Easter/Spring Photoshoot w/ Friend (Comments/Critiques Welcomed)

I just got back from a "cold" spring/Easter-themed photo shoot with a friend. First, I was wondering if you could give me Comments/Critiques on these photos. Second, While I like these photos, I find it hard to pose/direct and make photos more exciting. I have thousands of ideas in my head, however, when I try to implement them, they do not turn out the same in person as I envisioned them. (Sorry, it is hard to put what I am asking into words!)

I did ask my friend to give me critique and what her favorite photo was. She said she loved the more close-up photos (2nd one). 

Your friend is right, the second is luminous and happy though the rendition
is, IMHO, not to the level.

The rendition of the first is better but the pose looks uncomfortable.

G'day mate

Welcome again - and you are asking for feedback, so a 'well done' from me to start the discussion

Looking at your 2 images -
#1 shows me some houses and trees and a lovely grassy area where kids can play games ... and golly, there is someone in the way of it all.
This is one of those locations / poses where you can use the longest zoom you have to enlarge the actual subject - and to do so, you walk away from the subject as part of your arranging the image. You will often hear the photo-phrase "vote with your feet" ... ie- look around you - check the background - move sideways if needed to change the background - change the lens to also change the background - and so it goes

An alternative is for the young lady to pick a flower and enjoy its scent while you take the photo thus putting her more into the location / give her a book or magazine to read and you then move around taking several shots - noting light and shadows and background while doing so

#2 shows the young lady to great advantage. You have done well with this image. Again - vote with your feet to alter the background a bit, and see how each image varies ... some will be better, some will be junk - that's the way it is for all of us too!

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

I think you have make the model more comfortable with her poses. I noticed that she is a bit looking not so comfortable with the shots. The first one has a better render. 

Ozzie_Traveller wrote: G'day mate

Welcome again - and you are asking for feedback, so a 'well done' from me to start the discussion

Looking at your 2 images -
#1 shows me some houses and trees and a lovely grassy area where kids can play games ... and golly, there is someone in the way of it all.
This is one of those locations / poses where you can use the longest zoom you have to enlarge the actual subject - and to do so, you walk away from the subject as part of your arranging the image. You will often hear the photo-phrase "vote with your feet" ... ie- look around you - check the background - move sideways if needed to change the background - change the lens to also change the background - and so it goes

An alternative is for the young lady to pick a flower and enjoy its scent while you take the photo thus putting her more into the location / give her a book or magazine to read and you then move around taking several shots - noting light and shadows and background while doing so

#2 shows the young lady to great advantage. You have done well with this image. Again - vote with your feet to alter the background a bit, and see how each image varies ... some will be better, some will be junk - that's the way it is for all of us too!

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Thank you! That brings up the question of how do you do effective non-posed photos? 

You mentioned walking around (for example) someone reading a book or smelling a flower. As I walk, take photos to see how the lighting affects the photos. 

How would I have the model do that (read/smell flower) while acting natural?

Thanks!  

G'day mate

In the beginning - it is not easy as you yourself are unsure as to what & how to do stuff (and don't worry - it happens with all of us). Every model I have worked with will help all the more after you explain your newness to this type of photography and quite often, will offer suggestions to help things along a bit

Maybe the easiest way is to give her / the model / a good magazine and ask her to read bits back to you - ie: create some communication without it being too stiff and forced. As you move around a bit, your replies to her are related to her posture - move your head up/down/left/right - lift a shoulder / move your chin a bit / look at me / look left or right ....... and so it goes

You are then guiding her into the areas of interest to you

Hope this helps
Phil

Ozzie_Traveller wrote: G'day mate

In the beginning - it is not easy as you yourself are unsure as to what & how to do stuff (and don't worry - it happens with all of us). Every model I have worked with will help all the more after you explain your newness to this type of photography and quite often, will offer suggestions to help things along a bit

Maybe the easiest way is to give her / the model / a good magazine and ask her to read bits back to you - ie: create some communication without it being too stiff and forced. As you move around a bit, your replies to her are related to her posture - move your head up/down/left/right - lift a shoulder / move your chin a bit / look at me / look left or right ....... and so it goes

You are then guiding her into the areas of interest to you

Hope this helps
Phil

+1