SargentRay
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I also think it is a very solid series overall. I too would have liked to see a couple of tighter shots. But then again it is difficult to wish or suggest for different shots than the ones you did because it seems clear that your goal was to show the environment on every shots from the get go. So in that respect i have to say mission accomplished RichCoyle. This being said the price to pay for people shots including big parts of the surroundings & backgrounds is less attention on the model, which is not desirable in any people photography in my view.
But for what it's worth some shots that have a stronger backlight would have benefitted from some fill in light both to advantage the model and detach her more from the background especially added with some ambient light manipulations making the backgrounds either darker or lighter depending on the scenes.
Also, using a lens such as the 50mm although technically correct i always find is a safe but less creative focal length compared to almost any other lens available. Same principle for using an f5,6 aperture on most of your shots. Nothing wrong with that of course but it's a safe aperture rather than a creative one in my opinion.
What i'm trying to say is that your shots are technically correct but they lack creativity a bit. For example i see great potential on #5 shot. The surroundings and the light are both exquisite for a superb portrait (for my taste at least) But it comes out average, simply because there is no clear choice of what was more important to capture in the picture; the decor, the model or the beautiful wrapping light around your model. It is my opinion that this type of shot should have been taken with a more powerful lens such as the 85mm our even a little stronger such as a 100mm. Then i can't help see it with a beautiful Bokeh in front as well as in the back of your model. This is relatively easy to achieve simply by opening the aperture to full or as close to it as possible.
In short don't be afraid to try different things technically and creatively. Make decisions while composing your pictures, if you see it with and angle as opposed to being perfectly leveled, then go for it all the way. Most times when the photographer angles the shot it will pass as being creative, but if you do it just a little or do it halfway most viewers will think that you just missed the level in the shot. Same as for the angle of shoot, sometime it is nice to go low but often it doesn't work for portraits, making objects such as the feet/shoes bigger than the model's face. The non photographer may not see it at first glance but will have a vague feeling something is wrong in the picture.
In the said shot to my eyes the boots look indeed disproportionate relative to the face. Shooting from a higher angle would have helped.
I am only writing all this because i can feel you are touching the next level of quality with the tip of your fingers. You're this close to great shots as opposed to just good photos. If i didn't think it sincerely i wouldn't take the time to write all this, believe me. I just hope you receive my comments as a constructive criticism. I must also point out that i am quite aware that not everyone has an 85mm or a 200mm in their bag. Then again it is not absolutely necessary to make great shots, but in photography sooner or later comes the time when one can only improve with the right equipment. If it wasn't so all pros would just have one lens and work little miracles in post processing.
I have made a few modifications to illustrate what i mean on your #5 shot. I will post it as an example only if you wish it. I wish you many pleasant shoots my friend.
Edited on Sep 13, 2013 at 01:56 PM · View previous versions
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