Self Portrait Redux

[minicoop1985]

OK, I took more advice and used one or two of the lighting diagrams shown in the other thread (thanks so much!!!). This was done after a fiasco with some portraits taken of my wife on film, then the film got exposed while messing with the dark bag, ruining every portrait taken. Many sads were had. So, how did I do here? Improvement? Worse? Thanks for the help. Someone said the last one looked like I was constipated. The second one, THAT'S constipated.

Self Portrait Redux by longm1985, on Flickr

Constipated by longm1985, on Flickr

Lightroom: faster than Clearasil.

 

[tirediron]

Not bad; I would bump the overall exposure up about 1/2 stop or so, it just seems a little dark, and in future, try not to be quite so level and square to the camera with your face.

 

[D-B-J]

Definitely could use a bit of an exposure bump, as well as a change in perspective. Having the camera a bit higher would have provided a slightly more flattering angle.

Jake

 

[minicoop1985]

Well, the camera can't go higher (I'm 6'4", this creates issues, and tripod was maxed), but I can find a shorter stool, I think. Or a chair. Anyway, I'll make that happen somehow. It will also give me a bit more space above the hair.. Running into issues with the top of the curtains at that height, and I don't like how tight it looks up there. And I'll brighten them a bit.

As for the face angle, should the subject (or me) be facing more with the shoulders, or more over the shoulders?

Thanks for the help, guys.

Edit: maybe the camera CAN go higher... Hmm... Any way it goes, I'll lower the angle somehow.

 

[IzzieK]

'Need another light on the right side, mate!

 

[kundalini]

...As for the face angle, should the subject (or me) be facing more with the shoulders, or more over the shoulders?...

Some light reading for you 'Coop. Make sure you hit the links at the bottom of the page under Related Articles:

Tutorial: Facial Analysis In Fine Portraiture

 

[TheNevadanStig]

I don't do much of people, but the weird spot of light by your eyebrow on the first one bugs me. And on both shots, it seems your neck is brighter than your face. Not sure if it's just skin tone, but a little more light on the face might help balance it out.

 

[xc222]

Not bad; I would bump the overall exposure up about 1/2 stop or so, it just seems a little dark, and in future, try not to be quite so level and square to the camera with your face.

The correct view

 

[minicoop1985]

For my neck, that's probably a bit of both. I'll skip tonight because I gotta shave and look even more like a hobo right now, but HOPEFULLY going to do film ones of the wife and NOT screw up with the dark bag (still mad about that). You're right about the hot spot too, that's not a good thing. Frankly, it drives me nuts. It's from the snoot/hair light thing, which was poorly aimed, apparently. I'm gonna have to see what can be done about a light opposite-I was using a reflector, but think I might have either missed or it's not enough. Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I'm trying, and despite what Yoda said, sometimes it takes a lot of trying to do.

Kundalini, you have been a HUGE help. Holy cow, man, I can't thank you enough.