Quick shot with new studio flash

[Davec223]

Hi all,
I have got a set of Elinchrome D-lite 2 and just want peoples opinion on the following shots, It is the first time I have used Studio Flash and really tried any Portrait photography seriously. C&C greatly appreciated. I know the background is rubbish, I am waiting for mine to arrive so I improvised and used the curtains.

1

2

 

[moomike]

Ok Dave, honest feedback coming up

1st shot: Cute model. I feel that if you have tried to go for a slightly older feeling portrait then you have succeeded - I do however feel that it looks a tad "misty" & could do with a slight contrast increase & a sharpen. Your framing definitely doesn't work for me though & I feel that it lets the portrait down, there is a lot of empty space at the top & the right-hand side being clipped off doesn't help either.

2nd shot: Love it, excellent shot imo - once again I feel that it is a slightly older, more vintage style portrait, the complementary green & red work really well together & I really like the cropping (could withstand a bit of a sharpen & a slight drop in saturation though.)

Introducing a reflector to lift some detail in the more shadowed areas may help a great deal if you wish to lighten them but I personally would just give it a very slight levels boost.

Please bear in mind that my opinion above will most probably not match up with standard studio advice to improve these images - this is because I actually like the older look & feel of these images. I feel that you have achieved a different effect & I would personally see where this style will take you before going for the more standard style shot.
2nd shot is excellent in my opinion, well done

 

[Davec223]

Moomike, thanks for the input, I really appreciate it, I will only learn from errors and people being honest enough to tell me. It's funny I put them up on another forum and they got ripped apart, I am not saying that they were wrong but it just goes to show how subjective photography is.
Anyway just another quick one from today

I have only cropped this and slight sharpening in Picasa as I was at the parents when I took it so photoshop wasn't at hand


Regards

Dave

 

[Betty]

As you've said, you are waiting for a backdrop, so I wont comment on it I will say you can use all sorts of backgrounds though, a well lit white wall works better