First Serious portrait

[Corey123]

This is the first portrait I ever really made with proper studio lighting.

you can view the entire set here Portraits - a set on Flickr

 

[SpeedTrap]

I am only going to C&C the one you posted here.
The lighting is good for this style of shot.

It is a good start, but as a whole I do not feel any connection with the subject, it seems like he is looking to your left, as well getting him to lift his chin a bit would have made a big difference to give him a neck.

 

[SrBiscuit]

foreheads a bit hot, but overall nice lighting.

 

[BKMOOD]

Light ratios are a little too high for my tastes. Of course if a harsh look was your aim, then you have succeeded.

 

[Derrel]

The guy looks quite pink. How does it look on your monitor? To me the skin tone is very far off from acceptable if you were going for a normal-ish look, and not nearly far off enough if you were striving for an outlandish look.

 

[Corey123]

I appreciate all of your feedback. I haven't really noticed the neck situation, but I'm definitely going to pay more attention to the subject's head position. Also I agree that even with the soft box, his forehead came out a little overexposed, but I also did a lot of adjustments in photoshop, making the color seem a little more sepia-like, and lightly strengthening the shadows.
Also here's a small example of something that I've done with natural colors, and a more full lighting situation.

 

[JimmyO]

Lighting is too hot, not feeling the black shirt against gray. Light tone looks a lil magentaish too

 

[BKMOOD]

Try using a grey card for correct white balance and exspsure.

 

[Little Vintage]

As others have pointed out the lighting is to hard (well for my personal tastes anyway) and the tones are very pinky. The only other thing I would add is that the subject eyes look lifeless. I would prefer to see some catch lights and a bit more definition to them.

 

[Corey123]

With that being my first, here's a similar pic that I took a little later with much better lighting

This guy really enjoyed and respected the process, and I guess it really shows in the final product.

 

[gian133]

I think its a little too dark on his right jawline. The black sweater and grey background just makes it blend too much for me.

I like the lighting on the other b&w.

THe portrait with the green background. I dont like how the sides of his head are brighter than the center of his face. Eyes forehead nose are dark. I'm just guessing its a 2 light. Maybe bring the key more in front of him.

Hope that helps.
-Gian