First shoot with a model

[spcandrew]

Hi,

This is a photo from my first shoot using 1) a model; and 2) flash lighting. I've been shooting with a DSLR for about 2 months and been primarily practicing doing nature/landscape. I'm looking for any comments regarding anything from the overall quality of the photo, composition, lighting, model posing, etc. In particular, if someone paid me to take this photo of them, would they be happy with it? One thing I'll self-note is that the shadows are just a touch more heavy on the model's right side of her face than I would have liked, but the person who was suppose to show up to help with lighting didn't show.

The only Photoshopping done was +8 to Saturation and a small adjustment to the exposure level. Otherwise, this photo is as it was shot. I'm leery of heavily processing photos, since I think many times that's done to cover up problems with a technically poor exposure.

Camera was a Canon 7D, Canon 24-105mm L lens, f/4.5, 45mm, ISO 100, shot in RAW. Flash of a 430EX w/a 20" softbox mounted on a light stand.

[daddyoproductions]

Yes, you don't want to rely on PP to make a good photo, but most shots OOC need a little something, at least sharpening or levels or whatever. Her skin colour is off...not sure how it ended up that colour, but I'd try to fix that first.
~C

[spcandrew]

Can you be more specific? Does her skin look too red, too brown, etc.? Thanks!

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by daddyoproductions

Yes, you don't want to rely on PP to make a good photo, but most shots OOC need a little something, at least sharpening or levels or whatever. Her skin colour is off...not sure how it ended up that colour, but I'd try to fix that first.
~C

I don't see too much wrong with her skin color but the OP did increase the saturation by +8 according to their post. If that isn't the case then her skin might have picked up some color from the steel beam(s).

The model is pretty. I think I would've moved the light a little more to her front or put a reflector up to camera left/her right to soften the shadows a bit. The pose is ok. It would work in some clothing advertisements if you cropped the pic a little bit. I like the fact she isn't staring straight into the camera too. That gives it a sense that something is off camera that she's interested in.

[CheaperKings]

The only thing I would add to what's already been said is; I think I would have lowered my flash power a stop or two. Looks, to me, like it hit her a little hard. But, that could just be my laptop monitor, too.