On location portrait - how much location?

[nas-matko]

Hi, I tried my first on location photo session with young model in historical castle settings. After editing and cropping I ended up little bit teared apart with decision - keep large environement and subject is less dominant, or crop tighter to subject for the cost of loosing surrounding castle?

I give you two examples of what I am talking about
this first crop maintains more story in the image, second crop is more focused on subject, but its loosing story element.



second the same dilemma, first is showing context, second is more focused on subject.





My question is, where is the threshold, how much of environment is too much and you are showing more of the castle and subject becomes only an appendix?

thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Oh and technical stuff Canon R7, RF 28-70 f/2.8, first two images 1/160s at f/4, ISO 100, at 50mm, third image 1/4000s at f/3.2 ISO 200, 50mm, and last image 1/4000s at f/2.8, ISO 200, 70mm

 

[cgw]

For starters, there's way too much in the shots that draws attention away from the model. Busy, complicated backgrounds on #2 and #3(#3 improved with less background detail). Seems to me that the rich architectural detail could be used more effectively as simple framing with minimal detail included. That large doorway...Time of day and shadow/highlight could also be played with.

 

[smoke665]

My question is, where is the threshold, how much of environment is too much and you are showing more of the castle and subject becomes only an appendix?

To answer your question I would first define the intent of the shot. Is it a portrait or something else? If it's a portrait my goal is for the subject (specifically the eyes) to be the focal point, everything else should compliment in some manner but never detract. If it isn't then the following comments dont apply.

In the first set, you have a frame within a frame which is good, but in the first shot, the model IMO is to small and two low. The second crop is better, but still two low in the frame. Placing the eye at the top/right intersection of the thirds grid, gives the model dominace in the frame.

In the 2nd set, as noted above the amount of detail in the background is detracting from the model. Using DOF can help to minimize the distraction as can lighting. For example: using a HSS flash, will let you light the subject and change the Luminosity of the background, making it less distracting. In lieu of HSS you can accomplish the same thing with a speedlight and a neutral density filter.

 

[nas-matko]

there's way too much in the shots that draws attention away from the model

Yes I agree, but than what is the point of on location portrait photo session if location is distracting from model? How to deal with that?

 

[nas-matko]

Placing the eye at the top/right intersection of the thirds grid, gives the model dominace in the frame.

The same problem as I mentioned to cgw. If I crop like you suggest, which is logical, than I will loose enivornment completely anr it could be shot practically anywhere, no point to travel to castle with all the equipment.

In the 2nd set, as noted above the amount of detail in the background is detracting from the model. Using DOF can help to minimize the distraction as can lighting. For example: using a HSS flash, will let you light

Dof can't be any shallower wih equipment I have as lens was fully open and on max zoom.
Light can help, I wasn't ready for light change, it surprised me and I didn't adjust as I should. But still, if Iput castle out of focus and dark, same question, whats the point going there if Ido everything to get rid of background.

 

[smoke665]

same question, whats the point going there if Ido everything to get rid of background.

You didn't read the first paragraph of my reply - "To answer your question I would first define the intent of the shot. Is it a portrait or something else? If it's a portrait my goal is for the subject (specifically the eyes) to be the focal point, everything else should compliment in some manner but never detract. If it isn't then the following comments dont apply." Look up the definition of Portrait - "a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face is always predominant" Maybe I wasn't as clear in my point as I should have been. What you're seeking may more aptly be described as an Environmental Portrait - one that captures a person within their natural surroundings, offering a glimpse into their life, personality, etc. In these types of shots you choose your focal point in the context of the story you wish to tell by drawing the eye to that location. The model may or may not be the focal point. IE: you have a model drawing water from a well, in that case the bucket may be the focal point. Or you have a carpenter driving a nail, with the hammer being the focal point. You as the photographer have to decide how much or how little of the surrounding area is needed to tell the story. To much and the image becomes overly busy, to little, and the story is lost, there are no hard fast rules.

Photography, once past the basics of the exposure, overlap with art in composition. The old masters had it figured out long ago, look them up for inspiration and guidance. Here's a good read to start. Golden Rules of Composition in Art - Explained & Illustrated