Low key self-portrait, critique welcomed.

TheMightyGoat · May 17, 2009

I find I have a hard time with self portraits, due in part to being ugly, but for factors within my control I invite critique.

I took this last night. Suggestions?

sburatorul · May 17, 2009

well... it is sharp but i am not fond of the lighting. i also think there is to much empty space at the top.

the pose isn't really flattering, i know you have to hold the camera but it makes your shoulders look weird and combined with the poor lighting its even weirder. sorry if i seem harsh but i'm telling you this with the best of intentions and these are just my thoughts, the thoughts of newbie.

nickisonfire · May 17, 2009

i don't find this low key at all, you should have your whole body very dark and then some bright highlights around edges

Invictus · May 18, 2009

there should be at least SOME definition on the right side of your body. also, +1 empty space above your head.

mxracer32 · May 18, 2009

props for putting yourself out there...i take self protraits sometimes to play with different light, i am a newb and rarely have access to subjects to photograph when i have free time. i have thought of posting them up but have wussed out.

my opinion is that if your going to have half your face dar with the light's line down the middle of your face (which i dig those kind of photos) your body needs to have the same to make the photo even, and in that case id say favor the left (your right as sitting in the hot seat) more in the photo so that its 2/3 of the right side of your body and only 1/3 of the your body thats being blacked out. just my thoughts.

GeneralBenson · May 18, 2009

There's a ton of noise in the shadow side of your face. Looks like it was really dark and you pulled it out with the fill light slider in LR2, or any other means of pulling out shadow detail. When you try and pull stuff out of the shadows, you'll always introduce noise, even if there was none to begin with.

TheMightyGoat · May 18, 2009

GeneralBenson said:
There's a ton of noise in the shadow side of your face. Looks like it was really dark and you pulled it out with the fill light slider in LR2, or any other means of pulling out shadow detail. When you try and pull stuff out of the shadows, you'll always introduce noise, even if there was none to begin with.

No. I darkened it, actually. But it was shot at 400 ISO. My FZ-28 gets noisy at 400 ISO.

It was taken as an experiment more than anything.