New here, not new to photography. First model shoot.

[hahaOHmichael]

Hey guys, just wanted to stop by and share some shots from my first model shoot. I purposely went heavy with the post processing, but overall she loved them. They were shot with a Canon 550d using a Canon 10-22 f/3.5, Canon 28-135 f/3.5 and Canon 50mm f/1.8. We only had one day to shoot and the lighting was super harsh but let me know what you think! And all criticism is appreciated :thumbup:

1

Nicolette by ma|photography, on Flickr

2

Nicolette by ma|photography, on Flickr

3

Nicolette by ma|photography, on Flickr

4

Nicolette by ma|photography, on Flickr

5

Nicolette by ma|photography, on Flickr

 

[bennielou]

The girl is beautiful and I don't mind the post, but the light is not great here.

 

[CCericola]

Yeah the lighting is not working. Her posing seems a bit awkward like she doesn't know what she's doing.

 

[bennielou]

I actually don't mind the posing except for number 4. That one looks like you caught her at a bad time. It's the lighting that I'm not in love with.

 

[Forkie]

There's a lot of contrast in these - I can't see much, if any, detail in the dress. Contrary to Bennielou, I actually like #4 the most! I like the patterned background and position of the girl in the frame.

 

[hahaOHmichael]

Yeah the lighting is not working. Her posing seems a bit awkward like she doesn't know what she's doing.

I think she's a wonderful model. She's based out of Los Angeles and has gotten into some pretty big product shoots over there. No remote flashes were used, so all I had to work with was the super bright natural light that day.

 

[bennielou]

Yeah the lighting is not working. Her posing seems a bit awkward like she doesn't know what she's doing.

I think she's a wonderful model. She's based out of Los Angeles and has gotten into some pretty big product shoots over there. No remote flashes were used, so all I had to work with was the super bright natural light that day.

Well I would suggested using more light.

 

[bennielou]

Forkie, I just don't like the hands here. The contrast and background I love. It's the "almost" shot to me. I just think it could have been super great.

 

[hahaOHmichael]

Well I would suggested using more light.

Using more light as in lighting up the model better?

 

[bennielou]

Yes. If you are going to pose someone at mid day, in the sun, you need to give them some fill because the sun is going to (and has) caused all sorts of nasty shadows that hurt what could be really sweet shots.
Two things you can do:
Use the right lighting. I use Elinchrome, but any kind off off camera will work pretty much as well. Or get really close and use your on camera flash to try to flash the crap out of them. Or use a reflector off camera.

Now, when you don't get the light right, there are other options.....you can paint light in after the fact using Ying/Yang (Boutwells) or a light dodge and burn. These are really close to being really great. They just need more/better light.

And I'd also suggest a power crop on a few.

 

[hahaOHmichael]

I tried my best to brighten up her skin tone with making her body a separate layer and adjusting the levels and curves so that it could look as natural as possible. But I see what your saying about the shadows and over contrast. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[manaheim]

Honestly?

Unattractive uninteresting scene that doesn't contribute anything of value to the shot.

Poor lighting on the model (either too much or not enough, depending on the shot)

Awkward poses.

Not enough focus on the model... too much of the picture is the scene (and as I said the scene isn't helping any)

ymmv.

 

[Studio7Four]

I really like the last two...the first three not so much. The lighting conditions were unfortunate and don't need to be rehashed. In the first three the poses look forced and the backgrounds add nothing to the shot. I like the composition and processing of the last two. Yes, you could quibble about missing some detail on the model, between blown highlights and flat shadows, but if you look at these as scenes telling a story and not just as model shots they work (at least for me). The thing that bugs me about #4 is her arm positions - there's no need to have her right arm and her left forearm unsupported like that. If they were both back against the wall the pose would look much more relaxed and natural. (I'd also rotate #4 a tad CCW, just to make the stripes at the top horizontal.)

By the way, I took a peak at the rest of the shots in your Flickr stream. I really like the B&W with her up against the wood wall (just too bad her foot got cut off).

 

[ghache]

Everything has been said, i like the last one.

i went on your flickr and IMO you didnt post the best one of the serie.

Nicolette | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Robin Usagani]

I would have done the same thing on 1,2,3 but I would have used flash and lower the exposure a bit so the ground is not as bright and the flash will lit up your subject. #4 and #5 the sun is just too harsh to be put in front of your subject. Racoon eyes.