A portrait of a woman using natural light cc welcome

[leala]

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

These could all benefit from fill flash.

 

[skieur]

Photographically amputating a portrait subject at the joints is a definite NO, NO. You have cut her off at the elbows in #1, elbow and wrist in #2, elbows in #3, etc. A straight on photo makes a subject look more like a football player which is not flattering for a woman as in #2, and #3. An angle to the shoulders would be more flattering. As mentioned a fill flash or a reflector would result in a better shot. The background in number 1 is too busy and could benefit from less depth of field with the requisite f. 2.8 to 3.5 approximately.

 

[Trever1t]

First of all, I almost NEVER use fill flash or a reflector on any of my natural light location shoots and I do just fine


OP, your images all suffer from a lack of understanding your cameras metering system. Think about it, what is your subject? The woman, yes? Then set your exposure FOR your subject. To me it looks like you've used an auto exposure setting and not regarded that your backgrounds are brighter. I always expose for my subject and choose my backgrounds accordingly.

Yes, you are taking a portrait, it's almost always best to use PORTRAIT camera orientation unless the background is equally important...in these example it is clearly not.

Keep at it, it comes with time and practice.

 

[KmH]

You might do fine without fill flash or reflectors, but she didn't.
In 3 of the photos posted the subjects face is badly under exposed.
Using flash and/or reflectors expands the range of lighting conditions that can be used, and is part of the total skill set many photographers aspire to..

Your explanation of the applicable considerations regarding metering are right on.

Direction & Quality of Light: Your Key to Better Portrait Photography Anywhere
Chasing the Light: Improving Your Photography with Available Light (Voices That Matter)
Doug Box's Available Light Photography: Techniques for Digital Photographers

Camera perspective and posing can be used to make people look more svelt.
Step-by-Step Posing for Portrait Photography: Simple Lessons for Quick Learning and Reference
Doug Box's Guide to Posing for Portrait Photographers

 

[Trever1t]

I find it much easier to keep it as simple as possible. I see many struggle and make life more complex by adding flash or other light modifiers BEFORE they learn the equipment they already hold. There are times (when I have assistants) that I will use lighting and reflectors but normally I work alone and make do with what I can hold in my hands.

 

[KmH]

I too often worked alone on location, but used a variety of tools to supplement my hands.
With practice, setting up didn't take long at all.

Besides, by using more gear, I could charge a lot more.

 

[rexbobcat]

Yeah I can attest to that. Self proclaimed "natural light" photogs are so abundant in my area that if you are the 1 guy who can use off camera flash well in varied environments you're like the photographic Jesus.

And everyone hates you.

But that's just around here. Lol

 

[Pallycow]

First of all, I almost NEVER use fill flash or a reflector on any of my natural light location shoots and I do just fine

Trev, I love ya man, and your work...but think how much better your work could and would be with a simple reflector...or even fill flash. But at a minimum a reflector.

There have been some struggles you've had with some of your stuff that a reflector could have helped immensely, in dealing with skin tone issues.

...food for thought man.

 

[Pallycow]

btw, they make reflectors that stand on their own...barring windy days. also stands, like flash stands, that hold them. Many options...for those without assistants.

 

[Derrel]

I never wear seatbelts. They are for sissies.

The woman's in backlight, in open shade. I would suggest simply giving MORE exposure to her, and thus lightening up her face, and creating brighter, more airy-looking backgrounds. With the camera in vertical orientation...cough,cough...

 

[Granddad]

On behalf of the others, welcome to the forum, Leala.

Good advice above, if you can take honest C&C you can learn a lot here, it's a better learning environment than most colleges.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

#2 has super dark background and the sun act like a rim light. Just expose it a stop higher, perfect. No flash is needed.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

P.S. i never have an assistant at my family portraits I have shared here.

 

[Granddad]

Like this, Robin?
Adjusted the exposure in Lightroom 3 and a tighter crop. 5 minutes. It could go tighter on the crop or possibly to a 1 x 1 ratio. Landscape required chopping more bits off.