector...

I just looked at your port following the notes which you added to your OP. These are much more engaging than the other outdoor shots in the bottom row - both technically and aesthetically. A different league altogether I feel.

M A R L H A M wrote:
I just looked at your port following the notes which you added to your OP. These are much more engaging than the other outdoor shots in the bottom row - both technically and aesthetically. A different league altogether I feel.

I really appreciate that! It's been difficult networking with other photographers after moving to the middle of nowhere, so I rely on ModelMayhem to learn as much as I can and push myself to grow

Random Image wrote:
Pullman should be a fantastic place to find models, both WSU and UI are right there!

LOL, models for sure...I just need to overcome my awkward shyness first If they are on MM, at least they know that I am a photographer and not a stalker...

Random Image wrote:
Use craigslist.  Will have a lot more luck there!!

I would, but past experiences have taught me to be leery of craigslist models around here. My emails will suddenly stop getting any response and then out of the blue I will get an invitation to take pictures for my portfolio of them modeling in their cap and gown...

Peter House wrote:
As far as lighting and composition, I think these are great! You clearly have a good feel for that reflector.

Thank you, Peter! Tbh, that "feel" was more like instructing her mother to stand as close as she could without being in the picture

M A R L H A M wrote:
Bottom right is a nice shot and top left is OK. But there's a slight awkwardness about the modelling in the other two.

Agreed. I would choose one of those two and replace the montage, it's not doing anything for your portfolio.

Mark C Smith wrote:
Agreed. I would choose one of those two and replace the montage, it's not doing anything for your portfolio.

While the multiple image format negatively impacts the quality of the images, I feel I get much more valuable feedback from several images that are representative of the whole shoot rather than a critique of a single image.

Lee_Photography wrote:


Best of the four is bottom right, but the missing hands and feet do not work for me

Best lighting would be bottom left, but arms are in an awkward pose

Yeah, I have to work on not cutting off limbs... Thank you, Lee!