Please feel free to critique

[Kevin@rsp]

My first attempt didn't go so well..so let me know what you like or don't like about this one. If you hate ..tell me..I have thick skin...just want to learn
Thanks to Arkie for the tips!

[nakins]

Well, I don't know dooky, as I'm learning too. But, I think many will say that you could have used a little more fill light on the dark side of the face. The focus seem to be a little sof, but that may be due to the lack of fill light around the mouth and nose. The catch lights are nice considering the the angle of the light and the hat. I think the biggest issue I would have with the photo is the color of the hat. It is a lighter color then her face and it is drawing the eye to it away from the face/eyes. If the background color was of the same color has the hat, it might not be so distracting as the greater contrast in the photo would be of her hair and face. But, what do I know.

[lsc1]

I like it a lot, sharp eyes, nice pose, pretty model. I think maybe it needs a little PS help for the shadow detail on the sweater and to make her pop a little. I'll post a PS's version if you want to show you what I mean but only with your permission.

[Kevin@rsp]

Please do. Thank you!

[Tballgame87]

I think the hat may take away from the model herself. Since she does not have such a light skin tone, and has dark hair and clothing, the light hat tends to draw your eye away from the model's eyes.

Great composition, beautiful model.

[lsc1]

Here you go. My PS work is not perfect but took 1 minute and this probably gives you another idea. With more time, I would make another layer and mask the background to keep it black.

[R_Fredrick_Smith]

I think it needs more fill in general and a little adjustment to the color balance. Here is an example



I restricted the fill to just the face so that the texture of the hat would remain constant. Typically this kind of fill would be just a small reflector held below the face area to reflect some more light back into the face.

Cheers,
rfs

[Kevin@rsp]

Thanks for all the comments and thanks to lsc1 and R.F.S for the insight. Much appreciated and very helpful!