Request Critique: Portraits

[eswarpr]

Your feedback, suggestions for improvements and critique most welcome.

 

[kundalini]

Google, or search here on TPF, the use of Fill Light and metering for Ambient Light.

Loose the handbag and sunglasses.

 

[tirediron]

C&C per req:

1. LIGHT, lots more light!!! You've got a bright background and a darker-skinned person. This is causing your camera to give you incorrect information. Instead of using Matrix Metering, in a case like this, use spot metering on the face; that will give you a better starting point.

Ideally, you would use a reflector low and camera right to provide fill light, or even an off-camera speedlight. Notice how her eyes are very dark, and almost lifeless? You want visible detail and ideally a catchlight to give them some sparkle.

The image is also a bit tight; either crop it to a bust composition (Head, neck top of shoulders only) or open it up so that her arms aren't laterally bisected. Also, watch your backgrounds; this one is out of focus, but still has enough detail to take away from the subject.

2. Better lighting here; a fill to bring out some detail in the hair wouldn't hurt. Same comments as per #1 regarding the crop. Better background, but lose the sunglasses!

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

 

[dakkon76]

I just bought a 43" reflector/diffuser off of Amazon for this exact reason. #1 could do with some reflected light, #2 could do with a diffuser to block some of the harsh direct sunlight. Only problem is you'll need a second person to hold it, or a tripod to mount your camera on while you hold it yourself

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I just bought a 43" reflector/diffuser off of Amazon for this exact reason. #1 could do with some reflected light, #2 could do with a diffuser to block some of the harsh direct sunlight. Only problem is you'll need a second person to hold it, or a tripod to mount your camera on while you hold it yourself

Or a cheap light stand

 

[eswarpr]

Google, or search here on TPF, the use of Fill Light and metering for Ambient Light.

Loose the handbag and sunglasses.

I just told my wife that and hopefully she will listen next time

 

[eswarpr]

C&C per req:

1. LIGHT, lots more light!!! You've got a bright background and a darker-skinned person. This is causing your camera to give you incorrect information. Instead of using Matrix Metering, in a case like this, use spot metering on the face; that will give you a better starting point.

Ideally, you would use a reflector low and camera right to provide fill light, or even an off-camera speedlight. Notice how her eyes are very dark, and almost lifeless? You want visible detail and ideally a catchlight to give them some sparkle.

The image is also a bit tight; either crop it to a bust composition (Head, neck top of shoulders only) or open it up so that her arms aren't laterally bisected. Also, watch your backgrounds; this one is out of focus, but still has enough detail to take away from the subject.

2. Better lighting here; a fill to bring out some detail in the hair wouldn't hurt. Same comments as per #1 regarding the crop. Better background, but lose the sunglasses!

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

Thanks John. I used spot metering in the 2nd, which I forgot in the first.

 

[eswarpr]

All,

Just thought I will put this up there for debate and learn something out of it. The diffusor and light stand seem like more of a studio setup than an outdoor one. Ny question is, is portrait by definition a planned work than a natural, whim of the moment work? Can these effects be achieved if I were to do some post-prod work after shooting in RAW?

 

[hydkaran420]

her face looks too dark than it must be. hand bag is a real distraction. her position looks a bit odd (like facing towards the cam but the shoulders are not even)