Moderators note: This thread was split from the Photo Reference Critique section.
HI Jane,
Yep, she's just beautiful. You should just go straight to St Croix! There's always a story to be told with an introspective gaze out a window, but those mulliion shadows are always problematic.
I also like the lighting in the third, with both warm and cool light sources.
I am doing more these days to control my background color and value. ( Actually I was driving past the party store recently, and they were selling out all the old rental linens - cigarette burns-figure out how old those must have been- tears, indelible stains - for $5 for a 60 " round to $12 for a 120" banquet length. I bought 7 or 8 in luscious colors. The bill was about $32
)
I mentioned the Giotto system in the thread on traveling. I got mine at Photomark in Phoenix, but you could probably find them less expensively than the $210 or so I paid, if you hunt a bit. I put those tripods to versatile use- they go up 11" so you can get a separate head to accept a light/umbrella if you wish.
Here's what they look like, and the specs:
http://www.hpmarketingcorp.com/giottos.html
Model No: 0802328
11' Air Cushioned stand.
Two 11'4 section stands, three piece 10'bar, heavy duty case
Minimum height 40" , bar widths: 39.7", 79.4",119.1"
Weighs 12 lbs
Supports 22 lbs
Tube diameters: 28,25,22,19 mm
Leg tube diameter 22mm.
Maximum leg spread 50.2" Closed length 37.8"
Congratulations!