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Hi there~ I have only been doing photography for about 6 months and am wanting to go into fashion/glamour photography. Could you look at my site and the site of my most recent model and give me critique? I appreciate it very much!

Toria

http://www.musecube.com/Teez/index.htm

http://www.musecube.com/maija/

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GLAMOURLAND...

Good morning Toria.,

I was visiting your site and IMO you have a very long way to go before you could call this a exiting gallerie.My advice : take some lessons the next 12-16 months and start all over.
Thats my best comment and advice.
Sorry.

Kind regards.,
Loft

( call me if you need model-casting-advice)

__________________
[url=http://gallery.bytephoto.com/showgallery.php?ppuser=5]My Gallery[/url]

Last edited by Loft on Nov 12th, 2003 at 09:22 AM

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Hi Toria,

IMO, for only 6 months of photography, your going in the right direction. There are some nice compositions and others not so good. I like the B&W portfolio the best with "Turquoise Eyes" standing out from the rest.
Work on the compositions and take a look at other fashion/glamour photographer's work.
Although, having said that, it's just MY opinion.

... look forward to seeing more.

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Kind regards
Stephen

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Thanks for your opinions...

RVB Pix ....yes, everyone has to start somewhere and I know that I will get to the point where I want to be. Right now I only take photos for beginning models in my area who want to build a portfolio. It helps both of us and I get practice that way. I won't give up as it is something I really love. Thank you for the advice...that is what helps me. I actually do have a binder that I keep and tear out poses from magazines and put in sheet protectors. I let the models go through and look at the photos and try to emulate the poses. This helps immensely!

Loft...we all have our own styles and I appreciate your opinion. I don't care for many of your photos either, but that is just because of personal taste. The important part is that I am getting out there and trying and each photo I take where I learn something and improve, that is a personal accomplishment to me and I will continue to post my photos in my own portfolio because it is my work and I see no reason to hide my photographs just because they are not perfect. I am proud to be able to say that I can learn from critiques and this way the people who are familiar with my work can see my improvements.

Again, for anyone who would like to offer me specifics on a critique, that is really what I am looking for. Insults don't really help or bother me really...it is just a waste of time. My focus is on being a better photographer so if anyone would like to offer direct specifics, I still would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks and everyone have a great day!

Toria

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Dear Toria

Thanks for your replay.
Lets make one (1) thing clear : I tryed to be honnest and straight with you but I was N O T trying to insult you.Thats not my style.,I am such a nice guy (lol)

Kind regards from a sunny Portugal.,
Loft

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[url=http://gallery.bytephoto.com/showgallery.php?ppuser=5]My Gallery[/url]

Last edited by Loft on Nov 12th, 2003 at 11:50 PM

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Tonia,

I have visited your site and have the following comments:

1
Make your site a bit more colorfull for example by using a background with a certain athmosphere.
2
Use a different background for your models. In some cases you have but in most cases the background is not right.
3
Try the make more use of depth of field by which you put the focus on the model and not on the surroundings.

regards

Ron

Last edited by raaf on Nov 13th, 2003 at 12:01 AM

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I saw some good stuff in your shots. I did model photos for a big school in Miami for a while and it seems to me that you have a pretty good eye for the posing and the overall look. The only real advice I could give is to concentrate on making your backgrounds work with the model instead of distracting from the and most importantly to learn how to light the individual to get the flattering look you seek. If possible try working with off-camera flashes or use a combination of natural and artificial lighting.
Colin

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Toria, it seems to me that you got a bit defensive over Loft's opinion. Dont do that. You asked, he answered. Anyway, one of the toughest things to learn is to take critisism gracefully.

Anywhooooo, one thing you stated was that you take photos from magazines and the models try to emulate them. My advice is to not make a habit of it. It maybe ok in some situations as a very general guide on how to do fashion/model shots, but let your models be themselves. I will try to explain.

Say you find a female model in a certain pose wearing a certain type of clothing. If you show that to your new model, she may try just a bit too hard to make her pose just like the magazine girl, and you may try to hard to copy the exact camera angle. What you end up with is a model that "looks" like she is just trying to look lke somebody else and it is stiff and fake.

