Make a portrait "pop" -- How do I highlight a subject?

Foxx · Jul 29, 2011

Hello all,

First thread(sans introduction), hoping to learn forever more. I've just started my journey as a photographer

Anyway, I have this shot

I haven't done many portraits yet, and I don't know if perhaps my composition was too off to do anything proper with this shot. I want to make her stand out against the background, but without using drastic manipulation(b&w, color filter, etc.)

Any tips on what I can do in processing to make her "pop" ? General advice?

Thanks!

2WheelPhoto · Jul 29, 2011

I'm a nooB too. I suspect setting your f-stop to blur the background and employing either fill flash or a reflector for light may be useful to help it pop.

Aze · Jul 29, 2011

I would have to say you'll want to reshoot rather than try and process this shot. Two things I notice are that there needs to be a shallower dof and that the subject is under exposed. There is also too much going on in the background.

tirediron · Jul 29, 2011

Ummmm... There's really not a lot you're going to be able to do with this image. It appears to be a cute, casual snap-shot.

Portraiture proper can be a very complex subject with a LOT to learn. The first thing is location; I'm sure there are worse spots than this, but not too many. The difference between a snapshot and a great photograph is very often the way the background is treated. In this case, you have a VERY complex, busy and distracting background which detracts hugely from the image.

Next is lighting. You've got everything from blown highlights (Nose, below left eye) to deep shadow (hair). VERY few portraits can be executed without some form of supplemental light, even if it's just a simple reflector.

Consider doing some research into posing and portrait composition. Overall, it's a nice start, but IMO, it has a way to go before it can be called a 'portrait' in the photographic sense.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

joealcantar · Jul 29, 2011

Yep, shallower DOF or if you have a long lens say 300mm shoot it on the long end with as shallow a field as you can. Background is busy, just make sure you have her pulled away from the background as well.
-
Shoot well, Joe

Foxx · Jul 29, 2011

Thanks for the advice guys, I figured it was a goner

@tirediron

I've been having trouble with finding a foundation for decent exposure in my shots. I've remedied the situation somewhat(realized last night I need to start shooting everything in RAW) but am still at a loss on how to measure out the exposure per shot so I don't get those blown out sections and deep shadows. I've seen some people say to shoot on the whites. Is there any other advice you can give me?

EDIT: another shot for reference, how do i pick a point to reference for exposure?

tirediron · Jul 29, 2011

You really have to learn to see the scene as the camera does. Eventually, you'll get to the point where you will look at a scene and say to yourself, "Hightlights there, shadows there..." One of things that I recommend is to set your camera up so that the rear LCD displays blown highlights ("blinkies").

The simple fact is your camera usually cannot capture the full dynamic range of a scene. This is why you usually need supplemental light for portrait work, even out doors. As far as metering goes, I would suggest reading the excellent tutorials here which will give you a better understanding of how your camera's meter works, and how to make it work for you.

kundalini · Jul 29, 2011

Foxx, in portraiture, the face should be the brightest portion of the image, to draw the viewers attention first. Then they can explore the rest.

To improve the pop-ability of the sbuject, having them 6-12' from the background and using a longer focal length (100-300mm) will usually help.

Without having some external light source (other than the sun), reflectors are a good option. As well as difussers to reduce harsh light from the sun (hotspots).

Shodex · Feb 18, 2012

Nothing I can say that somebody already hasn't. Your photos have really nice colour, but you need a more shallow depth of field. Especially in the first one, she gets lost in the vibrant background.