Some input on this portrait.

Brian L · 12-01-2009, 02:50 AM

Hello everyone! I would like to know your thoughts on this portrait I did of a friend. She let me take some shots to practice what not. Give me some input on the photo. Creative not. Neat shot. So forth. Thanks guys. I want to know if I am improving.

AnotherNewGuy · 12-01-2009, 07:38 AM

I'll provide my opinion. Keep in mind, I am not as experience or critical as many on here.

Like the warm colors.

She should be a little off of the wall. At least that is feedback I see a lot of.

Smooth lighting, feminine pose.

Slightly boring to me though. Might need stronger catchlights. I always use the dodge tool on the eyes to bring them out. Otherwise good job.

WimFoto · 12-01-2009, 09:28 AM

it's a good photograph, hair matching the jacket and stone in the background.
but a little dull, too straight on, i would like to see some creative angles, perhaps a tilt. lighting is a little cold.
if you have others from this session perhaps you could post those.

Mike_E · 12-01-2009, 09:51 AM

Her forehead and the light gray of the wall are are practically in the same zone.

Try masking her out and lowering the exposure of the wall a bit for better separation. Once you've done that try a warming filter.

Overall a good effort though.

bennielou · 12-01-2009, 11:44 AM

Pop the colors a bit via layers. I think you will like the results.

Katelyn.Rose · 12-01-2009, 12:20 PM

Very nice photo! I think your model blends a little into the background. I think the colours of the wall or of the model, need to be strengthened a little.. Just to give it more of a Wow factor. But overall, I like the basic approach.

Shockey · 12-03-2009, 08:55 PM

A nice safe portrait. Could use some more color and pop.
Nice photo.

Brian L · 12-05-2009, 04:22 AM

Hey sorry guys got busy the last couple of days so couldn't get back on here. Thanks for the info on everything. I will play with a bit more with some of your input. Benn what do you mean pop with layers a bit. I have not herd of that before... Thanks

dzfoto · 12-05-2009, 01:00 PM

Technically its ok. Artistically could be more improved (maybe different angle, more insteresting pose, action etc..)
IMHO

Dwig · 12-05-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Brian L

Hello everyone! I would like to know your thoughts on this portrait I did of a friend. She let me take some shots to practice what not. Give me some input on the photo. Creative not. Neat shot. So forth. Thanks guys. I want to know if I am improving.

I find the mid-thigh cropping uncomfortable and the signature bar only makes it more distracting.

The soft lighting is, in general, effective but the total lack of any catchlight in the eyes leaves an overly dull and lifeless impression. A small, slightly off camera light source, quite possibly a flash, dim enough to only provide slight highlights (e.g. shine on the lips, highlights on the skin, ...) would do much to provide some direction in the lighting and the needed catchlight.

Brian L · 12-05-2009, 11:47 PM

Thanks dz and dwig. I am always trying to improve.

12-01-2009, 02:50 AM	#1
Brian L I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 374 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Some input on this portrait. Hello everyone! I would like to know your thoughts on this portrait I did of a friend. She let me take some shots to practice what not. Give me some input on the photo. Creative not. Neat shot. So forth. Thanks guys. I want to know if I am improving. __________________ Learning more and more everyday about photography!!!! The most important thing is you remember to have fun!

12-01-2009, 07:38 AM	#2
AnotherNewGuy I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SW FL Posts: 252 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I'll provide my opinion. Keep in mind, I am not as experience or critical as many on here. Like the warm colors. She should be a little off of the wall. At least that is feedback I see a lot of. Smooth lighting, feminine pose. Slightly boring to me though. Might need stronger catchlights. I always use the dodge tool on the eyes to bring them out. Otherwise good job. __________________ Nikon D300s SB600 ELITEPHOTOGRAPHICS.NET

12-01-2009, 09:28 AM	#3
WimFoto I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chelsea, quebec Posts: 351 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts My Gallery: (2)	it's a good photograph, hair matching the jacket and stone in the background. but a little dull, too straight on, i would like to see some creative angles, perhaps a tilt. lighting is a little cold. if you have others from this session perhaps you could post those. __________________ http://www.wimfotocards.blogspot.com

12-01-2009, 09:51 AM	#4
Mike_E TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Upper West Side of Mississippi (you have no idea just how funny that is) Posts: 3,259 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Her forehead and the light gray of the wall are are practically in the same zone. Try masking her out and lowering the exposure of the wall a bit for better separation. Once you've done that try a warming filter. Overall a good effort though. __________________ Of Course that's my opinion, who else would say something like that?

12-05-2009, 04:22 AM	#8
Brian L I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 374 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Hey sorry guys got busy the last couple of days so couldn't get back on here. Thanks for the info on everything. I will play with a bit more with some of your input. Benn what do you mean pop with layers a bit. I have not herd of that before... Thanks __________________ Learning more and more everyday about photography!!!! The most important thing is you remember to have fun!

12-01-2009, 11:44 AM	#5
bennielou I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 324 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Pop the colors a bit via layers. I think you will like the results.

12-01-2009, 12:20 PM	#6
Katelyn.Rose No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Posts: 26 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Very nice photo! I think your model blends a little into the background. I think the colours of the wall or of the model, need to be strengthened a little.. Just to give it more of a Wow factor. But overall, I like the basic approach.

12-03-2009, 08:55 PM	#7
Shockey I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boise Idaho Posts: 378 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts My Gallery: (30)	A nice safe portrait. Could use some more color and pop. Nice photo.

12-05-2009, 01:00 PM	#9
dzfoto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lithuania Posts: 60 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (21)	Technically its ok. Artistically could be more improved (maybe different angle, more insteresting pose, action etc..) IMHO __________________ Donatas Zasciurinskas photography Websites www.dz-foto.lt \| www.dz-studio.lt Blog blog.dz-foto.lt dz-foto on facebook www.facebook.com/

12-05-2009, 04:50 PM	#10
Dwig TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Key West FL Posts: 1,058 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 72 Times in 70 Posts My Gallery: (10)	Quote: Originally Posted by Brian L Hello everyone! I would like to know your thoughts on this portrait I did of a friend. She let me take some shots to practice what not. Give me some input on the photo. Creative not. Neat shot. So forth. Thanks guys. I want to know if I am improving. I find the mid-thigh cropping uncomfortable and the signature bar only makes it more distracting. The soft lighting is, in general, effective but the total lack of any catchlight in the eyes leaves an overly dull and lifeless impression. A small, slightly off camera light source, quite possibly a flash, dim enough to only provide slight highlights (e.g. shine on the lips, highlights on the skin, ...) would do much to provide some direction in the lighting and the needed catchlight. __________________ -------- Dwig happythursday.com

12-05-2009, 11:47 PM	#11
Brian L I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 374 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks dz and dwig. I am always trying to improve. __________________ Learning more and more everyday about photography!!!! The most important thing is you remember to have fun!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode