High Key Portrait

[oldmacman]

Was shot as a horizontal and cropped to portrait which is why it is a little tight.

Canon 5D
24-105 4L at 105mm, 4
Softbox with strobe high camera left
Whiteboard reflector camera right
Strobe fire into white back drop

 

[Christie Photo]

Yes... that's a high key portrait. Are you looking for a critique?

-Pete

 

[Light Artisan]

Err, a 'liittle' tight?

I'd probably like it, but the crop ruins it for me... if it's High Key why not just add additional white space around the top and sides at least?

 

[Robin Usagani]

Err, a 'liittle' tight?

I'd probably like it, but the crop ruins it for me... if it's High Key why not just add additional white space around the top and sides at least?

read the OP lol

 

[oldmacman]

Err, a 'liittle' tight?

I'd probably like it, but the crop ruins it for me... if it's High Key why not just add additional white space around the top and sides at least?

Thanks for looking. Yeah, the best I can do is a square crop because there is no information below the current lowest point and it would look odd with too much head room.

@Christie Photo - C&C is always welcome. Interesting fact: I have no comments on the last 5 or six image posts and in each one I indicated C&C welcome. Thanks for looking and checking in.

Thanks for looking, Schwettylens.

 

[kundalini]

I prefer the portrait crop. The square crop hides the fact that edge definition is lost on the head piece and the rolled shoulder offers an different emotion...... less confidence IMO. Otherwise, nicely done, great focus.

 

[oldmacman]

I prefer the portrait crop. The square crop hides the fact that edge definition is lost on the head piece and the rolled shoulder offers an different emotion...... less confidence IMO. Otherwise, nicely done, great focus.

Thanks for the feedback... much appreciated.

 

[Christie Photo]

@Christie Photo - C&C is always welcome. Interesting fact: I have no comments on the last 5 or six image posts and in each one I indicated C&C welcome. Thanks for looking and checking in.

It figures, huh? Needless to say I don't get to view every thread, and I sure didn't want to offer uninvited criticism.

Actually, it was the thread title that got me to take a look. So often here, the term high key is used incorrectly.

I too feel the cropped version is a bit too tight. What struck me first was the lighting and model... both very nice for high key. Is that a fairly large, round reflector I'm seeing? Then I thought the symmetrical composition was an interesting choice, but wondered at the same time if a bit of motion... just a slight tip of her head might have added to the appeal.

When I saw the square crop, it confirmed what I suspected from viewing the first... that the rest of her clothing is out of key. So cropping in close as you did is one way to address that.

A nice, clean shot. Nicely done.

-Pete

 

[oldmacman]

@Christie Photo - C&C is always welcome. Interesting fact: I have no comments on the last 5 or six image posts and in each one I indicated C&C welcome. Thanks for looking and checking in.

It figures, huh? Needless to say I don't get to view every thread, and I sure didn't want to offer uninvited criticism.

Actually, it was the thread title that got me to take a look. So often here, the term high key is used incorrectly.

I too feel the cropped version is a bit too tight. What struck me first was the lighting and model... both very nice for high key. Is that a fairly large, round reflector I'm seeing? Then I thought the symmetrical composition was an interesting choice, but wondered at the same time if a bit of motion... just a slight tip of her head might have added to the appeal.

When I saw the square crop, it confirmed what I suspected from viewing the first... that the rest of her clothing is out of key. So cropping in close as you did is one way to address that.

A nice, clean shot. Nicely done.

-Pete

Thanks for taking the time to come back. I think I have posted before how much I respect your opinion, so please, always feel free to comment on anything I post... It can only help.

The brighter spot on her eyes is a rectangular softbox. The reflector is the duller reflection in the bottom portion of the eyes. We used a big piece of foam core for that.

 

[Christie Photo]

The reflector is the duller reflection in the bottom portion of the eyes. We used a big piece of foam core for that.

Yeah... that's the one I was looking at.

Again, nicely done. And thanks for the kind words.

-Pete

 

[boomersgot3]

Looks a little blown in the back. can you move your SS up a bit?

 

[Over Exposed]

The only thing I haven't seen mentioned is the catch and reflector appearance. For me, the square softbox catch lights really detract from the shot. Especially since her eyes are so lovely. I can also see the reflection of the reflector used and it's square definition as well. Perhaps giving it another go with a octobox or beauty dish with a round reflector.