Critique Me Please!

[Nikita007]

This is one of my first portrait shoots for this little girls Quincinera. I have a question about the dark shadows under her eyes. Almost all of the pictures have this. Was this something that I could have helped or was it her bone structure? Please help me with an honest critique of the photograph.

Thanks

 

[Remi M.]

The composition is great. But the dress is overblown. You should tone it down. And/or go to black and white. White is not as powerfull in black and white as it is in color.

 

[mentos_007]

because the dress is blown out I'd crop the bottom.... up to the first (from the bottom) dark/shadowy horizontal line on the ground. And with eyes.. you might have used fill flash but it may have overexposed the dress even more...

 

[SleepingWolf]

same as above...try to burn some of the hot spots...a vignette might be interesting. as for the eyes, dodge them.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

You should shoot when the sun is starting to set. Probably around 6-8 o'clock in the evening, that way, there would be a nice orangish glow and if you point her towards the light, than the sun will be filling in the eye sockets. If you have a reflector (preferred) or wireless speedlight, than what you can do is put either of them behind her where the shadows are cast from the sun to fill that in so you don't have too harsh of shadows. Thus, you should have a technically good shot as long as your composition is good like the shot above.

 

[Nikita007]

Thank you everyone for your insightful thoughts. I appreciate those of you that took the time to write me back. It really helps.