"Studio" portraits, first go. - DPChallenge Forums

04/28/2006 01:37:19 AM · #1

I really don't have a studio, just a black sheet and a window :)
Thought I'd try my hand at it though and see what happens. These are all shots of my 5 year old nephew. Any comments??

bowronfam3

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/28/2006 02:10:17 AM · #2

IMO, these are really good for a first try. Just getting them in focus with a 4 year old boy, well enough said! lol! I have a 4 year old son, and I can't get him to sit long enough for shots like these. The only think I would do is to go into Photoshop and smooth out the background so that you don't see the wrinkles in it. I went ahead and did it for you to show you what I mean. All I did was select the background, and adjust levels.

[url=

]Edit[/url]
All I did was select the background, and adjust levels.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/28/2006 02:34:19 AM · #3

Thanks bowronfam3. I don't have photoshop. I have a photo editing program that came with the computer only. I had messed with them a bit but couldn't totaly get rid of the background wrinkles. I really need to get photoshop asap. Thanks for taking the time to comment :)

Mambe

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

04/28/2006 02:35:03 AM · #4

Sarah , those photos are really good ! My favs maybe go between #1 and #4 and as bowronfam3 pointed out you could try to have a uniform background.Why do I prefer them ? He's smiling , seems more natural.
For boys I thinks color version reflects more their vitality , just my opinion.

It has been an excellent try !

btw , which software are u using ? Have you tried the Gimp ? it's free !

Message edited by author 2006-04-28 02:47:12.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/28/2006 03:28:57 AM · #5

Thanks Mambe for the comments. The program I use is arcsoft photo studio. Number one is my fav too but I do like the sulky ones as it wasn't posed, he was actualy getting bored. One of those shots that work better when you know the person I supose.
I haven't tried Gimp. I have heard of it but am really hoping to get Photo Shop soon.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
:)

Rikki

Canon EOS-20D

04/28/2006 03:52:20 AM · #6

Left a comment. My fave is number 4 but needs some work with the harsk lighting.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

04/28/2006 04:23:31 AM · #7

They all look good. As Rikki said the lighting is a bit harsh. Speaking of which I played around with your #4 photo to try and reduce that harsh light a bit. Probably not all that helpful to you but I always like these little exercises I give myself. :) Below is my quick edited version:

Still a bit harsh but it could be reduced even further.

Message edited by author 2006-04-28 04:26:57.

AlexSaberi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

04/28/2006 05:10:52 AM · #8

alternatively you could move him further away from the black backdrop. The light fall off would mean that you wouldnt see any creases. Especially if you angle your main light so it doent point directly towards the background.

also in photoshop you could burn it darker or seletive colour and increse the blacks

cars

Canon EOS-10D

04/28/2006 11:23:42 AM · #9

Very nice effort! Photography isn't about how expensive the goods you have but how you use them! Putting him farther from the background and using a shorter depth of field would help with wrinkle distraction, etc. Also, either moving him a little further from the window would soften the light but, also, a sheet or clear shower curtain over the window would create a nice soft diffusion!

front_element

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/28/2006 11:41:34 AM · #10

I think these are very good for a first attempt. You have made a real connection with the model, which is a very useful natural talent!

I wonder if the camera you are using is 'seeing' the black cloth and over-exposing slightly to try and compensate? It would be worth trying to use exposure compensation if the camera has this feature and underexpose by half / two thirds of a stop.

As your keylight light is from a window it may be harder to get solid black by moving the cloth further away. The light from the sun has already come 93 million miles, so the next few feet don't usually make much difference :-)

Masking the background area with more black cloth (close to the model, not near the window) will remove some of the light on the background without changing the quality of light on the subject. In the TV and film world this is known as 'flagging'.

Hope this is some use.