Another portrait (4 versions)

LaFoto · Jul 6, 2005

This is not a candid portrait. This one shows you my god-son on his confirmation day, and his mother (who happens to be my best friend) had asked me on the spur of the moment if I could take some photos of her son for the Thank-You-Cards.

So although this was a "planned portrait shoot", there was NO equipment there, of course, other than my cameras. I took many more than these four, whole body pics as well, digitally and on film, and what I am showing you here are scans from prints - and all I can tell is that I used the on-camera flash to fill in and give his eyes some reflection ... I forgot about all the other settings, though.

What critique do you have - also the professional portrait photographers! - and what will I have to watch in the future (in which my equipment will NOT grow by anything, I'm afraid)...

(not the regular portrait style, horizontal pic, though I personally like this better than the upright portrait photos)

DaphneOracle · Jul 6, 2005

I like number 4. The portrait orientation just wins with me. I also like the more serious look which seems to go along well with the confirmation. But you still capture a certain boyishness, probably because of the slightly tossled hair.

Bryant

DramaDork626 · Jul 6, 2005

I like portrait number 4. His expression is more interesting. He does have much expression in the first one, and the other two look like he is grinning for a commercial.

Christie Photo · Jul 6, 2005

Nice work, Corinna!

The pose on the last is the strongest. He appears to be leaning backward a bit on the first three. Maybe you can rotate these a bit to offset that feeling.

The background is a great success. Good ratio of light from subject to background.

I want to back up just a bit so the lines of his lapels can resolve.

And, as usuall, I advise just a bit of retouching... softening the shadows under the eyes.

The overall lighting is a bit flat. When I'm faced with this, I look for some dense leaves to block the overhead light, leaving the light from the side as my "main light."

A bit of vignetting will help too, either while shooting or in Photoshop.

Good choice of focal legnth. Nice range of expressions.

-Pete

elsaspet · Jul 6, 2005

Oh, I love the fourth. What a wonderful expression. You've done a nice job with blurring out the back too. The eyes seemed a little soft on the first few, but that could have just been his eyeglasses and the angle with which he was facing. The fourth one rocks!