A few of my lovely daughter for some C&C

[sraab]

#1 #2#3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8
I don't know how to remove the attached thumbnail from the post so just ignore it thanks.

 

[ColeGauthier]

These would all benefit from full shaded areas and a small reflector. I would almost never shoot in full out sun like that, unless you are going for something very specific that requires really harsh shadows Not very flattering for this cutie!

 

[seakritter]

A fill in flash would have helped if you must shoot full sun it would relieve some of the shadows on her face.

"As I Wander"

 

[sraab]

I think a reflector is feasible for me but a fill in flash isnt i dont think... im using point and shoot and a low end slr and i dont think either of these allow for an external flash.... but maybe im wrong please help lol

 

[MLeeK]

Please post between 3 and 5 images at a time. It allows us to give you more targeted help. When there are more it just takes too much time and you don't get as much or as good as you will with just a few images.

They all have major lighting issues. When shooting in full sun you actually need to be using flash. These kind of look like they are shot in auto with no serious control over how the lighting works in the image.
You have chosen some cute poses but your composition-or lack of it is killing them. Best place to start is with the guidelines for good composition. You will see a HUGE transformation of your images if you just spend some serious time working with composition.

I assume you are transplanted to Fort Hood? We spent about 6 years there.

 

[sraab]

yes i am transplanted just got stationed here this year... and i appreciate the suggestions.... i have only been doing this for about a month or so. Ive got a long way to go

 

[MLeeK]

yes i am transplanted just got stationed here this year... and i appreciate the suggestions.... i have only been doing this for about a month or so. Ive got a long way to go

Take that link for composition and spend some serious time working with it.
As for the lighting problems you will invariably have there... Turn your flash on when you are really stuck in the harsh sun, but otherwise look for "open shade."
Open shade is like the back side of a building, under the car port... It can be trees, but much of what you'll get through all of that mesquite there is going to be mottled or spotty light and that will cause you problems. Learn to watch the light falling on your subject. Spots or part shade and a part out of the shade.
Shoot in the evening and not at the height of the day. The "Golden Hour" is the best for shooting when you are starting out.

Are you on post or is the waiting list still miles long there?

 

[seakritter]

I think a reflector is feasible for me but a fill in flash isnt i dont think... im using point and shoot and a low end slr and i dont think either of these allow for an external flash.... but maybe im wrong please help lol

Check your flash settings most point and shoot models allow for a viable flash mode, some may not call it a fill in flash. Good luck she is a lovely girl.

"As I Wander"

 

[sraab]

We do live on post the wait list when we got here was pretty long but we worked our way in since the wifey was pregnant.... since you spent so much time here got any places that you remember that were good for getting some good shots.... those pics in the op were taken on the road from hood to blora and they were just sorta a spur of the moment thing....

I am going to take a look at my nikon and see if i can figure out the flash settings....and im currently waiting on my Olympus to get shipped to me so i will get a chance to play with it when it gets here

 

[MLeeK]

There's pretty much NOTHING pretty there! Fort Hell On Earth. We HATED that place while we were there! LOL!
BLORA is the best thing Hood has going for it! Go the long way to BLORA-not across post. Head to Belton and out Main then take Sparta road. It's a nice ride. The dam and bridge across it are pretty cool.
Austin is amazing and if you are heading out the back road to go to Austin there is some nice greenery.
The cave at Innerspace Caverns in Georgetown is one of my favorite cave tours across the US.
Go up on the hill at night and shoot the lights across Killeen and Hood. Lightning too!
There's a cool little flea market when you head out of Killeen towards Temple. It's on the left hand side.
Waco has some more interest than the Killeen area. Temple & Belton are also definitely prettier.

I think when we got there the wait list was like 3 YEARS long. I think we got in within a year the first time. The second time we were coming from OCONUS so we went straight into housing. Renting there is a disgusting prospect!
I am coming back in May to shoot a wedding for a friend who lives in Austin.
Go TO AUSTIN! Do 6th street-everyone must and it's awesome. BUT the real beauty is out by Lake Travis and the lake bars/restaurants.
Go to a concert at the Backyard. It's the greatest concert venue EVER. It's a back yard! Tree covered and just awesome.

 

[Derrel]

SUPER-cute little girl! Tough, tough lighting at that time of day in that location...I think the most-successful pose is the one where she is smelling the flower. In THAT photo, the angle of the sun work pretty well...it's almost like studio flash fired from a crisp light source. A person CAN get some neat lighting effects by using DIRECT, morning or afternnon angled sunlight, but the position of the face and body must be just "so", in relation to the angle and height of the sun. The first, and last photos, for example, have unflattering sunlight angles FOR THE POSITIONING of the girl.