Honest Opinion

BrieKayee · May 9, 2013

Hey guys,

So for my next assignment, I need to take six portrait photos and ask people their honest opinions. So I am wondering if anyone could give me their honest opinions on these two photos.

Cheers

1.

2.

CowgirlMama · May 9, 2013

The first has a white balance problem... Her skin has a green hue to it.

I like the second, though I'd like to see just a little more of her face.

kathyt · May 9, 2013

I agree with cowgirlMama. Skin tones are pretty wonky on the first one, but I like the composition of the image. Her eyes are beautiful. The focus is a bit soft. If you do an image like the second, we need to see more of the eyes to pull it off.

Trever1t · May 9, 2013

#1 makes pretty good use of the diagonals, not quite perfect but good. As mentioned color is 'wonky'

#2 all you needed to do was show just a wee bit more face, you are hiding more than half her nose and lips.

texkam · May 9, 2013

May not be on purpose, but the wonky color kinda works for me on this image, but I also would like to see it sharp. #2 doesn't speak to me at all.

sarah_19_nz · May 10, 2013

1st image, would like to see the green hue dialed back and maybe a little more warmth. Also the eyes need to be sharper (in focus). The top of the head in the frame would also please my eye.

2nd image, Definitely need to see a little more of her face, perhaps her 'peeking' around the corner with more mouth and nose showing would be cool?

Designer · May 10, 2013

Honestly?

#1 WB has already been mentioned. Unflattering to pose a woman's hand so prominently. Cropped way too tight at the top.

#2 Unfair to hide a woman's face behind a tree.

DarkShadow · May 10, 2013

I agree with what was said above and there is some Onion Bokeh in photo 1 but is it the lens or something in the back.

amolitor · May 10, 2013

I'd like to see a little more on the top of the frame in both of these. But both pretty nice, in their own way. They both express some idea of personality (whether the "true" personality of the subject or not, I don't know and don't much care, the point is that some personality is presented).

Nahin · May 11, 2013

Yeah CowgirlMama you are absolutely right. First one is nice but have no idea about second one.

kanuski · May 11, 2013

The first one is blah but I really like the second one. It probably breaks a bunch of rules but it is focused and clear and it tells a story.

LaFoto · May 12, 2013

DarkShadow said:
...there is some Onion Bokeh in photo 1...

What is THAT? "Onion bokeh"? I have never so far heard of that? Could you explain?

The idea of #2 is nice and goes well with her face and outfit, but I feel that if you want to show her hiding behind a tree, the full half of her face should show.

No need to further mention the colour cast in #1.
Why is presenting a hand unflattering? Is it? She has nice hands, slim fingers... Are there rules in books on portraiture (I know next to nothing about proper portraiture, you know?)

DarkShadow · May 12, 2013

LaFoto said:
DarkShadow said:

...there is some Onion Bokeh in photo 1...

Click to expand...

What is THAT? "Onion bokeh"? I have never so far heard of that? Could you explain?

The idea of #2 is nice and goes well with her face and outfit, but I feel that if you want to show her hiding behind a tree, the full half of her face should show.

No need to further mention the colour cast in #1.
Why is presenting a hand unflattering? Is it? She has nice hands, slim fingers... Are there rules in books on portraiture (I know next to nothing about proper portraiture, you know?)

Onion Bokeh is something I read up on when looking and reading up on some lenses. One here for example. TR Forums ? View topic - Onion Bokeh?

LaFoto · May 12, 2013

Ah, thanks for the link, now I see! I have lenses that create that self-same effect. Apparently, it's a sort of bokeh you DO NOT look for!?

pixmedic · May 12, 2013

LaFoto said:
Ah, thanks for the link, now I see! I have lenses that create that self-same effect. Apparently, it's a sort of bokeh you DO NOT look for!?

"onion bokeh" is a term used by people that have broken the characteristics of bokeh into every little detail possible in order to nitpick it to death.
To me, bokeh only has two options. pleasing and not pleasing. I don't really break it down any more than that. unless you are going to buy a new lens, there really isn't much you can do to change how your bokeh is shaped.

In #1, the bokeh where you can actually make out the shapes (or any detail at all) is a very small part of the photo. noticeable, but small. I find the bokeh here pleasing, and not at all distracting. Nor do I think it detracts from the image in any way. (except maybe in the most technical pixel peeping way possible)
I think people that spend that much time analyzing and critiquing every little bokeh characteristic have probably missed the photo as a whole.

however, if you want to see some examples of some different bokehs between a sigma and canon lens...
Sigma and Canon 50mm f/1.4 bokeh samples - FM Forums