First "Shoot" with a "model"

[TylerF]

So, I convinced my buddys friend to let me take a few shots today for a little practice for a senior shoot i have on saturday. it was really windy out and cold lol. c&c would be greatly appreciated

this one was for fun

 

[P3 Photography]

I like 2 & 3 the light on her face is nice.

 

[TylerF]

thank you. it was tough due to the wind and for some reason, 4 of our friends showed up randomly which was a distraction lol. I hope my shoot on saturday goes well. I think I'm stressing more than she is haha

 

[Dominantly]

I like 1, 2, & 3.

Like mentioned, the light is good and the focus is right on.

 

[TylerF]

whew, this is making me feel a little better. thank you! anything i should work on? i have looked at posing charts and stuff but feel awkward telling them what to do haha

 

[reznap]

I can't really offer you much critique but I really like the way #2 came out BUT.. I think you should fill more of the frame with her, less with the surroundings. Unless you're shooting against a really beautiful landscape like a rocky beach with lighthouse or something..

Don't be afraid to position (or tell them how to stand) your victim either, keep their shoulders back, etc. The poses in 2 and 3 work nicely. Lighting and pose-wise, #2 is the most flattering for her I think.

 

[JasonLambert]

I like #4 the best. Just watch your model, her pant leg is raised up and showing the skin. ... #5 is a little over exposed in spots (chest and right hand) and under in others (left hand and right side of face). Some lighting would have made this not only a nice photo but a nice idea. I like #2 over #3... #3 DOF isn't as nice as #2 and her shirt is a little distracting at the bottom. #1 I like a lot... Would like the eyes to pop a bit more but pleasing too the eye. I like the way your subject is framed in all of them (other than #3). Over all... Nice job.

 

[Paige_B]

To me the shots look pretty great, i just keep finding my eyes draw to her beaded necklace on all the shots, by far the last one is my fav just needs more lighting

 

[TylerF]

thank you everyone! me and her aren't the greatest friends and she was kinda "this is weird" about the whole thing. the girl on sat is a pretty good friend so im looking forward to it. she is excited as well. and i will have more time with her and it will be more relaxed i have a sb600, umbrella, and reflector to work with. how im going to do it all by myself is another thing haha.

i think based on the feedback so far, since i havent gotten a "THESE SUCK" yet, i am feeling better about the upcoming shoot.

edit- 5 is lit weird cuz i think my friend moved the reflector lol. it was a last minute "get me in that tree" thing haha

 

[Dominantly]

I feel awkward with telling people how to pose as well. I guess it's something you just get use to over time.

For things to work on, do you have any strobes? I would think off camera lighting would be your next move for more professional pics.

 

[TylerF]

my light was off camera lol. i had my sb600 in a shoot through umbrella. it did make a big difference, but the off camera flash thing is new to me lol

 

[TylerF]

heres another lol

 

[Dominantly]

Ah well I that explains the quality of the light
I read the exif data and saw that the flash didn't fire, so I thought you had pulled it off on natural light (except for the tree one which looked PS'd).

 

[TylerF]

ohhh so it really isnt that good since i used a flash? lol.

the tree one isnt photoshopped, but i can see how it looks it haha.

here's one of the first shots taken. no lighting or anything. sorry for the rotation, but you get the point lol

 

[Dominantly]

I didn't say that, it's obviously superior to your strobe free shot.
When I was talking about using strobes to create a more "pro" look, I was thinking something along these lines:
Overpowering the Sun for a Dramatic Effect: Photography tips for all levels of photographer