out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

This is the third shoot I have done with this young lady and my third try at using live models. Its something that im trying to learn and get better at. The conditions today were cloudy and it started snowing on us on the way to the location. As usual she wanted to dress in all black which I try to convince her to wear some color but im just doing it for the practice.
The gear I was shooting with is a Canon 6D mark II paired with a Canon 50mm 1.8 STM lens. So a lens you can buy for 125.00 off Amazon. I did not use a speed light with these photos and for most of the photos they were shot in Aperture Priority at 1.8 and stepped down slightly to keep the whites from blowing out. Very little post processing was done in Light Room since they were originally shot in Raw. I did make some in B&W just for the look.
I am asking for every ones honest opinion about the photos included below. If you feel there is something I should have done differently then please tell me. If you feel the photos look like crap then say so and give me your reasoning. I am here to continue learning and get better with the help of you kind people. Oh and if you like the photos then let me know that as well, it never hurts.

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Pistnbroke Loc: UK

She needs to smile...Set camera to take at 2 fps and take 3 or 4 in a burst that way you wont have closed eyes. longer lens needed background distracting.

User ID

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Very awkward, both whole body
and facial expressions. Makes me
cringe just to look at. There is no
indication of comfortable working
rapport between the two parties
.... rather the opposite. IOW, the
working interaction seen here is
nothing to record and display. If
you can't get a more cooperative
subject then you're nowhere.

The poses are awful. No human
would ever normally assume the
postures and positions seen here.
They are so forced. They look to
be directed. If so, get different
reference material as a source.
Where have you EVER seen any
photos with such poses ... and if
you somehow saw such, did you
really see them worth emulating ?

Maybe look elsewhere than your
source of Glam or Beauty pix.
I'm posting a snapshot to help
you. THIS is one example of
how a normal human will very
naturally confront a camera or
a photographer. It's alive and
relaxed, not stiff and awkward.
Also posted is a "borrowed"
commercial photo clearly done
professionally. Compare that
pose to the snapshot. Point is
that a contrived shot can still
be lifelike ! Have a look:

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out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

I thank you for your reply and I do agree that the young lady looks very stiff. However she is no professional model but enjoys the free photos and the posing was what she chose and wanted. When your shooting street photography its easier to catch people in a more natural state. My main concern is the quality of the photos and use of the camera at this moment. You can have the best paid models but if you cant properly use the camera then its still crap.

User ID

Right you are ! Same concept as
my posting a casual snapshot for
you. Find your imagery in street
shots. And don't let your subject
rule the shots cuz her ideas suck.

Camera-use-wise, you rendered
her ideas perfectly well. So now
you need better ideas to render.
You state this is the THIRD time
around for her. Seems like after
3 sessions it's not too promising
as a working partnership ?

I've attach another snap for you.
Notice the sense of aliveness ? I
don't even know her ... IOW, no
promise of pictures for her, thus
she is not "posing for her [free]
portfolio shots". Maybe she was
enjoying my disrupting a rather
slow day in her shop ? Whatever
she's doing, she is NOT trying to
project some kinda cliche beauty
poses. She's of no mind to do so.
She knows it's "just a snapshot"
by a stranger. Maybe try getting
your subject to lighten up a bit ?

You camera work is fine. It's time
to work on your team work :-)

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Largobob

I tend to agree with all the comments given so far. I do understand that this model is "free," wanting to have her images taken, and generally setting her own poses. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for both of you.

Now, being totally honest: Your model is too brash....Unflattering red hair and lipstick...pock marked face...chunky build....and at least to me, generally unattractive. (Can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.)

You have included shots where her eyes are closed and a foot is cut off (#2); very unnatural poses; several taken in landscape format when portrait format would have been much better; inappropriate/cluttered background....and who takes portraits in a snow storm?

Sorry to be so blunt but you asked for feedback.

Shutterbug57

Nice setting and the shots show you know how to use the camera settings. Based on what you have stated, this model needs direction/training - give her some thoughts on how to pose. You could frame the shots a bit differently. The model seems to be in the middle of most of your shots - try moving her off center. Also, watch the hands and feet. If you are going to crop them off do it deliberately. #6 is the worst example of this, but I think #4 &#5 would be stronger cropped a bit to get the leg out and make the hand crop appear intentional. Moving closer in the field or cropping at bust level in post would solve this.

Finally, as you stated, these are clearly available light shots on a cloudy day (God’s big softbox). The model’s eyes are rather dark in most of the shots. If you have a speedlight, stand and a way of triggering it off camera, using that, even with just 1 light, will vastly improve these shots.

Brokenland

They say "the third time's a charm" in this case.. best go back to school..

tcthome Loc: NJ

I agree with the all above. If you wish to continue working with this model,( or any model ) start giving direction. Get her to try different poses & smile. Some skin retouch on the face in Photoshop wouldn't hurt either. There are probably some vids on you tube. Check out Daniel Norton from Adorama. He Has his own u-tube channel & a vid on working relations with models. ( I have not watched it so I can't comment on it.) Even if the vids no good , other related vids should pop up. There probably some books out there on posing models also. Look in magazines. Good luck & have fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFVgRQS4Fas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlGNDR-u0_o

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I like the falling snow.

CO

I agree with Shutterbug 57 above. Watch out where you crop the photos. You never want to crop at someone's joints. In photo #2, you cropped at her right ankle.

In some of the photos, her right arm is completely hidden. Do something to show that she has a right arm. She could bring her right arm across her front or bring her arm up so that her hand is touching her front. A pro portrait photographer told me about that once with one of my photos. In photo #8, her right hand could be on her right leg.

In many of the photos, a little fill flash would help as the area around her eyes is a little too dark. Just bring a speedlight and use around -2 flash compensation to add a little fill light.

Here are two books that are excellent for the type of photos you're doing. They both describe indoor and outdoor portrait photography:

Portrait Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Erik Valind
Master Posing Guide for Portrait Photographers by J.D. Wacker

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I think previous replies were accurate but a little harsh. Yes the posing and expression needs work but my main critique is the lighting. Although the bridge you chose is pretty cool the trees surrounding the area have created a top heavy situation. This is why her eyes have the “raccoon” look. It appears the light is stronger in the background. You may have been able to turn her in the opposite direction in order to force the brighter light into her eyes. As-is the face is looking into the shadows with the majority of the light coming from above. Another option is a high camera angle which would force her to look up into the skylight. Adding a soft box or umbrella would help but would likely look artificial here. The snowy day adds interest but I’ll bet the light there is more interesting and supportive on a sunny day. Try again and work that expression!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'm going to say...no..not good. And way to many things wrong to spend time listing them.

I'd summarize my comments this way; go to Creativelive.com and get the course from Roberto Valenzuela called "Location, Posing, Execution!"

It will fix every problem you have and some you might do in the future. It's worth 10 times it's price.

I've watched every video multiple times and all with my mouth hanging wide open at his genius.

https://www.creativelive.com/class/location-posing-execution-roberto-valenzuela


This link is just a taste of what it's like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r13XGAnGSD0

Radioactive Loc: Bellingham

Very nice setting. Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham, WA.
Bill

jim quist Loc: Missouri

Check out some of these books
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/photography+jeff+smith?_requestid=1489081