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06/15/2010 02:29:16 PM · #1 |
This last weekend I tried my hand at some portrait photography for the very first time ever.
I have pretty much shied away from taking pictures of people in the past, as it seemed really daunting, but a close friend requested some pictures so I obliged.
I do not own exterior lights nor reflectors, so we went out when I thought the lighting was fairly good at sunset, and worked completely with natural light.
Since I have never done portraits before, I really have no idea whether the images are considered good or not. I would love to receive some feedback on what I am doing right, what I am doing wrong, what I can do better etc.
Here are my 3 favorites:
  
I would love to hear what you think about them.
Also, because I am feeling slightly guilty about asking for help so much recently, without myself really helping anybody in return, I will be happy to comment on a picture or two of yours with my honest opinion about it. Just no portraiture please, because obviously I don't know my way around that yet. |
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06/15/2010 02:49:40 PM · #2 |
| Left comments, would like to know what your iso was on these shots as they are a tad bit noisy. beautiful model by the way. |
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06/15/2010 03:19:45 PM · #3 |
Thank you for your helpful comments, smardaz (and you too Nova)
I was using ISO 100 in the beginning but switched to 400 as the light started leaving.
I believe the first two were 400, and the third was 100.
I am afraid I probably added quite a bit of noise with excessive smart sharpening. |
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06/15/2010 03:41:09 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Fiora:
I am afraid I probably added quite a bit of noise with excessive smart sharpening. |
try using this technique instead:
New layer from copy
Unsharp mask 18,40,0
Unsharp mask 150,.3,0 (note that is .3)
edit>fade unsharp mask 100% darken
Unsharp mask 150,.3,0
edit>fade unsharp mask 50% lighten
now turn that top layer on and off and see the difference these small changes made, especially good on head shots
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06/15/2010 04:03:48 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
Originally posted by Fiora:
I am afraid I probably added quite a bit of noise with excessive smart sharpening. |
try using this technique instead:
New layer from copy
Unsharp mask 18,40,0
Unsharp mask 150,.3,0 (note that is .3)
edit>fade unsharp mask 100% darken
Unsharp mask 150,.3,0
edit>fade unsharp mask 50% lighten
now turn that top layer on and off and see the difference these small changes made, especially good on head shots |
I use this Librido sharpening ALL the time. It works amazingly well.....I actually saved it as an "operation" in CS5. (I don't recall what the PS term for macros is) |
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06/15/2010 05:45:31 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by glockguy:
I use this Librido sharpening ALL the time. It works amazingly well.....I actually saved it as an "operation" in CS5. (I don't recall what the PS term for macros is) |
It's one of the few actions I have created, the first thing I run on a photo. |
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06/15/2010 07:23:28 PM · #7 |
[/quote]
try using this technique instead:
New layer from copy
Unsharp mask 18,40,0
Unsharp mask 150,.3,0 (note that is .3)
edit>fade unsharp mask 100% darken
Unsharp mask 150,.3,0
edit>fade unsharp mask 50% lighten
now turn that top layer on and off and see the difference these small changes made, especially good on head shots [/quote]
I use PS Elements 7 and I don't have the edit>fade unsharp mask option under EDit. Is there another way to achieve this? |
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06/15/2010 08:15:56 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by macwilyum:
I use PS Elements 7 and I don't have the edit>fade unsharp mask option under EDit. Is there another way to achieve this? |
hmmm maybe Bear will chime in on this, but I'll research it |
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06/15/2010 08:17:15 PM · #9 |
Whoa!! Fiora is that you? Your so beautiful!!
I really like the 3rd image..
Nice really beautiful!!
Message edited by author 2010-06-15 20:19:46.
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06/15/2010 08:18:30 PM · #10 |
got this from a google search:
" You can achieve the exact same effect by making a new layer at the top of your layer stack, merging your existing layers onto that, running Unsharp Mask, and changing the Blend Mode of the sharpened layer to Luminosity."
dont know if that helps |
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06/15/2010 08:21:11 PM · #11 |
Fiora something just dawned on me, what editing software are you using? And can you send me a copy of #3, I would like to try my hand at it.
J
Message edited by author 2010-06-15 20:21:57. |
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06/15/2010 08:22:08 PM · #12 |
Flora, you did a really good job - she must be happy.
Originally posted by NormanLUnderwood20:
Whoa!! Fiora is that you? Your so beautiful!!
I really like the 3rd image..
Nice really beautiful!! |
Reported the above post as spam.
Message edited by author 2010-06-15 20:23:38. |
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06/15/2010 08:31:19 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Lonni:
Originally posted by NormanLUnderwood20:
Whoa!! Fiora is that you? Your so beautiful!!
I really like the 3rd image..
Nice really beautiful!! |
Reported the above post as spam. |
LOL I can't tell if the account is a dummy account but I love the users "signature":
Signature: I finally got pregnant and after long years of waiting, I couldn't believe it! Read my story and how it happened. You too will experience the same!
ummm congrats norman?
Message edited by author 2010-06-15 20:31:45. |
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06/15/2010 10:37:35 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
Fiora something just dawned on me, what editing software are you using? And can you send me a copy of #3, I would like to try my hand at it.
J |
I use Adobe Photoshop CS3
I would be happy to send you the third image, but how should I best send it to you? I don't really know how that works. The only way I would know is to upload the original into my portfolio. Is that acceptable?
Also, would you like the original or the edited image I currently have? |
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06/16/2010 12:26:39 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
got this from a google search:
" You can achieve the exact same effect by making a new layer at the top of your layer stack, merging your existing layers onto that, running Unsharp Mask, and changing the Blend Mode of the sharpened layer to Luminosity."
dont know if that helps |
thanks, will try |
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06/16/2010 01:09:58 AM · #16 |
For sharpening I have an easier approach:
1. Make a new layer from copy
2. Put that layer in Overlay mode
3. Filter > Other > High Pass
Adjust the high pass to where you can just start to see the outlines of the image in the settings box and then apply. This method of sharpening works best I've found because it leaves the majority of the photograph alone except for the edges and lines (which is what needs to get sharper). This way you can sharpen just as effectively without increasing noise.
Message edited by author 2010-06-16 01:11:24. |
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06/16/2010 09:16:51 AM · #17 |
It looks like you had a nice rapport with the model. I like all three poses. The third is a bit forced looking, but it's still attractive. I wish the first photo was sharper. #2 is my fave of the three.
I'll have to try some of these sharpening techniques! |
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