Its the not post processing its the Pose, the flat lighting and the location that is probably the reason you got those comments.

In the background alone i see two better options for the backdrop of your photo, though used all the time work really well with certain models with bright clothes.

First is the Metal bay doors to the left of teh image, and the second is the stairs behind her.

The current background you have does not compliment the image, its very cluttered and boring, on top that the model is having to compete with that big pole because my eye is drawn to it.

It looks to have been a sunny day. Was it? If so use the sun as your 2nd light. Was your strobe on camera?

BTW dont use the stofen outside because it doesnt do anything, the whole point of a stofen is to send light in many directions to assist in bouncing. Its almost useless outdoors as well as cutting about a stop of flash power.

Tell me what you had to work with and ill tell you what i would have and probably draw a diagram.


Keep plugging away, you will get better the more you try it. Make yourself a look book of magazine clippings and bring it with you on shoots that way you can have the "model" try and mimic the pose.

I would have had her bend over slightly sticking her but out a little more, while arching her back, then have her head tilt forward a little instead of backward. Then tell her to pull back the smile a bit. That half smile thing isnt working. Also not have her push down with her arm but rather rest that arm on her hip, it help reduce the wrinkles and veins of the hand.

Also you have somehting shooting out of her head.

and yes git rid of those stockings what on gods green earth was that chick thinking... lol

hope this helps. But yes tell me what you had to work with and ill come up with something i would have done. Mainly if the flash was off cam or on cam. Looks like off cam to the right because of the shadow fall off on her face and arms.