Up close and personal. Please critique.

hookinafish · Dec 19, 2012

My first post. I've had my d5100 and sb700 for about 2 weeks. Not sure how this is going to look uploaded but it is quite sharp full-size. Please let me know what I can do to get better. I appreciate your help!

Mr_Mac · Dec 19, 2012

Let me start with, "I'm no expert,but..." the darkness/subdued lighting of the shot looks like one of those days where a heavy thunderstorm is looming in the area. Not sure if that was the intent. If not, then, it is dark though the detail is there.

By the way, welcome to the forum!

jowensphoto · Dec 19, 2012

I like this! Those lines on her face tell a story, stories even... I don't know what they are, but old, weathered faces are always intriguing.

The crop is a little awkward, doesn't appear to be a standard size. I played around with this in PS and adjusted the exposure slightly. Couldn't figure out how to crop without making it look like a floating head or chopping her hair at the top. Shoot wider, that will leave you more room for cropping in post. I did do a little work on her eyes as well; if you zoom in, you can see she's got some really great color patterns within her iris.

tirediron · Dec 19, 2012

Welcome to TPF!
C&C per req: The image seems about a half or 2/3 stop under-exposed. The conversion also seems a little 'muddy' to me; the tone makes it look like a 1930s vintage image, not inanpproriate for a subject of this age, but I don't think a little more contrast would go amiss either. Unless there's a reason to, I would try and avoid the 'disembodied head' composition. Even though you've captured her face, a little more of the person would go a long way to showing off her personality. I can't tell if it's the uploading, or DoF, but it almost looks like this was shot wide open with a very fast lens, resulting in very shallow DoF and that there are some soft spots. All that's not to say it's a bad shot by any means, but there are areas I think it could be improved.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

jowensphoto · Dec 19, 2012

Did you shoot RAW? If you increase your blacks just a teeny-tiny bit, I'm thinking her lines will be even more defined.

jpalomo1 · Dec 19, 2012

The photo is extremely nice but, maybe in black and white? Is this the original photo by the way?And definetly take more wider shoots (you can always crop out the extra) other than that, the woman inthe picture seems to be strong and doesn't let life bring her down. Your photo is very detailed which is great haha

hookinafish · Dec 19, 2012

This was shot with a 55 to 200mm lens zoomed at 200mm I can't remember the settings i used exactly but i shot with vr off and manual focus on a tripod with flash on camera bounced off a wall. I didn't crop the photo, i purposefully framed it this way for a project I'm working on for her.

not the original photo. In photoshop i monochromed it and added sepia intentionally seeking a 30s feel. Also looking for an ominous look to the photo.

Thanks for the critique so far. Here is the original:

jowensphoto · Dec 19, 2012

This is not to say you are wrong or right, but I am curious as to what kind of project would require this type of framing?

nycphotography · Dec 19, 2012

As mentioned above, when shooting 2:3 (35mm film) aspect ratio, you have to remember that to print it you'll have to crop off one or the other end or some of each. That helps prevent awkward realizations in post when you can't make it look right for 4:5 (8x10).

For the lighting, I'd probably prefer brighter w/ more contrast, but there is a definitely a time and a place for a flatter tonal range.... so long as it's intentional on your part.

hookinafish · Dec 19, 2012

This isn't the actual photo for the project. The one I'm using is framed the same, however she's looking up and to her left slightly. Her husband passed away last year and I have a photo of her husband looking down. So essentially the project is supposed to resemble her looking up for answers and he is going to be positioned above her in her line of sight watching over her.

O'Rork · Dec 19, 2012

It appears that your intention was the color shot. Also she's looking at the viewers soul, with that scorn that let's you know, you shouldn't have done that. That's the story I get from the B&W version. As an artistic style the B&W is great. But made so, by the subject. Seeing how you may have found this by accident, you may want to note the settings as it has style. Subject matter 10, Technical 9.5, Composition 5.

Frank

hookinafish · Dec 19, 2012

O'Rork said:
It appears that your intention was the color shot. Also she's looking at the viewers soul, with that scorn that let's you know, you shouldn't have done that. That's the story I get from the B&W version. As an artistic style the B&W is great. But made so, by the subject. Seeing how you may have found this by accident, you may want to note the settings as it has style. Subject matter 10, Technical 9.5, Composition 5.

Frank

I appreciate your input and everyone else's as well.

So, many seem to agree with the composition being an obvious weak point of this photo. If I'm reading the critique correctly, I should have been back about another 4 to 6 feet at least, and cropped the photo from there for a 4:5 ratio?

I think i shot at: 1/200 F5.6 zoomed at 200mm
white balance was auto.
I'm unsure of exact iso I believe it was in 200 to 400 range.

jowensphoto · Dec 19, 2012

Yes, improved composition would really help this photo. It's possible to acheive the look you are going for while still including the top and side of her head along with a bit of shoulder/chest to eliminate the floating head effect.

Most modern DSLRs and even most P&S cameras can produce images that can be cropped a LOT in post without giving up image quality. So shoot wide (not unnecessarily wide), and then trim down in post. It's better to include too much than not enough

jpalomo1 · Dec 20, 2012

She says she really likes the color because it shows how youthful she still seems (she did thik it was the lady from titanic though).other than that. I agree with everyone imputs from making the eyes a focus point, a slightly larger background, maybe the color photo, but, your picture is pretty amazing also