Past Portraits - C&C

[PasqualettoM]

These images are from a session I did for my aunt a few years back (August 2011). While I like them, I don't find I love them. I am eager to see what suggestions or changes would be provided.

My cousin's daughter, the subject of the images wasn't the most pleased model that day so we worked with what we could. 2 Images DO have lens flare, which should have been accounted for and avoided. They made it past post because I feel it does give a nice effect although not one I would have intentionally went for.

Please be as critical as possible with these images as I truly am seeking honest feedback.

*Puts on thick skin in advance*

 

[Derrel]

Shot #1, the peeking from behind a tree pose: has too much background stuff on the right hand side of the frame and would be improved by cropping off some of the grasses on the right. Pose #2, picking grass...maybe too much top space, not enough space below her. Last shot, pose and expression are good. Maybe clone in an eye catchlight on the eye that lacks one, for more symmetry. Overall, these are a bit low in contrast, a bit lacking in color saturation as well!

RE: lens flare: I think you could emphasize the flare, play it up, by making the shots darker, and allowing the flared areas to show, to be lighter. Emphasizing flare can be done by making the shadows and mid-tones richer, darker, more contrasty, and allowing the flare circle to stand out more. This level of flare is not "all that bad" really, so it will not be possible to make it look really,really flarey, but you could boost the flare effect somewhat.

 

[PasqualettoM]

Shot #1, the peeking from behind a tree pose: has too much background stuff on the right hand side of the frame and would be improved by cropping off some of the grasses on the right. Pose #2, picking grass...maybe too much top space, not enough space below her. Last shot, pose and expression are good. Maybe clone in an eye catchlight on the eye that lacks one, for more symmetry. Overall, these are a bit low in contrast, a bit lacking in color saturation as well!

RE: lens flare: I think you could emphasize the flare, play it up, by making the shots darker, and allowing the flared areas to show, to be lighter. Emphasizing flare can be done by making the shadows and mid-tones richer, darker, more contrasty, and allowing the flare circle to stand out more. This level of flare is not "all that bad" really, so it will not be possible to make it look really,really flarey, but you could boost the flare effect somewhat.

Thanks Derrel!
These images were from back when I first started out and wanted to see what peoples thoughts would be, at some point soon I will be posting newer works soon for C&C which will give some insight to progress since then.

And I am not surprised, your comments opened my mind to some very good thoughts on things which would be best served changed with the framing. I have spent the last week reading virtually all threads dating back to ~June 2015 and have seen many of your replies and learned many a valuable lesson from a number of folks who are actively providing feedback and support to those of us asking questions.

I also appreciate the thought on how the lens flare could be enhanced to make it play into the image.