Diagonal Light

I haven't been shooting with models and lights for long, so I may have

missed things I should have paid attention to. For you folks who are

very experienced with this kind of photography, please make

suggestions and comments on how this could have been better done.

As with the previous image in this shoot, the side lighting is very very harsh and is (in my opinion) ruining this image. The cheeks are blown out and the harsh contract between the left and right side of her face is too much. Try diffusing the light, they reflecting some of the light onto the dark side of her face, try to create a more balanced tonality.

The shadows and highlights elsewhere, particularly her breasts and cleavage work well, but most people will look straight at her face.

MAC

Chuck,

I have to agree with Colin. The highlights on her face are too hot. The direction of the main light is very good. You just have to watch the highlights.

It looks a little too posed. Her right hand looks especially unnatural. Also, I think she is leaning back a tad too far.

You have lost just a bit of detail in your dark areas. Dark clothing against a dark background can cause some problems. You actually have separated her from this background quite well. I just would like to see a little more detail in her clothes -- especially in her stockings.

If not making eye contact with the camera (viewer), the eyes should follow the line of the nose. It is natural to look where your head is pointing. If looking off to the side you should show what she is looking at or provide a reason that she is not looking where her head is pointing.

I think you could have moved (zoomed) in a bit more. There could be less room on the top and bottom.

I'm not sure I care for the vertical lines on the chair contrasting with the horizontal lines on the window and baseboard.

You have very good focus on her eyes and her skin tone is excellent. I am not too sure about her expression. It looks a bit odd to me? I can't tell if she is looking at something humorous or not. It almost looks like she is questioning something? Her make-up and nails look good from this distance. I would keep working with this girl if you feel comfortable around her and she is willing. The more you work with her and critique yourself the better your images will be. Ask her what she feels about the images, too. What would she like to see you do differently to make her look better. Sometimes it helps to have input from your models.

She is a pretty girl. Just have her look more natural -- not quite so stiff and posed.

Good job,

Mark