2 New Shots of Amy in the City [pics attached]

[McMadCow]

I've been pretty happy with the shots from last weekend as I've been going through them. But I want some outside opinions because I shoot for my tastes, and not necessarily what works for other viewers. So let me have it.
Both were shot on PF4, the first was with my 35-70, at 35. The second was with my 50mm. Comments and critiques are appreciated!

[Sebastian]

I REALLY like Fountain1Small on your flickr page.

The first one here is a bit too busy, not in the typical sense, but she just blends into the background too much. If you had made her stand out more I think it would have been stronger. She just has to overpower the background, I'm just not sure right now how you could do that.

The second one is kind of iconic, I like it, though I find the crop to be too loose. The background is subtle, but I wish for just a bit more activity, or something more that supports the theme you seem to have here.

[poker]

I think the first one would work as a vertical shot with the vertical lines in the background (buildings and street signs complementing her stance). The tree and hydrant on the left seem to belong somewhere else. I held a piece of paper up to the screen and blocked the tree and hydrant which helps me focus on her more. To work with this shot in another way, try a square crop leaving her to the extreme left. If you can reshoot, get more height on the building and give her the illusion of being more lengthy in a vertical shot.

For the second shot, if the sun were at a different angle and she were closer to the wall, her shadow may have been an added interest to the shot as she held the camera out. That would've made a totally different photo of course.

Regardless of my comments, all your work motivates me to be more artistic.

[jbaldocchi]

Both photos have good B & W tone. I like the pose and the background texture in the 2nd image but the first one works for me too. B & W lives!!

[McMadCow]

Sebastian, thanks as always for the well thought-out critiques.

Manacsa, is this better as a vertical crop? I was debating between the landscape in the original post and this one.

[poker]

Manacsa, is this better as a vertical crop? I was debating between the landscape in the original post and this one.

Whoah, almost how I imagined it. The background has a lot of power to it. Your approach/angle and your model would require a lot of variety in poses to find the perfect fit for the strong background. It's pretty cool how her face is lit enough to have it stand out.

I would stick with the landscape version getting rid of the tree and hydrant on the left. I like her expression and pose which gives the photo alot of character.

Black and white rocks!

[GB1]

I agree with Seb that the first one is sort of 'busy'. Her pose is interesting and I think she has some zippy flair, but the background just doesn't do her justice.

Have you considered shooting her in a studio with only a white background? That would let her personality really show.

I like the second shot but consider the background wall just too boring. She dress, hair and pose all have a nostolgic feel (nice) but someone the tones don't complement each other. Picky Picky....

Should really consider a studio shoot with her .................!

GB