Frist time model works with first time portrait photographer

Could anyone give me some advise on how to improve this shot?

the shot is great - unfortunately the soft focus also includes her face. while it is more in focus than the intentionally blurred butt/legs/background, i feel the image would be stronger if her face was sharp. good lighting, though her right eye (our left) seems a bit tweaked from the shadow. keep it up. looks like you have a cooperative model to work with.

(i'm no expert, so take my comments with a grain of salt - i just try to observe and give feedback)

It would have helped a lot if the background had been only blue sky; these vague buildings distract and since their tone is similar to that of the model she isn't 'seperated' enough from the background.

Also sharpness is not optimal, you could consider doing that with the software you have.

On a more positive note: I like the tonal range of the photo and...she's a pretty model :)

That's right - no focus on the face. You don't need the tripod for this photo (at this light and this camera). It will be better with another lens - 80-120 mm. The girl is pretty. Shoot her again.

It has been pointed out already, but the posted image seems to be slightly out of focus. I would say that the first thing that makes a portrait go in the trash are unfocused eyes. The eyes has to be in the sharpest focus possible. If I were shooting this shot I might get a gold reflector and light up the right side of her face. The left side is very warm while the right side is hiding. Otherwise everything seems to be good.

I must agree with all here...It might have been a good shot...

Just one more thought to watch for next time. I think the hair should be a little less wind blown. But who am I to judge! Nice shot.

Crop the right to the model's shoulder --eliminates distracting background. I assume the OOF issue is do to bad scan.

The models face, to me, is one of the most intriguing points of the photo. What is she thinking? She seems to have some motive thats unkown to the audience. Evertime I view this shot I am drawn to the eyes, which I dont think are out of focus. I think the wind blown hair is another highlight of the picture. If the hair wasnt in her face, it would be a normal old portrait. Fabel has a skill with portraits that I definitely dont possess and I have not seen in any other photographer

Well, I am the most unexperienced here, but for the first try this is VERY impressive! Take courage, man - I cannot find no problem even with the so much critiqued background. Perhaps the white color is the most distracting on the background. If there was was only blue sky, this image would be extremely boring. By cropping it something is lost, not gained. Hair flying around are wild, cool, free! That's excactly what makes this picture so great. You might try to use a sharpen mask on her face.

Good shot!

I, for one, do not think that the out-of-focus buildings in the background detract from this incredible portrait at all. Their shape mirrors the position of the model; their squares accentuate her curves. A blue sky would be boring. That said, a little more out of focus on the buildings might do better.

 

Congrats again,

Ari

Focus,too much saturation & grain(don't think you use a 'pro' film you won't get grain,i've had dreadful luck with kodak)If this is your first effort though,it's good!!

Just a hint....smiling is not a bad thing....yes she's got a hint of a smile but the angle of the shot reduces it.Don't ever fall into the trap of the modern fashion(?) photographer who continually throw images of plastic scowling beauties at us!!