I really love this image and the Earthen color palette it offers, it was taken back in 2011 before I started shooting RAW (long story) and the post processing and retouching I did on this image back then wasn't really all that good, so I decided to give it another go and would love to hear your CC especially of things I could do to make the image better!
Nice eyes on the model and love her hair color. There are a few things that struck me in this shot.
1. The background is busy and horizontally dissected.
2. The model is too close to the background and is casting a shadow.
3. The flash appears to be straight on. I would bounce it from one side and use some fill light straight toward her.
4. Her pose is very symmetrical, both arms almost evenly positioned. I would try using one arm up, not both.
Just my thoughts.....for what they are worth.
....Craig
Thank you for the feedback Craig, your points are well noted and valid. This was an impromptu situation in a restaurant that wasn't planned, so I had very little equipment with me.
1. I like the background and the colors how they match the skintone and general Earthen colors, I could have corrected the slight tilt but with the result that she would be tilted, I weighed on the side of having the background slightly tilted.
2. Yes that is unfortunate but the result of space constraints at the place, would have placed her further away from the wall in a studio setting.
3. Again I didn't have much equipment with me so I had to use the built-in flash, and thus no bounce possible, not an ideal situation.
4. You're right, and I have more, but this was the best overall, the shadows in the others were worse.
Again thank you for your input, certainly valid points and many of the things very beginners mistakes and due to the circumstances the photo was taken under, still I do really like the photo.
I understand not having the right "stuff" with you. That is my story most of the time.