From my first session, I need comments, please

[tanigie]

Recently I have made my first photo session with a girl model. Here is a sample which I like probably best. Please, I need opinions. It has been pretty diffucult, I wasn't really ready for this session... I suppose, there are too many things to correct...
Thanks in advance, pals!

PalacioDetras1.jpg

Camera Model: NIKON D70
Exposure Time: 1/160 sec.
Flash Fired: Flash did not fire
Metering Mode: Pattern
Exposure Program: Not defined
Focal Length: 70.0 mm
Software: Ver.2.00

[graciousness]

As per the critique forum rule, would you please kindly include the EXIF data with this photo so that we can help you better? It will help us see what settings you used then advice from there.

Cheers,

Grace

[tanigie]

I have added the missing data. Sorry to have missed it, I am actually very young as a photographer...

Thank you, Grace.

Originally Posted by graciousness

As per the critique forum rule, would you please kindly include the EXIF data with this photo so that we can help you better? It will help us see what settings you used then advice from there.

Cheers,

Grace

[homank76]

First thing, you shot at the wrong time a day as the shadow is very harsh here. Possible fixes, get a reflector, shoot in the shade, shoot right after sunrise or before sunset or shoot when its cloudy.

Second, you cutoff right at the ankles, there is an unwritten rule of cutting off at joints, the best thing would be to cut-off at mid calf.

Third, the eye's are not sharp at all: the best thing to do is shoot with a single point focus and concentrate on the eyes.

Forth, way to centered with to much dead space around her, Nothing else in the picture adds to it.

Fifth with portraits don't forget to try to shoot in the vertical position.

[Madog]

Agree with homank. What was your aperture and iso?

[tanigie]

Thank you, homank,

First, second (which was new for me) and the third are accepted as-is. I have a question over fourth. In case that all that I wanted was to center on her, wasn't that kind of background the most appropiate? How could I make a grayish background look interesting?
As of fifth, with the second session I have with this girl, I definitely will not forget to try the both orientations.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by homank76

First thing, you shot at the wrong time a day as the shadow is very harsh here. Possible fixes, get a reflector, shoot in the shade, shoot right after sunrise or before sunset or shoot when its cloudy.

Second, you cutoff right at the ankles, there is an unwritten rule of cutting off at joints, the best thing would be to cut-off at mid calf.

Third, the eye's are not sharp at all: the best thing to do is shoot with a single point focus and concentrate on the eyes.

Forth, way to centered with to much dead space around her, Nothing else in the picture adds to it.

Fifth with portraits don't forget to try to shoot in the vertical position.

[Liz Caldwell]

Aside from what's already been brought up, the color is very green... but that can be fixed in photoshop in a few moments. I would, however, recommend making sure your camera is set to daylight before the next shoot

All in all though, you did really good for a first shoot, keep it up, and thanks for sharing

[SGToliver]

Few things to be aware of next time you try this:

1. try to not have lines coming in or out of the persons head.

2. Personally, if I had sat her down in that location for a portrait I would have tried to leave out the object she was sitting on. This is not a general rule of thumb for me or anyone else but I find what she is sitting on there to not add much to the photo.