FIRST POST EVER! Would love some feedback please!

[JessicaLee]

m

 

[Braineack]

cropped differently and some sharpening applied, it's not a bad start.

the current weakness is the distracting background and the odd framing.

 

[mmaria]

completely with Braineack here

watch for your background next time and search a bit about posing

 

[Austin Greene]

We're famous here at TPF for no-BS critique, so here's my 2 cents:

The bad:

• Odd framing, his abdomen looks disproportionately tall, takes most most of the frame and makes his head look quite small
• Focus is off. See how blurry his eyes are?
• Bright spot behind his head is distracting, you need a better background.
• You chopped off his arms

The good:

• ​It's a good start, better than most!
• You're actually taking portraits. Too many people talk, but never shoot, let alone post their images.
• The colors as a whole are pleasing. You didn't oversaturate anything.

One last note, you mention "minimal processing in LR5." I'm not sure if this is you thinking that "editing" is a sign of a poor photographer, or somehow diminishes one's skill behind the camera, but if it is, get over that thought now. If you are shooting in RAW (and you should be), then processing in a program such as Lightroom is a must, no exceptions. Also, be wary of using the words like "professional" on this or any forum, it might make people think you're considering doing paid work, which this photo (while being a good start) comes nowhere near in terms of quality or execution. Like I said, it's good start, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[mmaria]

togalive, you should comment more on other people's work. You're doing that great

 

[ronlane]

welcome from another TPF'er that is in the metro area. Not much to add to the comments above other than take their advice and keep shooting.

 

[JessicaLee]

Togalive, Thank you for your (as well as the others) comment! I honestly appreciate it! I definitely don't think editing is is bad or a crutch, I was just implying that I had already tweaked it in case anyone was going to suggest that, as someone just starting out, I get editing software or so they could tell me how to fix it such as sharpness, etc. But I suppose I should just assume everyone already edits before posting! (Big newbie here like I said). And yes I am shooting in RAW And while I agree that this photo would never be close to being as good as paid work, I won't lie and say I'm not trying to get there someday which is exactly why I'm here. Thanks again and I look forward to more of your suggestions!

 

[Braineack]

since you shot raw, there is no sharpening applied to the image, and it's very apparent. Go ahead and bump the slider out to maybe 40 in LR, with the default settings, and see how that looks. Are you using a camera profile? It should at least be bumping it a little based on that to remove the anti-aliasing, but i almost always take it a touch further.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Think about where he's standing in relation to the tree and sky; if you move and change your vantage point that 'moves' what you see in your viewfinder - check that and make sure everything is in the frame the way you want it before you release the shutter. As mentioned the brightness to the left (his right) doesn't make for a good background and might have thrown off your exposure.

Think about how you're framing shots and make sure you're getting proper exposures to minimize the need for editing.

 

[JessicaLee]

Great tips everyone! Ever since putting my DSLR to manual I have been so focused on lighting and exposure that I find it easy to lose track of the composition and the picture as a whole. All a part of the learning process I'm sure. Much thanks!

 

[Designer]

This is a quick shot I did of my husband and I was wondering if it actually looked somewhat professional?? I did minimal processing in LR 5 already. I am obviously a newbie and I'd (nervously) love some critiques/comments/feedback. Thanks guys

Sorry, no.

You probably should try again.

1. better background
2. better (lower) camera position Or have the model sit
3. decide on what light to use based on the use for the portrait. This amount of light and the lack of "modeling" is o.k. for his ID picture, but probably not the best for submission to a hospital periodical.
4. either iron the shirt or at least smooth out some of the larger bumps
5. again, depending on the intended use, he might want to smooth his hair

 

[JacaRanda]

In addition to watching out for what is in your backgrounds (or choosing better backgrounds), also keep in mind the distance your subject is from the background. Looks like you used a small F number which factored into his left eye being sharp, but his left ear being out of focus nearly as much as the tree behind him.

Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

 

[JessicaLee]

This is a quick shot I did of my husband and I was wondering if it actually looked somewhat professional?? I did minimal processing in LR 5 already. I am obviously a newbie and I'd (nervously) love some critiques/comments/feedback. Thanks guys

Sorry, no.

You probably should try again.

1. better background
2. better (lower) camera position Or have the model sit
3. decide on what light to use based on the use for the portrait. This amount of light and the lack of "modeling" is o.k. for his ID picture, but probably not the best for submission to a hospital periodical.
4. either iron the shirt or at least smooth out some of the larger bumps
5. again, depending on the intended use, he might want to smooth his hair

Sorry I was not very specific when I set up this picture for you all. This was just when he came home from school after an 8 hour day (the scrubs are his "uniform") so I was not trying to create a professional looking shot, it was just a pretty evening and we were having fun in the yard. I agree the camera position isn't ideal, but how would you suggest that me being 5'3 get nice looking close ups with a prime lens without always having them sit or me having a stool of some sort? Again, I truly appreciate the feedback

 

[sashbar]

Watch for your background and try to separate the subject from it. If you look closely you will see that his neck blends into the background due to the lack of contrast, and his hair unfortunately have similarly dark background. Select a background than gives you more contrast.
Ensure it is more consistent/aesthetically pleasing. Avoid situations of a split background , such as here, where you have the trunk on one side of his head and basically no background on the opposite side.
To properly separate your subject from the background, move your subject several steps away from it and select aperture accordingly, then it will be properly blurred.
Consider leaving some more space above his head, try to frame the shot so that everything looks proportional, including the subject/background ratio, avoid the so called "footballers shoulders", turn his body a bit but ask him to keep his head straight (if you want that, or you can turn hit head a little bit as well).
Watch for the pleasing side light that will give you good shadows and 3D look. Try to shoot at the eye level to avoid a raised chin and focus for the eyes or the nearer eye. Read about different kinds of portraiture light, such as Rembrandt, loop, broad, split, butterfly and keep it in mind when evaluating the lighting conditions and it's effect on your portrait.
Select the shutter speed that gives you the low ISO but allows to avoid any camera shake if you shoot hand held.

If you follow these basic principles you will start approaching something that may (and may not) look like professional.

It is not a bad quick amateur shot, a lot would do worse in your place, but do not fool yourself thinking that a good camera will make your quickies look "somewhat professional".

And I am not even a professional, and I do not do portraiture. Any pro will give you a ton of further advice.

PS. Yes, and what a handsome guy!

 

[Designer]

This is a quick shot I did of my husband and I was wondering if it actually looked somewhat professional?? I did minimal processing in LR 5 already. I am obviously a newbie and I'd (nervously) love some critiques/comments/feedback. Thanks guys

Sorry, no.

You probably should try again.

1. better background
2. better (lower) camera position Or have the model sit
3. decide on what light to use based on the use for the portrait. This amount of light and the lack of "modeling" is o.k. for his ID picture, but probably not the best for submission to a hospital periodical.
4. either iron the shirt or at least smooth out some of the larger bumps
5. again, depending on the intended use, he might want to smooth his hair

Sorry I was not very specific when I set up this picture for you all. This was just when he came home from school after an 8 hour day (the scrubs are his "uniform") so I was not trying to create a professional looking shot, it was just a pretty evening and we were having fun in the yard. I agree the camera position isn't ideal, but how would you suggest that me being 5'3 get nice looking close ups with a prime lens without always having them sit or me having a stool of some sort? Again, I truly appreciate the feedback

As to the camera position, yes, you are expected to jump up onto a stool or small ladder. Or ask your subject to sit. Note: the camera then may be too high, meaning that you will then have to scrunch down some.

As for the "closeup", I see that you used your 35mm lens. Please note: a wide angle lens, particularly if held close to the subject, tends to introduce distortion. Do you have another lens to use? I think somewhere between 50mm and 100mm would be very nice. Also, if the 35mm is your only lens, be aware that you really don't have to always fill the frame for every shot. If you just step back a ways and take the shot, you can crop later to make a very nice head and shoulders portrait.