xinelaine wrote:
I'm new here but I've been shooting off and on for years - would love any feedback (good/bad/all of it).

Welcome to MM! I like your work, you are a creative storyteller. I can see that you are working with what is there in front of you. Some fine work can (and has) been created that way. Keep at it. If and when you start wanting more control over the light instead of working with what is there, you can add some lighting gear. There is much that can be done without it, a concept is more important by far. For myself, I often find the technical mind can interupt the artist soul. This is something every photographer must learn to deal with on some level but an artist must keep the distractions to a minimum. It is noted that you may not have full control of placing the point where the lens is in focus. If your camera has a Live View feature, experiment with that, it is slower but can allow you to focus accurately in a much larger area of the image.

My thoughts, hope they are helpful.

Seems a bit centered but the hand in the right side of the screen provides balance. Nice use of available light, nice textures.


Nice image. I haven't quite deciphered it yet but there is a story here. Compositionallly, I would like to see more background on the right to take the subject out of the center of the frame.


Love the lighting and the moment you captured. Including the light source offsets the centering nicely. A tiny bit of fill flash would put catchlights in the eyes, might make the image pop a bit more.


Would like to see a bit more space on the left. Open to the viewer's interpretation, a mystery image.


I find the white wall and flower pot distracting. Beware the nostrils!!!! I like the texture, lighting and concept, maybe have another go at it.


I would delete this one. Turn the model's head a bit more towards the camera. The fingers are cut off. The bright spot on the wall is distracting.


Another centered subject. Distracting bright areas. The story, pose and lighting on the model are nice. Try again?


I would delete. Busy, busy, busy. Subject is centered, no light in the eye. Not feeling it.


I like this.


No light in the model's eyes. Centered. Messy, not sure the story. I would delete this.


Turn model's face a bit towards the camera, try to avoid putting the pupils right into either horizontal edge of the eye. The background is cluttered, the window is bright and distracting. I like the lighting and the expression, not sure about the knee. Probably needs gone. I would delete this and shoot more like it.


I like this composition. The lighting is a bit too contrasty, a bit of soft fill flash would work wonders on this image - bringing light into the eyes and some shape to her face.


Love this. Consider cropping the left side just enough to remove the chin, I think it improves the image.


Very raw and real, I like it. Some might call it a snapshot but the devil is in the details. You've carefully placed the lighting. It is not "correct" but rules are for cookie cutter images. The expression is real. Consider using it for your avatar.


It looks like you could have moved over to the left and used the taller trees in the right side of the image to conceal the power lines. With an overcast day (gigantic free softbox!!!!) it shouldn't change the lighting much. And this is nice lighting, some of the best that Nature has to offer.
Another centered image, make an effort to try compositions that are off center - often they are more interesting.  I would also try a few variations on the pose, mostly the angle. Straight on or "square to the camera" may not offer as many interesting angles as a slight twist to the left or right.


I like this.


I like this. Shoot more like it and refine the look.


Love this, the mood is compelling. While the rule is to not cut off parts of hands or feet, in this image you have broken that rule to good effect. Keeper.


Nice texture and composition.


As a photographer I see the top of the backdrop paper roll. As an artist I see an interesting portrait. I like it.


I like this.


I like this. I wish the mirror was just a bit more to the left so her lips were not on the edge. Overall the mood is good.


I would delete this one. I don't find it interesting compelling.


If you could tone down the bright area in the backdrop above the model's shoulders this would be nice. Remember: Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection. You might have been able to get the reflection out of the photo by trying a different angle from camera position.


I like this, for some reason I find it really creepy!


Cropped in considerably, this could be a nice image. We now see your studio lighting of choice, the color suggests tungsten lighting. That is a warm color, we see that same warm color in many of your images. Part of a style is one way to look at it.
I like the model and the pose/expression.


This is not sharp, not in focus. At least, not the model's face. As an art shot it works in that aspect. Fingers are cut off, not in a good way.


I like the model and expression but overall it seems a bit messy. I would delete this.


I have mixed feelings about this one. It amuses me, it is a horrible image but I sort of like it too. Maybe see what others think. Nostrils!!!!


Crop off some of the left side. It looks like there was a stray hair or other fiber on the film down at the bottom off the frame and to the left of center, Photoshop that out. Not in focus but it doesn't matter, the story is told. I like it.


I like this. If you could tone down the part of the rail in the back that is completely white it would be less distracting. Here we see a 35mm SLR camera, weapon of choice?


I like the model but not the image. I would delete this.


Fun! Nostril bomb!!!! Not sure if I would keep it.


Would suggest a crop on the left side into the dark edge of the window frame and a crop on the right side to eliminate the floral patterned lounge thingie.


I would delete this.


I would delete this.


Too busy, I would delete. Multiple exposure on film? The results can be unpredictable if you just experiement.

Fist Full of Ish wrote:
You have a bunch of pics, but they are not really about models, even if most of them feature models.

Sorry I don't understand - what do you mean? Are you referencing my photos that don't feature a face?

*The models are not credited currently because they are not on this website - they're just friends.