Maybe you see a model sitting on a bench leaning back on her hands and enjoying the view. Dont have your model copy that pose by showing it to her, simply tell her "hey, lets try one on the bench. Maybe lean back and relax a little, just take in the scenery". This will allow her to know what you might be looking for, and she can give her natural intepretation of what she feels you are asking for. Know what I mean?

Example. The below shot is of my daughter. Now the basic shot is not original, many people do that same basic type of thing. However at first I had her try to do the pose just like I had seen it before ("pouty" face and all that seems so popular these days). The poses we were trying to copy, and the facial expressions were not working. They simply were not her. Now the shot you see is one we were far happier with. She had free reign to have fun and interpret the pose how she felt natural doing it. The look on her face is genuine. She is relaxed and simply enjoying the day. It is more like I just happened to have a camera and caught a nice photo as opposed to saying "look a certain way, and stay that way until I take the picture".



This next photo is another example. In this one she has a big smile. Now when somebody is just told "sit there, now smile" well it just does not look natural. When the smile is not genuine, you can tell, because only the mouth moves and the rest of the face looks just like it did before the smile, kind of ho-hum. In this photo, I simply was talking to her about her day at school, and the good times she had with her friends that day. She relaxed, and as she got around to some of the fun things she had done that day, she began to smile while telling the story. You can tell by the way her entire face is, you can almost see the smile in her eyes. Try it sometime, just look in the mirror and force a smile. Now think of something that really makes you happy, and the natural smile that occurs will be seen not only the way your mouth moves, but your face.


Now you may not care for the photos, but my point is that they dont look like a person out of place and told just how to pose. They came out as semi-posed shots that look like she simply belongs there because she got to be herself.

Try a few shots like that, and lets see what you come up with. You seem to be heading in the right direction with the mechanics of the photos, not you just need to work on your's and your model's natural abilities. Good luck with it!!

And if you read this entire long-winded thread, then I do hope there was something of use to you

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[URL=http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=219 ][color=orange]My photo album[/color][/URL]

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Thanks everyone for your comments. They are exactly what I wanted. Critiques that help me with my hobby are always appreciated.

Ron... I definitely understand the part about the depth of field. I have not started using my SLR yet since I am just practicing with my automatic and digital so I have no way of doing the depth of field. So far I have been afraid to "practice" on my SLR. I know this is silly and just a hang-up for me and I have to get over it. That is my next step this week to get out and use my SLR. I know that I won't have satisfactory photos until I do. Secondly, you commented on my backgrounds and said that they were "just not right" and that I needed to use a background "with a certain atmosphere"...I don't understand that part. If you can better explain, I would really appreciate it and thanks for taking the time to comment.

Colin...Thanks for your tiny bit of encouragement regarding my "eye" for what I am looking for. I do know what I want. It is just sometimes hard to compose a photo the way I want. I totally understand what you mean about the backgrounds. I was told by some fantastic photographers that my backgrounds were too "plain" and so I started to use the stronger backgrounds. So now I have some which are plain and some which have the strong backgrounds. I just have to learn to get to the "happy medium" area. And lighting is my # 1 problem. I have to work on that a LOT!

Richard...Thank you for your informative post. First of all, your daughter is lovely and the photos are very nice. I completely understand what you said and I probably gave the wrong impression when I said that I took photos from magazines and used them. I work from these poses to get a start sometimes because I am always working with girls who absolutely have no idea how to pose or even stand. This is what several very good photographers who actually do this for a living told me to start with. I do understand that the natural look is what you a photographer is ultimately going for. It didn't hurt to remind me though since I sometimes do forget to take a photo when the model is just being natural. It's like I KNOW what I need to do, but just when I am out doing it, I forget. I will really practice on this...

And, as far as being "defensive" to Loft's opinion, I am far from defensive. As you can see, I really care about what I am doing and really do put into practice what people tell me for critique. However, when someone makes a remark so insulting as to "take lessons for a year and start all over again", I find that insulting and feel that I have a right to comment on it...however silly it may be. For someone to make a comment without even giving advice on ways to change, to me is rude and I don't see why a person would even bother to take the time to comment if they didn't have something constructive to say. The rest of the photographers here have been kind enough to offer actual ways in which I can improve. That, to me, is what critique is.

