Shabby chic and sisters critiique

[beatniktwist]

#1 is from a shabby chic photo party I threw and one person showed up :er: Yay me:thumbup:. #2 is a quick shot I did of three sisters at a recent party I was at. I was prepared for #1 but not #2. What do you guys think of them? I'm just looking to get better.
#1 #2

 

[ronlane]

It looks to me like the first one has some blown out skin on forehead. I would bring down the exposure on it and see if you can bring back some of that detail in the skin. You do not have whether or not it's okay to edit your photos, so I didn't want to do that. May I ask what was your thought about shooting this one in landscape? The reason that I ask is that it wouldn't have cut her off mid-chest if you would have shot portrait.

The second look okay, but I'n not a fan of the white vingetting on it. It also appears a little bright to me as well. Cropping isn't too bad on this one, but some may say it is a little tight.

If you were going for the hi-key look then I'm not sure you are there with that. I'm not experienced enough to give you pointers on that process.