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13 February 2012, 11:22 AM | #1 |
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Portrait advice
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.
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13 February 2012, 11:26 AM | #2 |
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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.
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13 February 2012, 11:31 AM | #3 |
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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):
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13 February 2012, 11:43 AM | #4 |
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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).
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13 February 2012, 12:22 PM | #5 |
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Serg, thanks soooo much! I agree 100%
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14 February 2012, 06:00 AM | #6 |
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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 |
14 February 2012, 06:22 AM | #7 |
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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.
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14 February 2012, 06:58 AM | #8 |
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OK, you guys are all a LOT smarter on photography then I am, but I must say I find it an excellent photo Joshua!
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15 February 2012, 05:37 AM | #9 |
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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. |
15 February 2012, 05:44 AM | #10 |
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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 |
15 February 2012, 06:07 AM | #11 |
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Beautiful daughter,Josh!
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15 February 2012, 07:07 AM | #12 |
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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. |
15 February 2012, 08:00 AM | #13 |
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15 February 2012, 08:28 AM | #14 |
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I am not a fan of the sepia but this version looks really good! The composition is excellent and interesting!
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15 February 2012, 09:08 AM | #15 |
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Also, keep in mind that much of the "magic" needs to happen after the shutter clicks.
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15 February 2012, 09:25 AM | #16 |
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15 February 2012, 09:42 AM | #17 |
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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.
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15 February 2012, 09:55 AM | #18 |
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This is my take, though I'm sure it's all wrong.
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