The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > General Topics > Open Discussion Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 13 February 2012, 11:22 AM   #1
meloncap78
"TRF" Member
 
meloncap78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Real Name: Joshua
Location: Syracuse, NY
Watch: LV C
Posts: 2,204
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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Samy&Wadeaa B&W2.jpg (64.0 KB, 132 views)
meloncap78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 February 2012, 11:26 AM   #2
FeelingTheBlues
"TRF" Member
 
FeelingTheBlues's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Carl
Location: Always moving
Watch: If you wish...
Posts: 22,039
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.
__________________
Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir,
Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire,
J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout,
On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout.


- André Fortin
FeelingTheBlues is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 February 2012, 11:31 AM   #3
masterserg
"TRF" Member
 
masterserg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Serg
Location: US of A
Watch: AP
Posts: 7,437
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):
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Capture.JPG (67.8 KB, 129 views)
__________________
How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat????
masterserg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 February 2012, 11:43 AM   #4
conrail
"TRF" Member
 
conrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Boston
Posts: 3,177
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).
__________________
"Oh, you give a f****' aspirin a headache, pal!"
conrail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 February 2012, 12:22 PM   #5
meloncap78
"TRF" Member
 
meloncap78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Real Name: Joshua
Location: Syracuse, NY
Watch: LV C
Posts: 2,204
Serg, thanks soooo much! I agree 100%
meloncap78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 February 2012, 06:00 AM   #6
2careless
"TRF" Member
 
2careless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne, AU
Watch: Pepsi
Posts: 4,370
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
2careless is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 February 2012, 06:22 AM   #7
cyglee
"TRF" Member
 
cyglee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Gordon
Location: California
Watch: Gmtll,LV,SD,GV,etc
Posts: 627
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.
cyglee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 February 2012, 06:58 AM   #8
TheVTCGuy
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Paul
Location: San Diego
Watch: 126619LB
Posts: 21,540
OK, you guys are all a LOT smarter on photography then I am, but I must say I find it an excellent photo Joshua!
TheVTCGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 05:37 AM   #9
316lad
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 1,642
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.


316lad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 05:44 AM   #10
azguy
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: -------
Location: -------
Watch: ---------
Posts: 12,609
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
azguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 06:07 AM   #11
figbo
"TRF" Member
 
figbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: El Raf-O
Location: florida
Watch: tt GMT2c,Omega
Posts: 19,687
Beautiful daughter,Josh!
__________________
member # 9862
Best bartender in the world!!
Last of the Bastid Tossers

p club member #9
figbo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 07:07 AM   #12
CashGap
"TRF" Member
 
CashGap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Real Name: Blank
Location: Romo
Posts: 1,465
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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Capture.JPG (85.0 KB, 38 views)
CashGap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 08:00 AM   #13
316lad
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 1,642
Quote:
Originally Posted by CashGap View Post
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.




316lad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 08:28 AM   #14
masterserg
"TRF" Member
 
masterserg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Serg
Location: US of A
Watch: AP
Posts: 7,437
Quote:
Originally Posted by 316lad View Post

I am not a fan of the sepia but this version looks really good! The composition is excellent and interesting!
__________________
How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat????
masterserg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 09:08 AM   #15
CashGap
"TRF" Member
 
CashGap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Real Name: Blank
Location: Romo
Posts: 1,465
Also, keep in mind that much of the "magic" needs to happen after the shutter clicks.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2012-02-14 at 5.07.07 PM.JPG (56.7 KB, 31 views)
CashGap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 09:25 AM   #16
316lad
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 1,642
Quote:
Originally Posted by CashGap View Post
Also, keep in mind that much of the "magic" needs to happen after the shutter clicks.
weirdo!

316lad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 09:42 AM   #17
subtona
"TRF" Member
 
subtona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: gus
Location: East Coast
Watch: APK & sometimes Y
Posts: 26,601
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.


__________________
subtona is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2012, 09:55 AM   #18
GradyPhilpott
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
GradyPhilpott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Seiko #SRK047
Posts: 34,460
This is my take, though I'm sure it's all wrong.

__________________
JJ

Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner
GradyPhilpott is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

OCWatches

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.