Alexis- Black and White Portrait

DanOstergren · May 28, 2015

I'm attempting to break my habit of over-retouching my portraits. I did a very minimal amount of skin retouching to these.

Captured in natural light.

EOS 5D MKI
135mm @f/2
1/400th sec
ISO 800

DarkShadow · May 28, 2015

Very Very Nice Dan. I love they way you use natural light to your advantage,well done.

bribrius · May 28, 2015

Not a pro at portraits. But this looks really good to me. Little white fuzzy line on the back of her shoulder (maybe from the sweater?) and the sweater wrinkle in the bottom right hand corner seems a strange bubble to her back.. Other than that, minor (maybe petty) things. I really cant find anything particularly wrong with it. Maybe a little different less of a twist or hair on this side would hide that neck wrinkle? Sweater collar just a little higher? Either way. nice work.

ronlane · May 28, 2015

Very nice work Dan.

Scatterbrained · May 28, 2015

Lovely light. For me the skin texture on the face is a bit overdone, but otherwise spot on.

DanOstergren · May 28, 2015

bribrius said:
Not a pro at portraits. But this looks really good to me. Little white fuzzy line on the back of her shoulder (maybe from the sweater?) and the sweater wrinkle in the bottom right hand corner seems a strange bubble to her back.. Other than that, minor (maybe petty) things. I really cant find anything particularly wrong with it. Maybe a little different less of a twist or hair on this side would hide that neck wrinkle? Sweater collar just a little higher? Either way. nice work.

Not seeing the fuzzy line, but I do see what you mean about the crease in her neck and the wrinkle; I'll see if I can do something about it.

Scatterbrained said:
Lovely light. For me the skin texture on the face is a bit overdone, but otherwise spot on.

Thank you. I agree, I'm going to take this one back into photoshop and make some adjustments. It's her actual skin texture, but I may have over-sharpened.

weepete · May 28, 2015

All the right light in all the right places. Very nice work indeed Dan.

DanOstergren · May 29, 2015

weepete said:
All the right light in all the right places. Very nice work indeed Dan.

Thank you.

FITBMX · May 29, 2015

Your work makes me wonder why anyone ever needs lighting! :Hail.sml:

Great photographer+Beautiful model= A incredible photo!!! :headbang:

DanOstergren · May 30, 2015

FITBMX said:
Your work makes me wonder why anyone ever needs lighting!

Great photographer+Beautiful model= A incredible photo!!!

Hahaha, thank you. I've actually been considering investing in studio lighting. Just a single light is all I think I'll need, maybe two.

FITBMX · May 30, 2015

DanOstergren said:
FITBMX said:

Your work makes me wonder why anyone ever needs lighting!

Great photographer+Beautiful model= A incredible photo!!!

Click to expand...

Hahaha, thank you. I've actually been considering investing in studio lighting. Just a single light is all I think I'll need, maybe two.

Just for some fill light, in darker locations?
Do you use reflectors in your natural light work?

DanOstergren · May 30, 2015

FITBMX said:
DanOstergren said:

FITBMX said:

Your work makes me wonder why anyone ever needs lighting!

Great photographer+Beautiful model= A incredible photo!!!

Click to expand...

Hahaha, thank you. I've actually been considering investing in studio lighting. Just a single light is all I think I'll need, maybe two.

Click to expand...

Just for some fill light, in darker locations?
Do you use reflectors in your natural light work?

Definitely not for fill, lol. I'm envisioning some indoor shots, and rather than having to find the right window I want to just make the perfect lighting myself.

I do use reflectors, but very seldomly.