Christina

[JonathanSQ]

Well since I've introduced myself, I figure I would follow up with a few
pictures. This is my best friend, Christina. I love this girl like a sister
I'm still new to people photography, so go easy I've been reading up
on the tutorials here (including the 'Rules' by Benji) so hope to practice
with all the new information next time I get to see her.

C&C welcome and edits are allowed
More pictures can be found on my website (link in my profile).
Also note sometimes my images do not display due to hot linking protection.
I've added PhotoCamel.com to the accepted list but still fair to warn

[toto le robot]

not bad, first if it was me and I was still young I would not love her like a sister
that said, it seems that she is trying to hide some orthodonthy stuff in her mouth, she shouldn't, you will have more and better expression, and it's the privilege of youth to have those things.
in #1 the circular shape dictract as I'm asking myself what it is.
#2 is really good
#3,#4 the pose is not very flatering for her arms.
#3 the foot behind her should have been hidden by the body
you have a great model and some good potential, continue that way.

[DAVE PROUTY]

She's a pretty good look alike for Reese Witherspoon!

Ok! Let's get to the real nitty gritty of this stuff.

You need to have a specific direction fo light. All of these would benefit from a light pattern from a specific direction. They all have flat lighting. Use a reflector or an external soft light source to give some direction to the light.

I won't go into the techniques do do this. But know that the direction of light is important to bring out the feeling of depth for your portraiture. Your expressions are great, even considering the possibilty of the subject having braces.

Keep learning and shooting, and especially, keep postng your work!

[patterfr]

What I see in these, and I am admittedly trying to learn it all, is an "eye" for composition and catching personality, so any technical aspects of your photography will be improved by continuous posting and trying to internalize critiques. Keep it up. Good first post and looking forward to more.

[JonathanSQ]

Originally Posted by toto le robot

not bad, first if it was me and I was still young I would not love her like a sister
that said, it seems that she is trying to hide some orthodonthy stuff in her mouth, she shouldn't, you will have more and better expression, and it's the privilege of youth to have those things.
in #1 the circular shape dictract as I'm asking myself what it is.
#2 is really good
#3,#4 the pose is not very flatering for her arms.
#3 the foot behind her should have been hidden by the body
you have a great model and some good potential, continue that way.

She's dating a good friend of mine, so... eh No other way.

#1 was a clock (ended up accidentally cropping half in the picture so)
#3 I didn't notice the foot until too late (oops!)
How would I fix #3 and #4 so it is more flattering for her arms?
I'm still trying to store all the info from Benji's Portrait Rules post

Also I have a Strobist Kit on the way, should have everything by Friday.
Hopefully next Saturday when she comes up from Orlando, I can hang out
after work and shoot with the evening late If not, there's always Monday...

Thanks for the nice replies all

[harryd]

Welcome to the Camel, I will be looking forward to seeing what you can do with the Strobist Kit.

[k9ofkaos]

The second one is awesome.

I'd be sure and use her again and again as a model if she is agreeable. She shows great potential and will make your life easier.

[JonathanSQ]

She's just about always more than willing. She really loves having stuff done.
Her & her friends all call it 'pro' quality. Not sure I agree, but hey its flattering

Hopefully soon she'll get her new bikini and we can go out to the beach
I'll post a few more of her, her & boyfriend, and my coworker in a little bit.

[toto le robot]

Originally Posted by JonathanSQ

How would I fix #3 and #4 so it is more flattering for her arms?

by not putting the elbow in the front and changing focal to be further to have les distortion, with cloth and by not putting weight on her arms.

[JonathanSQ]

Thanks! I plan to get one of the following lenses (linked below) when those
$600 tax checks come in. Supposedly within the next few months...

So that'd help with having the zoom range and constant aperture.
I'd not have to back up so much (sometimes I cannot due to the local), etc.
But I will try that bit of advice + what I've been reading when I get my Strobist setup

Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 EX DG DF
28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di
Sigma 28-70mm F/2.8 EX DG

[toto le robot]

what your strobist set up consist in?

[JonathanSQ]

Originally Posted by toto le robot

what your strobist set up consist in?

Right now I only have a Canon 420EX on camera;
I ordered the Mpex.com SO2 Kit and will get it tomorrow.
The Vivitar 285HV was out of stock, so I will be ordering
from B&H on Wednesday and have it shipped 2nd Day Air.

So as of Friday it will be...

• Canon 420EX on camera
• Vivitar 285HV off camera
• 8ft Air cushioned light stand
• Fotodiox optical hotshoe slave
• Westcott 43" compact umbrella (Silver)
• Rosco pro color correction gel pack
• DIY grid, barndoor, and snoot kit
• CTA Ni-MH batteries (4) with rapid charger
• Bongo elastic ties (10 pack)
• Umbrella swivel
• Nano gaffer tape (1" x 8 yrds roll)

I want to get either a LumiQuest Mini Softbox or a LumiQuest ProMax 80/20 Kit for the 420EX
But either LumiQuest product (or similar) that I get will have to wait until
the 14th, at the soonest, of next month. Hate paying bills but its a must

[toto le robot]

I recommend you this much more versatile and better quality of light.
Pro Packs
I have one and it's really cool, I just add survival blancket to gain efficienty in the reflection of the boxes. if you take the pack plus you have two adapters so you can use part on different strobe, but they have to be the same model.

[One on one]

You are very fortunate to have a willing attractive model to work with. Here’s some suggestions to improve your images.

#1 is a nice fun shot, background isn’t distracting at all. On the next shots, watch your backgrounds. #2 has the bright white areas showing through that take away from the photo. It appears that she is in deep shade cover by the flat direction of light on her face. As was suggested, adding light with strobe or using a reflector to bring in some light would help. It will also darken the background further. #3 has a similar problem with the sunlight that’s peeking through the leaves on the trees and illuminating the grass. Your goal should be for the background to have a uniform tone to it without any bright areas. Also the bright lighting has her squinting. #4 would have been improved by backing up and using a longer lens. It would have kept her arms and knees from looking unusually large, compared to her face. I’m assuming on camera flash on this photo, by the heavy shadows and flat highlights on her knees. A large reflector from an angle would have been more natural looking. Much more lady like to not shoot into an open crotch,

Now take some or all of the suggestions in this thread and see what you can come up with. Don’t be discouraged, most of us started this way.

[KellyL]

Johnathan, I really can't add to what has been stated. You have a great start. I love number 2, but yes, it needs some directional lighting.

[JonathanSQ]

Thanks guys One on one, thanks for those pointers. I'm in the middle of trying to talk
her into coming up from Orlando on Saturday when I get off work early in the afternoon.

I'm thinking evening light + my new gear would allow for some experimenting and maybe
a keeper or two. She's very happy. She's not a model or anything but we're basically
going off a TFP/TFCD type of agreement. Her mom actually usually finds one way or
another to stuff some $$ down my throat. So I'm making out like a fat rat, really

Any suggestions on how to setup my single light for the first time?
I'm going to be using a Canon 420EX on my camera to fire the Vivitar...
Plan to use like a flash exposure of -3 so its not too much front light...