Again, thanks to everyone for their advice and helpful comments. I definitely realize that I have a long way to go, but I am willing to put in the time to learn and make my photographs better. I promise to remember and try to put into practice what each of you have told me.

Toria

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Dear Toria,

You asked what I mean with atmosphere. With this I mean that your background should have a relation with the model (or better what your model is wearing). If your model wears a long evening dress, your background should reflect something which has a relation with that evening dress. If your model wears country clothes, the background should be something country like. Such a background together with your model will create that specific atmosphere which makes your picture better.

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Toria-When I was in school, Critiques were the hardest part of studio classes, and probably the most important learning tool I ever received was taking it for what it was worth. Now everyone isn't the most tactful or pleasant critiquer but may be very well-intentioned anyway. Especially if he/she is very experienced and used to seeing the same mistakes by inexperienced shooters.
I will say that some of your models poses have a contirved look and not natural as has been said and some might seem more natural in a more fitting setting for example-You have a shot of Maija squatting that would in my opinion look very good in a dirty alley or up against a weathered building because it supports the expression and the waif look, but then her shoes should be less shiny.
Now I have to ask what camera you're using(digital) because many of them have the ability to change DOF-you just adjust the F stop. If you use a smaller F stop you will get a narrow or thin DOF which brings focus to the subject & blurs the BG. Anyway, I encourage you to shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more! Practice & mistakes are the best teachers by far & don't shrug off good advice! It's a wee bit faster than mistakes.

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DeColores!

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Toria, what kind of new camera do you have that you have not practiced with yet? One thing I always like to hear is what new toys the photo folks are using

Grab it and get to work, looking forward to seeing plenty more of your pics. Im sure they will just get better as time gos on. Practicing is half the fun, it gives you a goal to shoot for. Challenge yourself to make each session better than the last. Enjoy it!!

__________________
[URL=http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=219 ][color=orange]My photo album[/color][/URL]

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Thanks again folks for the comments. Raaf and Sunny...I understand what you mean on the backgrounds. I will definitely keep this in mind for my shoots. Makes sense!

Sunny...my digital camera does not have the ability to adjust the F Stop. It is an older Sony Mavica (the kind where you put the disks directly into the camera) and although it is a good camera, it is not really suitable for what I want to use it for. I am hoping to get a new digital for Christmas...

Rich...the SLR I have is a Minolta X370. I know it is a good camera...I just have to learn to use it and not be afraid of the settings. I used it one time and ruined a whole roll of film so I guess I am just afraid. I have to get over this, I know...

Again, thank you everyone and I will post photos as I get them. I have another TFP shoot with a model this coming Monday so hopefully I can put some of your advice into practice. Everyone have a good weekend!

Toria

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Toria,

To help you get over your fears of your SLR you should try using it in aperture priority mode. Usually designated as AV on your dial. In this mode you choose the aperture value (and hence the appropriate depth of field) and the meter in your camera will select the proper shutter speed. I also recommend a tripod, or at the very least make sure that your camera is indicating that the shutter speed is at a hand-holdable speed. Look through the viewfinder while depressing the shutter release button half way to see what shutter speed the meter is choosing for that aperture setting. A rule of thumb for handholding is that the shutter speed should be the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens you are using. For example, if using a 105mm lens, then your shutter speed should be 105th of a second. Closest actual shutter speed is 1/125. This will more than likely give you usable negs to work with, but don't get stuck in the rut of relying on this aperture priority. If you have a hand held meter, then start experimenting with this. To start off, while in incident mode, go to your subject and point the dome directly at your camera and take the meter reading that way. This should be a good start for you on getting usable exposures. You have to start learning sometime and since you have the camera right now, I say START RIGHT NOW!!!

Good luck to you and have fun.

Jeff

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I went out today and used your suggestions and used my SLR. I will let ya know how the photos turned out...

Toria

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