Truck

I've only been doing photography for about 9 or 10 months and i've just

been messing around with editing lol so tell me what you think!

please only helpful and true things please.

I think it's a fun angle and interesting scenery and your idea for the shot was good. I would have framed the sun out of the shot and composed her face in the upper right for a more even balance. Unfortunately her skin has been blown by the flash so the planes in her face are lost and her chest ends up looking like a big bright flat space. The flash from strait on also creates really hard shadows, you can see them under her chin and nose. A flash diffuser can help soften the light, or an indirect light source like a reflector or even bumping the flash off something close (i.e. the wall of a building, ect) with give more depth to her skin and softer, more complementary shadows. Sometimes, when all I have to use is the on  camera flash, I put a tissue or something over the flash so it doesnt blow everything out. I personally like the lens flare when the sun is directly in a shot and I think you've got the right idea. I'd say go out there again when you can, try this shot with several different compositions, dial down the flash, try it with only a reflector, vary the depth of field, do a lot of things different and see how they affect the look of the shot.

Hope that helps some, I know it was crititques like this that went miles to helping me improve. Good luck with future shots!

All the best!~

Warm regards Jacob!

PDE

I agree with Nicole, this is an excelent shot that simply require fine tuning.

Great colors and the Lens flare nicly done.

I think Nicole summed it up perfectly.   The staging is very nice and well thought out.  I'll focus on your composition... It's important to consider all aspects of a portrait like this, especially when you've chosen to have a strong set element like the truck that will remain in sharp focus.  I am really drawn to the chrome badge that appears to be sticking out of the right side of her head (your watermark draws attention to that area, as well), her right hand is a bit too close to the edge of the frame, the prominent blown sky in the upper right is a little overpowering, and you're a little too straight-on which, combined with the lighting issues Nicole mentioned, tends to hide the feminine contours and makes her look square-ish and blocky.  I'm not a fan of aftermarket lens flare but accept that it's an artistic decision.  In this case, it doesn't really bother me.

Moving a little to the right could have eliminated most, if not all, of these issues with the added benefit of including more of that rusty green truck that is barely visible in the upper left corner which teases me so.

I know I listed a lot of things but my overall opinion is that this is a very good, creative photograph and my recommendations are just ideas for possible improvement and things to think about for next time.

Oops!  I forgot to expand on the topic of fill-flash.  Fill-flash is precisely that, it's used to fill in areas where natural light doesn't.  It shouldn't appear to be the primary light source for your subject which, in this case, it does.  In addition to the suggestions made by Nicole, you could also try reducing your FEC (flash exposure compensation).  This will reduce the output of your flash meaning that your subject will be lit primarily by available light while your flash fills in the rest.

I agree with the others here, but I will also add that it's not always necessary to plan every shot in every details. I usually carry my camera around, and when I see something interesting or get an idea, I shoot a bit wider than necessary, then I crop later on the PC. Often I discover surprises in the shots after I've taken them. Your shot here is filled with youth and joy, I think it's a splendid shot despite some not optimal flash technique. It's a very happy shot!