Portrait Practice (critique) - DPChallenge Forums

12/15/2008 12:01:45 AM · #1

Hey guys,
My girlfriend was nice enough to play dress up for me and let me take some photos. I'm working very hard right now to become an expert with my Sb-800's and using them off camera. I used two, one as main (umbrella) and one as fill (umbrella-ed also). I would like your critiques, likes/dislikes, anything you would like to throw my way as I continue to try to better myself.

These were all shot with a D200 and either an 85 1.8 or 50 1.8 around f4.

Some things I know I would personally critique myself on are:

- No hair/rim light. This would be nice to give me some separation from the BG.
- A larger more interesting array of poses.
- Softer and longer shadow transitions

What else though? Thanks in advance and I look forward to your advice!

Evan

Jessi

Mamiya 645Pro TL

Mamiya 80mm f/2.8

12/15/2008 12:17:53 AM · #2

I see you're a college student (right...?) -- were you using the college's studio or do you have your own set up? (I use my college's...soo much cheaper. Whee!)

The way I solve the rim light problem is I bounce light off the background and onto my subject, a-like so:

It's hard to do with a black background, but you could make a diy reflector and have it somewhat up and over her head and bounce light off that.

They also seem a bit dark -- bump up the exposure a bit next time.

The lighting actually looks pretty good -- defines her face well, which is always the most important thing.

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 00:22:43.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

12/15/2008 01:04:39 AM · #3

bumparoo... rebumpus

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 01:55:47.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

12/15/2008 08:29:48 AM · #4

I would try some less conventional poses. Go to a few Portrait sites or find the Top dogs like Scavullo and recreate their work...note for note. Use their lighting angles, match the crop, take your time with the models to get the correct look/eye positions etc.

I need to re-edit that but it was taken in the middle of a dinner party against a simple white wall with a hanging kitchen light. I had the idea, which I saw somewhere and was discussing it. So in the middle of dinner I said "lets go" to show them what I was talking about and BANG! Again...it needs a re-edit but it's ok for a 1 minute photo shoot.

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 10:25:04.

david1707

Nikon D90

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

12/15/2008 09:04:27 AM · #5

Try moving your lights closer to the subject. Sounds weird, right. Well, with your umbrellas, the closer you put them the larger the light source is on the subject. This actually creates a softer light. Read more about strobist technics HERE.

I am no portrait expert, but as far as posing goes I think the most important thing is to have a relaxed subject. If they aren't comfortable in a pose it will look forced.

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 09:14:49.

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

12/15/2008 09:17:18 AM · #6

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice so far, it's been really great!

Pawdrix, that's a great idea to start looking at other peoples poses and copy them. Once I feel comfortable with them I can try to make them my own by adding my own touch!

David1707, I love strobist, next time I'll try to bring my lights closer next time. They were reflected so maybe next time I'll do a shoot through!

Jessi, This was my own set-up. I go to st. olaf college and while it's a phenomenal place it is not known for there art side. More of a music/hard science college... I WISH we had a studio! :)

Thanks again guys, keep it coming!

Evan

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

12/15/2008 09:22:15 AM · #7

allow more light to get into the camera. Your images look too dark for studio shots. You need more light but you are off to a great start.

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

12/15/2008 09:30:25 AM · #8

Thanks dirt_diver! I was shooting at iso 160, F4, and SS 200, I could probably back it off a bit to get a bit more ambient or bump up the power of my SB-800's!

Evan

david1707

Nikon D90

12/15/2008 09:30:44 AM · #9

I was using a 42" shoot through at about 3' away at 1/2 with an sb-600. I have also started using a program called Portrait Professional on my portraits also. Price is great and very easy to use. Here is an example of what I did with it..

Edit: In two of your shots she is not looking at the camera. Sometimes this works well, but most of the time you want the subject looking at the camera. A great technic is, right before you snap the photo, look at them over your camera. Most people will lock eye contact on you for that split second. Also, if you want your client to smile, then you need to be smiling. You want them looking serious, same thing, you look serious. People will unconsiously follow your lead.

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 09:38:49.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

12/15/2008 10:40:05 AM · #10

Just an opinion but as Dirt suggested, shoot a little more wide open. Try the 85mm at f2.0, 2.2 or 3.5 and get a dreamier effect. For a close-up crop, you'll have enough distance with the 85mm to get the eyes and nose sharp with the back of the ears and hair fading to a blur.

Your test shots, for my tastes (or if I was the person who hired you) seem too sharp all they way through...like High School pictures. Be a little more agressive with your aperture choices and you'll wow them.

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 12:48:03.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/15/2008 10:43:55 AM · #11

Originally posted by david1707:

Really nice shots!

david1707

Nikon D90

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

12/15/2008 10:45:47 AM · #12

Thanks.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/15/2008 11:50:20 AM · #13

Originally posted by StOlafPhotographer:

Some things I know I would personally critique myself on are:

- No hair/rim light. This would be nice to give me some separation from the BG.
- A larger more interesting array of poses.
- Softer and longer shadow transitions

What else though?

There are no correct ways to light.

There are guidelines and technique, but lighting a subject is one person vision of how the image should look with the equipment that you have available.

Sure, maybe a back rim would look nice, defining an edge, separating from the bg. But, again, this is up to you.

Like a painter on a canvas, you decide which light, colors, and atmosphere to include to make the image jump.

Nice job on your images.

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 11:50:44.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

12/15/2008 11:58:46 AM · #14

Its very easy to get rim light with just two lights.

I typically will use two softboxes, although rather large and close to the subjects. I use them at about 45 degrees from the subject, one from in front and one from behind.

All of these were taken with two strobes and a black background.

Matt

Edit to add that I think you did very well, there are a few crops I might change, and perhaps move the lights a bit closer to make them larger. But otherwise most clients would be happy with that session. But as I know every time I do a session I learn more and try to apply it next time.

Message edited by author 2008-12-15 12:01:30.

12/15/2008 09:44:07 PM · #15

Thank you everyone for your advice and critiques, I look forward to my next session when I can try to implement some of your tips! Hoping everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

Evan