Hi, I have been doubting about my work lately. I need honest critique tech aspects, vision, lighting, etc.

I’m not going to critique your entire portfolio, photo by photo, but here are a couple of observations.





I love low-key lighting – and black on black (or black on black on black – dark-skinned model, black wardrobe, black background). I’m using it more and more, especially in my main MM portfolio. Also Caucasian models with low-key lighting, black background and skin tones rendered darker than “normal.”

But I wouldn’t use those combinations without kickers (aka rim lights) such as small strip boxes on each side to separate the model's skin, wardrobe and dark hair from the black background.

With dark shadows at the edges of the model‘s body and a black background, the model doesn’t pop. You can’t even tell where the model ends and the background begins.

Also, a black on black photo with low-key lighting will often benefit from a couple of small, bright highlights (such as the rims) to give a full tonal range.



This is an awkward crop. Three limbs chopped off (and one missing in action). It calls for better cropping (most likely at the time of shooting) and/or adjustments in the pose.

With a standing model, I try to avoid cropping anywhere below the knees except at mid-thigh (either ¾-length or, if not cropped there, full length). With a seated model, sometimes you can crop right below the knees – but that works best if the entire thigh is showing.

You’re doing a lot of things right, but sometimes being told what you’re doing right isn’t the most helpful thing.




>> With a standing model, I try to avoid cropping anywhere below the knees except at mid-thigh (either ¾-length or, if not cropped there, full length).

This should be:

With a standing model, I try to avoid cropping anywhere below the *waist* except at mid-thigh (either ¾-length or, if not cropped there, full length).

Everyone knows that the thighs are above the knees - except maybe at 5am.

Wow, this has been great, thank you very much for taking the time to comment. Please keep them coming.