The first one's a bit too warm for my taste, and the second one's a bit too cool, oddly enough. However, it depends on the look you were trying to achieve, not on my tastes.
My comments or suggestions below are not a criticism of you, your model, your talent or skill. I offer them in a friendly tone of voice and with the sole intent to help you with a second POV and set of eyes. If you read sincere questions and simple suggestions as "criticism" of you, then you will miss how I am trying to help you.
You asked if the image is "too warm."
Answer: That depends.
To make it easier for someone to help you, do the following:
1. Describe the light sources used in each shot or the shot in question (if only one). Also include any modifier such as a colored gel if used.
2. Describe the WB setting you used on your camera
3. Describe if you did any modifications to the image (e.g. toning or adding a filter in PP).
4. Describe the purpose of the image (e.g. for a "face" shot for makeup ad, or a snapshot or portrait for a personal gift, something to commemorate a moment and just used for a family album, or for a "garment/fashion" shot). In short, how is the image to be used and in what "context?" What is the "intent" of the image? This matters because what is "too warm" for one purpose may be "just right" for another purpose.
She has an inherent look of challenge that I'm not confortable with. The faintest hint of a smile would help a lot. Also, I would insist on pencilling in her eyebrows. Personal taste, perhaps, but I think it would be more flattering with those wide open eyes.
My comments or suggestions below are not a criticism of you, your model, your talent or skill. I offer them in a friendly tone of voice and with the sole intent to help you with a second POV and set of eyes. If you read sincere questions and simple suggestions as "criticism" of you, then you will miss how I am trying to help you.
You asked if the image is "too warm."
Answer: That depends.
To make it easier for someone to help you, do the following:
1. Describe the light sources used in each shot or the shot in question (if only one). Also include any modifier such as a colored gel if used.
2. Describe the WB setting you used on your camera
3. Describe if you did any modifications to the image (e.g. toning or adding a filter in PP).
4. Describe the purpose of the image (e.g. for a "face" shot for makeup ad, or a snapshot or portrait for a personal gift, something to commemorate a moment and just used for a family album, or for a "garment/fashion" shot). In short, how is the image to be used and in what "context?" What is the "intent" of the image? This matters because what is "too warm" for one purpose may be "just right" for another purpose. ...Show more →
Thanks far all your input steady...im always amazed at the time you take to help out other photographers...esp.amateurs like myself
Lighting in first one-really the one in question- was a fire to camera right, a strobe with shoot through the camera left for background fill.. i think that one was too strong, and a strobe above camera for catchlights
no gels were used..dont have any right now
WB was Auto...shot in raw to change temp...is just about as shot
Purpose of shot was for model just trying ideas out,,concept was getting stood up for a date and drinking home alone...there are others where she burns all her dates photos and stuff.
camera settings
Canon40D 17-55mm lens
shot at f2.8 and 1/13 sec
did do some post with smoothing and levels but really didnt change the temp
