Portrait Composition

darthkir · Jan 26, 2009

Hello,

I would like some advice on composition. I like to close up to my subject very close and some time cropping the top of the head just to emphasize the expression of the face. I saw many photographer do this and this is how I like to shoot portrait.

Both photos below are my self portraits with my newborn;

A friend of mine always criticize about this style becoz he prefers to have empty space around the subject. Therefore I would like some advice on this please.

Thanks in advance.

chrisburke · Jan 26, 2009

i think the light may be to strong... it just seems kind of harsh on the subjects... maybe stop it down a few or throw a shoot through umbrella in front of it

Derek Zoolander · Jan 26, 2009

is it just one light to the left? i think it's cool by the way. it looks dramatic. what did you use for background?

Ziffy · Jan 26, 2009

I really like the effect the light gives.
These are good.

rufus5150 · Jan 26, 2009

In terms of composition, I'd move them just a tiny bit to the left. You can still leave ample space on the left as negative space, but I think these would be good with a pretty literal interpretation of the the rule of thirds. The second one where the lighted part of his arm actually touches the frame of the image I think needs it more than the first.

Light's a little hot on the child's hand in #2, but I think overall the lighting produces a good effect.

darthkir · Jan 26, 2009

Derek Zoolander said:
is it just one light to the left? i think it's cool by the way. it looks dramatic. what did you use for background?

yes its just one light to the left. for the bg i just use a plain black cloth taped to the wall. apart from providing the black bg i wanted, it helps in absorbing light from other part of the subjects not directly lighted by the light source.

darthkir · Jan 26, 2009

rufus5150 said:
...The second one where the lighted part of his arm actually touches the frame of the image I think needs it more than the first.

what do u mean by this?

thanks.

rufus5150 · Jan 26, 2009

I think you need to move your subjects to the left. In the second image, the arm of your subject is touching the edge of the image, thus I think he is in more dire need of being moved left than the first image.

tsaraleksi · Jan 26, 2009

The second image would probably benefit from being composed the other way-- the space to the left doesn't really add much because you are looking to the right.

manaheim · Jan 26, 2009

ha... I'm in the odd position of having to say to you what everyone said to me when I did lighting like that with my daughters.

It looks kinda creepy to me.

Now this is funny because I didn't see this with the pics of MY kids. I thought it just looked kinda cool, but everyone else said it was creepy. I wonder if it's one of those things where you know the kid, so to you it isn't creepy, but to anyone else it is.

I think your baby's expression (particularly in the second one) amplifies the creepiness a bit. Big scay man holding terrified looking baby in scary light.

Dunno.

Still, aside from being creepy it's kinda neat.

a1157814a · Jan 26, 2009

I DO LIKE the dark shadows in the picture, but not to the point where details of the person itself is hidden beneath them and I think your photos could use just a tiny bit more light.

darthkir · Jan 26, 2009

manaheim said:
ha... I'm in the odd position of having to say to you what everyone said to me when I did lighting like that with my daughters.

It looks kinda creepy to me.

Now this is funny because I didn't see this with the pics of MY kids. I thought it just looked kinda cool, but everyone else said it was creepy. I wonder if it's one of those things where you know the kid, so to you it isn't creepy, but to anyone else it is.

I think your baby's expression (particularly in the second one) amplifies the creepiness a bit. Big scay man holding terrified looking baby in scary light.

Dunno.

Still, aside from being creepy it's kinda neat.

Really

? I was going to make it "dramatic" and "contrasty". Never thought of it being creepy.. LOL

Samanax · Jan 27, 2009

Did you take any pics with the camera in portrait orientation?

SlimPaul · Jan 27, 2009

Looks dramatic to me. I like the way the light strikes from the left, but I think you need to brighten up the right side of the face and maybe use a milder light.