Portrait advice

[meloncap78]

Just did my first portrait last night and I am looking for seasoned input, plain and simple, no holds barred. Here it is. This is my daughter and her boyfriend.

[FeelingTheBlues]

I'm not an art critic or nothing but I must say I find this picture beautiful, I like the fact that they seem somewhat concentrated on something and yet they also seem to be thinking about nothing.

[masterserg]

Looks good if a tad underexposed maybe, though a nice mood. My only real criticism (constructive) is that the composition feels a little bit unbalanced ... I like to fill the frame with the subject and in this case there is a lot of empty space on the top half ... just personal taste, i like a tighter composition.

I'd frame it more like this (again, just personal preference):

[conrail]

Pretty cool pic - I like Serg's tighter crop of it too. I've been finding that *generally* helps draw the viewer in more (sometimes you want the opposite though).

[meloncap78]

Serg, thanks soooo much! I agree 100%

[2careless]

I'd say it would look nice if they are looking at each other and can capture the sparkle of their eyes.

Also a fair bit underexposed. Maybe put some fill in light from the back of the man and from the left (of the picture).
Something like this? http://www.phottix.com/en/studio-acc...t-60x60cm.html

[cyglee]

Maybe a subtle fill light, or a white reflector on the subjects right side to soften (but definitely not eliminate) the shadows under the chins. Just my 2 cents.

[TheVTCGuy]

OK, you guys are all a LOT smarter on photography then I am, but I must say I find it an excellent photo Joshua!

[316lad]

Love it.

The two of them look very comfortable together and you've captured the intimacy perfectly with the positioning of the subjects on the two levels. It's also beautifully lit. I wouldn't say it's too underexposed because it responded beautifully to a tiny increase in contrast - just to 'bloom' the highlights a little.

I'm really into close framing portraits of couples so I tend to bring the camera right in and that, I think, helps to reinforce the intimacy.

I'm also a sucker for a bit of sepia toning - it's always flattering (not that those two lovely lookers need that ) and in addition, creates a hue that makes the image 'another' world' i.e; 'Their' World.

A black border helps to enclose them in that intimacy.

The key to a really great Couples portrait is "To be there, without intruding".

If you can make them look balanced, then that's the Grail shot.

See how I've cropped her a little but left him with a little air around his head. Now they're equal: now they're a couple.
You've absolutely got them with the shot but never overlook what can be done in "post-production" i.e: Photoshop.

And for the purists out there - Ansel Adams invented the "Zone System" in 1850 - a method by which the final print could be assured and manipulated in the Dark Room, long before and then at the time the photograph was taken.

Great thread.

[azguy]

Nice shot for starters It looks like imaging is as important as the shot itself.

I always liked portraits, escpecially ones that capture every little feature, here's one of my favorites

albert.jpg

[figbo]

Beautiful daughter,Josh!

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by 316lad

I am not a fan of the sepia but this version looks really good! The composition is excellent and interesting!

[CashGap]

Great advice so far.

My contribution is this:

I would have tried to get the central point of each face into the blue circles.

My $.02.

[316lad]

Originally Posted by CashGap

Great advice so far.

My contribution is this:

I would have tried to get the central point of each face into the blue circles.

My $.02.

Bang on isn't it. (Bridge of noses)

I can't help wishing that he was looking into lens.

[CashGap]

Also, keep in mind that much of the "magic" needs to happen after the shutter clicks.

[316lad]

Originally Posted by CashGap

Also, keep in mind that much of the "magic" needs to happen after the shutter clicks.

weirdo!

[subtona]

could be different but that is a great shot!

something i have done on a few occasions with friends and family, using the depth of field, slightly blur the man and focus on the beauty of the woman... i always like the way these shots come out.

[GradyPhilpott]

This is my take, though I'm sure it's all wrong.