Newbie Here... :) Critique welcome!

ashleyaleese

Hi, I've been working at this for about a year part time. Let me know your thoughts. Just a few of my shots from this summer.

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2.

3.

Qarik

1) the color and processing are very nice, the pose is VERY awkward. she looks uncomfortable and the angle may not have been the most flattering

2) I am neutral on this one.

3) the pose and smile are very nice in this shot as well as overall tonality. you need to shoot this kind of shot wider though to keep all her body parts. Also it is tilted to the left and I vignette is a bit strong

ashleyaleese

Hey Thanks! Still learning things, and I appreciate your insight. I'll keep it in mind for sure!

TenThirteen

I love #2!

The pose in #1 she does look uncomfortable, but she probably WAS since she looks incredibly pregnant! lol

#3 is cute, but like Qarik said, it would be better without such a tight crop.

All in all, very pleasant, good job! :-)

Darren Troy C

Newbie, huh? I'd say you're well on your way. Nice job overall!

divamum

I really like #2 as well (sorry Qarik :tiptoe)....

ashleyaleese

Thanks everyone. Still growing, and there is so much of the technical stuff I am still learning so I appreciate the helpful tips!

kathiemt

I really like #3. I don't do people shots much (except family & friends) so I appreciate there's work involved that I don't do. I think you're doing well.

chrisjohnson

I am viewing this on my IPAD and it all looks overexposed. Now I do not plan to calibrate my iPad to look at your photos and nor does anyone else - it is not possible even.

zoomer

You are on the right track. These are all good shots, 2 is my favorite.
Don't be shy...post more...your work is solid.

ashleyaleese

a few more...
Thanks for the help everyone. A few more If you feel like commenting....

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2.

3.

Agnieszka

I'm gonna go against the grain here

Love #1 ... agree on the slightly unflattering angle, but I love the processing and I think it's a nice photo overall
#2 is pretty cool, I'd definitely give her a choice of processing though
#3. Oh .. I'd stay sooo far way from the slightly desaturated look! Don't understand why gray skin would look nice to anybody (hmmmm .. kinda reminds me of dead people). Don't get me wrong, I like the photo, but really dislike the processing + it will look "old" in a few years (same counts for the last few photos) ... my 2 cents + I'd slim her arm a bit in #3 .. or just watch that your model / client doesn't push down her arm quite as much ...

Scootersbabygirl

I'm going to say that the processing is uniquely you, which is a good thing. The only thing that's bugging me is your watermark - it's too big for me! Sorry, I just prefer smaller watermarks that are more out of the way so that I can focus on the beautiful image!

ashleyaleese

Thanks...

In photo 1, she was incredibly uncomfortable. In every photo actually. If anyone has any tips on how to make those uncomfortable shots look a little more natural, I am all ears. I like the processing too. The photo just pops to me.

Photo 2, I was playing with Photoshop and the model and I came up with this... Its not my typical editing style, but she liked it.

And 3, That makes sense. I'll be careful of those things! Thank you!

Scootersbabygirl

How to make uncomfortable shots look better? I've found that it's all about getting the subject comfortable. For instance with a mom-to-be I'd talk a lot about when she found out she was pregnant, how it felt when the baby first kicked, what names she's been looking at, ect. This gets her mind into that frame of mind and you tend to see it reflected in the pics a bit more.

briandelion

I like these a lot, especially #2 in the first set and #'s 1 & 3 in the second set. I also agree about being careful with desaturation. I prefer to go one way or the other.

But...I have one overall nitpick which no one has yet mentioned. I may be way off base here but here's what I see. The face of the girl in all 3 looks overly "healed" and smoothed to the point of appearing mask like. In #2 I see what looks like freckles on her shoulders and neck which dissapear entirely on her face. In #1 second set the boys face looks normal but the girl's looks like marble and unnatural especially where it meets the hair.

That being said, everyone has their own taste. I'm not opposed to retouching but believe that a little goes a long way and is ultimately more natural and flattering when applied with restraint.

tropico

Lovely shots, I really like them.
I think you have done a good job!

But I will have to agree with briandelion, her face in #3 does not look natural. Looks like it has been edited a little too much maybe?

CCoop

Very pleasing, all. Be happy for your nice captures. And strive for more/better. I enjoyed them all!

ashleyaleese

Thanks so much!

About the face looking oversmoothed... I did not retouch a single thing on her face. I don't know if it appears that way because of the lighiting?Or if the camera was not as focused? But I can say that she has amazing skin to begin with. Is there a reason this may have happened? I did use my old camera at that session which was not as good as the one I have now and the new lenses I have. I have been recently shooting with a 50mm 1.4 and the detail is so much better.

ashleyaleese

Oh and I beleive in #2, the freckles do not stand out as much because she wears foundation. The only healing I did on her were on some wrinkles by the eyes and mouth which she requested.

briandelion

My mistake. I still do like them!