The side lighting on the hair (and its frizzyness) is causing some "distraction" to someone used to seeing "beauty" type shots.
Simple Suggestion: take some hairspray with you next time and give her head a shot and pat down the flyaway hairs. OR....don't let the light come from behind or side as shown.
I like the "unmanaged and frizzy" hair. But, that is my personal likes. Most of the time, however, the parents of the seniors I shoot don't like the messy hair....thus, the sales suffer.
Otherwise, nice light, nice color, nice composition....and really attractive subject with a good smile. Great shot!!!!
Appreciate the responses.
This was a free practice shoot for me, no worries on the sales.
It was quite a windy day as I recall.
I actually prefer the hair a bit messed up..but I know what you are talking about with the parents and the messy hair haha.
I think it's beautiful and so is she. I would have turned her face so her eyes were illuminated by the sun though or maybe even find an area without any direct sunlight hitting any part of her head.
At first I was like, "yeah right, of course everyone will say their senior is pretty", but then I clicked the link, and was like, "whoa, he was right..."
Anyways, she is pretty, and I really like the lighting you did here. Is it sunlight from the right, and a softbox or something from the left?
nice lighting and pretty girl.. i use the spot healing brush on hair like hers as well to smooth out the face. i also dodge and burn in various areas to further smooth... very nice warm glow to this and i like the skin tone warmth.thanks for letting me comment.
The issue of hair, especially in senior pictures, drives me crazy. If I had my way every hair would be in place (and I'd PS out the strays). However, the kids seem to like the unkempt look -- so whom do you please? Usually it's the parents who are paying, right? Well, what about when Mamma is at the shoot, and Mamma fusses with the hair, and THEN complains later? Argh.
You shot this well, it's lit very interestingly, and this girl's hair is not so unkempt as to be distracting, at least in my opinion. That's partly because of your work and partly because she's very pretty.
Very Nice work. Please let me know what you used for lighting and what lens. The balance from the backgroung is awesome. She is really beautiful! Good work.
Appreciate the comments..
These are with the d300 and a 36" softbox with sb800. 70-200 f2.8r lens
Jackie is a very pretty girl and we had a good time at the shoot.
A couple more..
Just being picky here, but there seems to be some sort added noise that don't fit with the rest. Caught my attention on the very last picture you posted on the right corner of her mouth. It might be your skin PP? Can't put my finger on it.
Those eyes though... very nice set and very pretty girl!