Trying To Go Pro

[miyukisarah]

I have a friend named Jobob Taeleifi. He has currently been signed onto a modeling company and they attempted to start building up his portfolio over the winter break but he didn't like any of the shots they did. So he asked me to do it. I have a series of photos (and more that I will be shooting soon) that I will be posting on here daily asking for critique and feed back. Please be as brutal as possible. If his modeling company likes it I'll be making some cash and possibly be able to start giving some credit to my name. So here it is!

Please critique: Composition, color, subject (thinking along the lines of modeling for clothes), contrast. Feel free to comment on anything else that comes to mind.


For a larger view: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/...6a3a9705_b.jpg

Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T1i
Exposure: 1/250
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 34 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Flash: On
File Size: 5.3 MB
File Type: JPEG
Backdrop: Black bed sheet
Editing: Auto Tone
Model: Jobob Taeleifi

[cziz]

Hello and welcome to DPS!

I like the composition and color for an art photo. In my opinion if I was a model and wanted shots to sell me I would want to show attributes that no other model has, so I get the job over them. A mannequin could have been your subject for this particular picture. I would definitely show a face and hair or other body part that the model wants to "sell" to clients. Otherwise I think it's a nice photo. If $$ allows it try to get your flash off camera to add some dimension to the photo. I think that the lighting could have made the folds in his shirt stand out way more than straight flash.

Looking forward to seeing more pics!

[konrad]

Hi!

Depending how 'professional' that modeling company is, you must remember that being a photographer for clothing is quite challenging, especially if that will be your first time. Getting to the photo critique, I will be honest with you, which might look quite brutal that is not my intention . The picture unfortunately in my opinion is not usable for a portfolio for a model and not as a sample for clothing industry. Let me try to break down my comments:
- nice thing is that you made background black - it allows eyes to focus on the central part here
- for portfolio, model's face and the whole body has to be visible - modeling companies concentrate usually on the following features: face (especially: cheek bones, eyebrows, chin and facial hair for men); body shape, height, leg shape - all these need to be highlighted in a model's portfolio (not necessarily on one picture)
- I don't understand (and there is a good chance that modeling industry also won't) why model's hands are positioned as they are - it looks like he's scratching himself with his right arm; in addition, if that was clothing picture, it should also clearly show how cloth 'lays' on a body; the position of the hands doesn't enable this
- for taking or 'making' if you will, pictures for portfolio, post-processing is quite important; I would smoothen the skin, try to get rid of veins on the arms and black spots (for example there are black spots on his right arm - the one that is closer to his face); the same should be done with the fist-bones - all that can be done in all three ways: make-up, proper lighting, post-processing - all that combined;
- as someone mentioned above - I would also use at least 2 light sources - you might want to try butterfly effect - it's quite simple to apply and gives nice results

That's all I can think for now - I hope it helps, at least to certain extent. I would love to see more results and more pics from you; there is a good chance I will miss them here on forum, so if you want, feel free to send me an email: konrad@photo-folio.net

[zona5101]

direct flash will never be your friend.

[miyukisarah]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I will be sure to keep all of that in mind with my next shoot. Also I think it was misunderstood when I said I used flash. I didn't use the flash on my camera, I have a separate flash.

[Sterling]

I didn't use the flash on my camera, I have a separate flash.

But it still sits on top of your camera in direct line with your lens. That's the problem. Direct flash produces very flat lighting with very little modeling of the subject.

[miyukisarah]

So until I get more shots to show for my modeling friend here is another one. This is my guitar teacher's daughter and while at a playground one day I shot at her like crazy. She's so alive. I decided to make the picture a B&W. I also messed around with the levels a little for more contrast. Critique on contrast, composition and whatever else comes to mind. Also same as before, please be as brutal as possible. Thanks!


Larger view: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/...3f95785c_b.jpg

Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T1i
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 3200
Exposure Bias: +2 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[amymnc]

First, get that camera off of all auto settings if you haven't already! You really need to be shooting in manual and getting fairly consistent exposures if you're gonna consider going pro. If this was at an outdoor park, I'm wondering why the ISO was 3200. My camera will ruin shots at that high of an ISO...gives me tons of noise. Another reason for getting off auto. You wanna tell the camera what to do, not let it choose for you. As smart as they are, many times our cameras get it wrong.
Is there a specific area of critique you are looking for? Thanks for sharing!

[miyukisarah]

My camera is always on manual. The ISO was so high because it was around 5pm and getting dark where we were.

[amymnc]

I wish mine would behave at that high of an ISO!