First Model (Nudity Warning)

I just did my first outside photo shoot with a female model.
Just wondering if I should change anything to improve this?
Too cluttered?, Tighter Crop?
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...0shoot/054.jpg

All natural lighting.

First of all, good for you for making an attempt. Nude photography is one of the hardest of the photographic disciplines to do really well.

Having said that, the main problem for me is the pose. She looks awfully uncomfortable, draped as she is over the rocks with her head in mid-air. It doesn't look natural at all and her face shows the discomfort. Also, I am not sure that having to look at her face upside down does her or you any favours.

Sorry if this sounds rather negative, but I think that if you get another chance, try your model in a more natural, comfortable pose.

I would certainly either crop or clone to get rid of that corner of towel on the left too.

Cheers
Mike

Kudos for making an attempt at nude photography, it certainly can be a tough shoot. I agree with Didache as the pose does appear unflattering as the model does look unconfortable and it does not make her look her best. Form a technical standpoint, much of her right side is blown out and the entire image seems to lack contrast as it appears slightly overexposed. It would also be nice to see some definition in the water.
Nice start and keep em coming.

Didache, fidgety, Thank you.

I might have to get her again some day to re-shoot this.

Hows this one work?
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...0shoot/270.jpg

Too much room as the top - a tighter crop may work to alleviate that. Her skin is still a bit overexposed and although the background looks exposed correctly with good contrast and sharp, she does not.

icicle,
I had a long detailed post typed out on my phone earlier today, then my boss called and wiped it out two words before completion. I'll try to post again later but I'm wiped out after 10 hours of work and 4 hours of class :(
Keep at it, the more you practice, the easier it gets :wink:

Jetrim,
I'm looking forward towards you long and insightful post.

Thank you all for the words.

I know one thing, I need to get out earlier in the morning to shoot this. Since I was trying to be nice I let her sleep after she got off work.

I looked last night and couldn't decide what it was about this/these shots.
Aside with what has been said by more knowledgeable than I, I don't think the poses are the best for this models shape. Don't know any other way to put it.

The first looks like a snapshot. Two things that strike me: 1) harsh light 2) She posed, you stood on a nearby rock and hit the shutter. No dramatic angles or flattering light. I'm not an authority on this by any means, but I feel like if I handed my grandmother a p&s and had the model pose this is how it would come out.

and yeah i made you think about my grandmother shooting a nude scene.

Yep as was said you've got cojones for doing this. Harsh lights killing the exposure here, try a soft cloudy day, or try morning or evening. The harsh shadow along the whole left side of her body, to the left of her right breast, and inches away there are blown highlights. The next picture has softer light, but the harshness is still visible on her left hand and top of the hair. Her skin overall looks pretty overexposed in both.