Teen Formal Portrait

oldmacman · Jul 23, 2011

I used a blue gel for the background and got a weird bounce back into her blond hair. It was killer to clean it up, but I think I am happy with where it is at now. C&C welcome.

joealcantar · Jul 23, 2011

Did you do this to Mask the background out and insert your own?
Looks like you only used a Main Light and no fill, would have liked to see the shadow not extending into the mouth and if it had to be like this would have liked to see it softened up a little with fill light. Nice smile out of the subject.
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Shoot well, Joe

oldmacman · Jul 23, 2011

I didn't do the blue for masking, I just like the skin tones against blue. I have used this technique before with good success, but never with anyone with such light hair standing as close as she was to the screen. I used a reflector for camera right because I only had three lights with me. So you think that wasn't enough? Come to think of it, it looks like the hair light missed which would have saved some trouble.

Hollaisahbeast · Jul 23, 2011

That photo looks really great

Do you edit photos for people?
Because it would be awesome if you could do mine.
I haven't found anyone on any other site because they're all rude and call me names. Hahaha, Not so funny.
So you shouldn't do that please... I would just appreciate my photo being edited.
If you would here's a link.
Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting
Thank you much!:3

oldmacman · Jul 23, 2011

I do retouch photos. I looked at the one on your hosting page and it looks like you have already done some work on it. It's a small image, so it is difficult to make any significant changes. I'll PM you the result.

Superfitz · Jul 23, 2011

oldmacman said:
I used a blue gel for the background and got a weird bounce back into her blond hair. It was killer to clean it up, but I think I am happy with where it is at now. C&C welcome.

I'm sure she will like it, but take a look at the back of her right shoulder. There is some bleed over. Also did you use a program such as portrait professional? I ask because the skin looks a bit overly smooth, her bottom lip looks altered (especially on her left corner of her mouth, and the skin has a few artifacts such as sparkles on her right cheek and neck, a rough spot on her left corner of her chin, a rough spot on her top left corner of her forehead, and a rough spot on her right front where her skin meets her dress.

oldmacman · Jul 23, 2011

Superfitz said:
oldmacman said:

I used a blue gel for the background and got a weird bounce back into her blond hair. It was killer to clean it up, but I think I am happy with where it is at now. C&C welcome.

Click to expand...

I'm sure she will like it, but take a look at the back of her right shoulder. There is some bleed over. Also did you use a program such as portrait professional? I ask because the skin looks a bit overly smooth, her bottom lip looks altered (especially on her left corner of her mouth, and the skin has a few artifacts such as sparkles on her right cheek and neck, a rough spot on her left corner of her chin, a rough spot on her top left corner of her forehead, and a rough spot on her right front where her skin meets her dress.

As I indicated in the OP, I got some bounce into her blond hair. My camera (40D) caused fringing where the hair wasn't in solid clumps and the blond hair would turn to a dark blue.

Yep, her skin is retouched, but I did not play with the shape of her features at all, including the lips. Not sure about the rough spots you are mentioning.

Superfitz · Jul 23, 2011

oldmacman said:
As I indicated in the OP, I got some bounce into her blond hair. My camera (40D) caused fringing where the hair wasn't in solid clumps and the blond hair would turn to a dark blue.

Yep, her skin is retouched, but I did not play with the shape of her features at all, including the lips. Not sure about the rough spots you are mentioning.

Oh, don't get me wrong, the hair looks fine. I was talking about lower down on the back of her right shoulder. It is entirely possible that I am mistaken about the rough spots and sparkleys....that is how it looks on my iPad. It is also possible her lips could naturally look like they have been altered or on a different screen it may not look that way at all. I could prob take a screen shot and circle the spots I'm talking about if you cared that much. It is like I said...I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

oldmacman · Jul 24, 2011

Here's another portrait using the same blue gel, but with a brunette.

kellyb · Jul 24, 2011

This photo is beautiful, I think I would personally have preferred a little more contrast to make the woman in the photo "POP" more. It is a lovely photo just the same.

Superfitz · Jul 24, 2011

Again, I am sure she will like it, but if you have the space move the people away from the background more to prevent the bounce back that you are getting with is evident on her right side of her head. Also, there is a bit of belled over again around the back of her right shoulder. It also looks as if her left iris has been just a bit misshaped. it kind of comes to a point on her right edge of her left iris. There is also a noticeable line in her right sclera. It may be a shadow but I can't tell. it is on her right side of her right sclera. Also her hair looks a bit uneven from where it looks like you edited out some of the bounce back from the background. She probably won't notice any of this because she will prob be in love with the photo. It may or may not show up in print...it is hard to tell. Overall, just like the other, not to shabby.

oldmacman · Jul 24, 2011

Superfitz said:
Again, I am sure she will like it, but if you have the space move the people away from the background more to prevent the bounce back that you are getting with is evident on her right side of her head. Also, there is a bit of belled over again around the back of her right shoulder. It also looks as if her left iris has been just a bit misshaped. it kind of comes to a point on her right edge of her left iris. There is also a noticeable line in her right sclera. It may be a shadow but I can't tell. it is on her right side of her right sclera. Also her hair looks a bit uneven from where it looks like you edited out some of the bounce back from the background. She probably won't notice any of this because she will prob be in love with the photo. It may or may not show up in print...it is hard to tell. Overall, just like the other, not to shabby.

Thanks for taking the time for detailed feedback. Much appreciated.