1st self portrait that I sort of like

AprilRamone · Jan 25, 2006

Hey Everyone,
I needed a more recent picture of me so I did a short session with myself just yesterday. This is one of the ones I sort of like. Does anyone out there have any suggestions as far as lighting goes? I was trying to do what I think I've heard being called "butterfly lighting" where it's above the subject and directly in front. It looks like it was still a bit to the side though. I was trying to minimize my big nose! Other suggestions are welcome also.

photo gal · Jan 25, 2006

You're beautiful girl! Nice shot! : )

JohnMF · Jan 25, 2006

it might be my monitor, but your hair seems to blend abit too much into the background. Maybe a light behind you also would help catch the outline of you hair.

AprilRamone · Jan 25, 2006

Thanks for the tip John. I have to take some full length ones too so I will probably try that tomorrow.
And photogal Thank you!

Mansi · Jan 27, 2006

i agree with johnmf about the hair blending into the bg waay too much!
beautiful pic

youre darn pretty.. nice one

Chase · Jan 27, 2006

I'm so boring, but I totally agree with the others

Verbal · Jan 27, 2006

Very pretty! =)

wclement7 · Jan 27, 2006

you single?? haha jk! great foto though!

JonK · Jan 27, 2006

sweet shot AR

..mebbe a bit dark on the BG...little light back there would solve the prob in a jiffy.

AprilRamone · Jan 31, 2006

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I gotta try lighting up the background next time. One more question, as I stare at it, it seems like the random hair all over my shoulders is really distracting. Do you think it would be worth it to clone it all out in PS? Or is it fine the way it is?

JohnMF · Feb 1, 2006

I think there would be no harm in cloning out the random hair as long as you can do a good job of it, and keep it looking natural.

Also, looking at it again, i think it has a little bit of a yellowish/warmish cast to it. i dont know if that's what you were going for, but that could be easily solved in photoshop too.

dont forget to post the results

AprilRamone · Feb 1, 2006

Well, I guess I don't have a lot of patience for the clone tool because I don't think it looks very natural without the hair. But, I did get rid of some of the warmth and I think it looks a lot better. Thanks John!