My First Portrait Image [Feedback Wanted]

Andrew_Smith · Sep 18, 2016

Hi guys,

Edited this photo of my grandfather today with the main purpose to make it dramatic to draw the viewers eyes to the subject (my grandfather).

Any feedback is more than welcome, critic or compliments!

Overread · Sep 18, 2016

I don't do portraits much but a few thoughts;

1) It's too dark. I see little detail in the face and whilst I understand what effect you're trying for; you've got it far too dark for it to really work in my view. I would look up "lowkey" photography for some ideas on this kind of work and how you can achieve such a result with a more dramatic but also pleasing result.

2) You've put a very strong vignette (dark corners) around the shot; but its all focused on the middle; however it you look at your subject their face is higher than the middle. So right now the middle of your circle is on the lips when it should be closer to the eyes. This isn't to say the eyes must be in the middle; but more that your darkness should be focused around them not the lips. Although this also brings out other balance questions which is why I'd advise you to seek out the low-key tutorials and methods.

dennybeall · Sep 18, 2016

I would also like to see more detail of the person and the background in order to perhaps place the person in age and location. Hard to see his expression or his eyes.

The_Traveler · Sep 18, 2016

There's a great deal of useless space on the ends.
The excessive sharpening has made halos and dirtied his chin.
The key to editing is subtlety.
Think brush not hammer.

Lew

OGsPhotography · Sep 18, 2016

I like it.

Needs to be cropped IMO and the others C+C is good advice.

Good start!

tirediron · Sep 18, 2016

IMO, this missed being an outstanding image by about two stops of fill light camera left. Yes, you can pull a lot of detail out in post, but it renders the image rather flat and much less appealing.

Andrew_Smith · Sep 19, 2016

I agree with all who stated that the image is too dark, my dad also mentioned that to me. Will fix it.

@Overread : I noted what you said and is for sure very helpful. Will Google that "low-key" photography later today if I get time.

@The_Traveler : Uhm... I see. But there is a slight dirty mark (aging scar or not sure what is the correct term for it) on my grandfather's chin. If you look at the original RAW file.

@OGsPhotography : Thanks man! Appreciate it. Yup, like the The_Traveler mentioned, there is a lot of useless space. Will crop the image for final.

@tirediron : Yeah, indeed. I want to (if I am done editing the image) print out the image and give it to him. When I saw the pic, I was like: "Wow, this has the potential to become something beautiful!"

The_Traveler · Sep 19, 2016

Andrew_Smith said:
@The_Traveler : Uhm... I see. But there is a slight dirty mark (aging scar or not sure what is the correct term for it) on my grandfather's chin. If you look at the original RAW file.

Thanks.
I was wrong about the haloing, that might be from the backlighting.
I think that image will need some contrast fixing using the raw file because the light is pretty harsh and there is so much color and texture variation. (That link is to a screen-sized jpeg made from the RAW file.)