Beauty w/ DIY Softbox C&C!

[christop]

I think her nose and forehead look slightly exaggerated in all of the shots. I'd try to stand farther away from her to get a more pleasing perspective.

Just taking wild guesses here (and assuming you didn't crop these shots very much)... it looks like the camera was less than 2 meters away with the lens's maximum focal length (85mm). Portraits are usually more flattering at, say, 3-5 meters away (farther is generally better). At those distances you'll either need to crop or get a lens with a longer focal length to get the same framing.

 

[amolitor]

The softbox looks WAY too nice to be a DIY project

Mine is made out of cardboard and it SHOWS!

 

[PhillipM]

I don't see it as a beauty shot, but to each their own I say...

 

[TimothyPeacock]

I like #2 the best. I think if you softened the skin in it like was mentioned in the other posts, it would be the best of the bunch.

I have swapped out the photos in the first post for some softer edits...do you think they are any better or have I been a little too sensitive with the softening?

I think her nose and forehead look slightly exaggerated in all of the shots. I'd try to stand farther away from her to get a more pleasing perspective.

Just taking wild guesses here (and assuming you didn't crop these shots very much)... it looks like the camera was less than 2 meters away with the lens's maximum focal length (85mm). Portraits are usually more flattering at, say, 3-5 meters away (farther is generally better). At those distances you'll either need to crop or get a lens with a longer focal length to get the same framing.

Thanks for the feedback, not something that I had clocked onto, thank you! The room I was shooting in isn't the longest next time I'll try with the 70-300 lens and try hit more at the 100/120mm range from a further distance!

The softbox looks WAY too nice to be a DIY project

Mine is made out of cardboard and it SHOWS!

Haha, Thanks! The day job in Theatre makes me fairly handy with model making and construction; and leaves foamboard and tracing paper lying around!

I don't see it as a beauty shot, but to each their own I say...

Fair enough and thank you for the opinion, would you say that's because of the texture/coarseness. I have posted some edits which soften the images up slightly in the original post; do you think they are better?


Thanks again for all of your comments, it really is appreciated. Lots of notes being taken for next time!

 

[ash12783]

They aren't bad but I think for me personally I find it more pleasing with a little color put back into it- the overall image was a little to gray to me - and nice job on that softbox! Here's my edit- I may have gone a bit too far with it but it gives you an idea how a little more color could help the image.

 

[MyHobby]

I know nothing about photography but alot about make-up. I also know cameras washes alot of the make up off. I know the look she was going after. She might want to try smoking her eyes and the catline more near the end of her eye. Also, blush is a must. Might want to try nude lipstick with dark eye shadows or vise versa. Myself, I would have liked a black background instead of bright to give a mystery look. (I know this forum is not about make up, just thought I share)