Shadow Dancer wrote:
I can see that you are working with what is there in front of you. Some fine work can (and has) been created that way. Keep at it. If and when you start wanting more control over the light instead of working with what is there, you can add some lighting gear. There is much that can be done without it, a concept is more important by far. For myself, I often find the technical mind can interupt the artist soul.

Most of the work I have uploaded does feature natural light. You're definitely right - I find that allows me to focus on the model and composition and action rather than lighting as well. I definitely get overwhelmed easily (especially if I'm shooting digital + film at the same time). This is the same reason I don't change my lens anymore when I'm shooting.

BUT I also have a lot of work featuring neon colored lighting that I shoot in my apartment. Those are the shoots where I like to play with lights - I'll upload more of those images to show more diversity in my work.

It looks like you could have moved over to the left and used the taller trees in the right side of the image to conceal the power lines. With an overcast day (gigantic free softbox!!!!) it shouldn't change the lighting much. And this is nice lighting, some of the best that Nature has to offer.
Another centered image, make an effort to try compositions that are off center - often they are more interesting.  I would also try a few variations on the pose, mostly the angle. Straight on or "square to the camera" may not offer as many interesting angles as a slight twist to the left or right.

Thank you for pointing this out - I do realize I center my subjects too much. The outcome is always satisfying to me - but also probably the easiest decision. I'll work to challenge myself more with angles.

I used to love overcast days - but now they make me kinda sad to shoot. I much prefer bright sunlight now - definitely harder to get right but I enjoy the challenge. And it's so rewarding - the skin pops and textures come alive to me with there's interesting light rather than that "soft box" look. But I totally get what you're saying.

Fun! Nostril bomb!!!! Not sure if I would keep it.

I do shoot my models from below often to add a power element but I've never noticed the nostrils lol - I'll keep that in mind in the future.

I would delete this one. Turn the model's head a bit more towards the camera. The fingers are cut off. The bright spot on the wall is distracting.


Fingers are cut off, not in a good way.

I do need to remind myself to not cut appendages! I think I get so enthralled with the whole composition/focusing on the eyes that I forget to step back a little. I can always crop in later!

Love this. Consider cropping the left side just enough to remove the chin, I think it improves the image.

I couldn't figure out the right crop - I'll try that!

Very raw and real, I like it. Some might call it a snapshot but the devil is in the details. You've carefully placed the lighting. It is not "correct" but rules are for cookie cutter images. The expression is real. Consider using it for your avatar.

Wow thank you - this is the kind of weird light/shadow I mentioned. It's so fun to shoot and play with. And definitely gratifying when you get it right. Glad you see what I see.

Love this, the mood is compelling. While the rule is to not cut off parts of hands or feet, in this image you have broken that rule to good effect. Keeper.

Thank you - this is one of my favorite photos I've ever taken! I lit it with my car's brake light lol - I want to redo the setup and shoot some film next time.

As a photographer I see the top of the backdrop paper roll. As an artist I see an interesting portrait. I like it.


Cropped in considerably, this could be a nice image. We now see your studio lighting of choice, the color suggests tungsten lighting. That is a warm color, we see that same warm color in many of your images. Part of a style is one way to look at it. I like the model and the pose/expression.

Such a great way to say it. I did take close ups on this shoot but I really liked stepping back and breaking the "rules" and turning the elements that are supposed to be out of fame into a set of their own. Kind of like an elevated BTS look.

I like this. I wish the mirror was just a bit more to the left so her lips were not on the edge. Overall the mood is good.

Yes - that's always bother me! But had to keep it

Remember: Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

Wow - I will remember that!

I like this, for some reason I find it really creepy!

Same - I want to shoot more strange portraits like this!

Too busy, I would delete. Multiple exposure on film? The results can be unpredictable if you just experiement.

I can see how you would see this and think it's too messy. But I do still love it - AND this shot was just featured by VSCO! I'm just very excited so I had to mention it.

Also - my shot was inspired by double exposures by Jon Schoonover. His work is amazing:

xinelaine wrote:

Sorry I don't understand - what do you mean? Are you referencing my photos that don't feature a face?

*The models are not credited currently because they are not on this website - they're just friends.

Great way to start - by shooting Friends

As the other person said -You just need to refine your technique

Garry k wrote:
Great way to start - by shooting Friends

As the other person said -You just need to refine your technique

The op said she had been shooting for years.

xinelaine wrote:
I'm new here but I've been shooting off and on for years - would love any feedback (good/bad/all of it).

Images are more art than shooting models. Some up your nose, and free for all posing. Just not model images if that's what you are after. IF you're shooting model images you would be shooting features, personality, skin tones, mood, energy. Not shoulders, knees, elbows, shins.

You have your own style and that's all fine that probably just stick with that and just keep having fun and shooting artsy.

xinelaine wrote:
I'm new here but I've been shooting off and on for years - would love any feedback (good/bad/all of it).

Images are more art than shooting models. Some up your nose, and free for all posing. Just not model images if that's what you are after. IF you're shooting model images you would be shooting features, personality, skin tones, mood, energy. Not shoulders, knees, elbows, shins.

You have your own style and that's all fine that probably just stick with that and just keep having fun and shooting artsy.