Hello everyone, I'm Josh. I've been coming to Fstoppers for some time now for the articles, and have finally decided to dive into the community.
I find myself always stumbling across some amazing work here, and hope to improve with all the knowledge here. Cheers!!
I love the darkside of photography and in this image I totally get where you are coming from. A beauty in a black bikini on what appears to be black rocks. But I don't actually believe they are black and that is the problem. Yet somehow, it looks like it is a more everyday beach scene, under-exposed. I am not saying you have accidentally under-exposed and tried to get away with the result as a serious controlled shot. I am saying it looks like you tried something consiously, which to my eyes looks false. In other words, I don't think it works, as is. Worth a try but no cigar.
She is in her bikini, looking at her skin and pose, it is obviously hot and sunny yet it is all black and moody. This is a strange combo.
The pose works from the waste up but her legs would look so much better in a less bent attitude, adding a flowing diagonal line to your composition, a good thing you sort of missed.
If she had been nude, so an art shot rather than a more mainstream shot, perhaps the black lighting effect might have worked better, not entirely but better. If she was wearing something soft and nutral and you had added a midnight blue cast, may be. I don't know, but there we are. You have skill and a stunning model. Get out there and do a lot more and let us see what you do.
Best of luck.
Thank you for your point of view, and feedback. It's greatly appreciated!