Portraiture... comments pls. - DPChallenge Forums

08/25/2004 01:22:18 AM · #1

These are a couple of shots I took of my model Carla and I plan to give her prints. I converted to duotones and quadtones and I wonder if the printed photos will look exactly like what I see on my monitor.

I'd also want critiques of these shots. I like Carla 2 better. There is something about Carla 1 that doesn't sit well and I can't pinpoint what it is. Can you? Any critiques/comments especially the negative ones. Be less forgiving in your comments, I need to improve my portraiture. Thanks a bunch you all nice people. Off to bed but will check in the morning.

Thanks

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

08/25/2004 01:26:44 AM · #2

I think gravity is the problem in Carla 1. You've rotated it, but the scene looks wrong, because everything is falling 'down' to the right - so it doesn't look natural.

The second one is better, though her eyes are quite dead/black looking. Catchlights are the usual solution to help with this, with in general some more light in the eye sockets. I like the clean backgrounds you've used - the brickwork is very effective and no distracting breaks.

Message edited by author 2004-08-25 01:28:27.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

08/25/2004 01:34:53 AM · #3

Hmmm... I dunno about others, but the angle on Carla 1 is making me dizzy. I can't tell whether she is standing up, or if she was horizontal and you've flipped it upright. The other thing is the strong white light behind her head... it pulls your eyes away from her just to check it out.

Carla 2 looks nice. She seems a little uncomfortable ... both in her eyes and in the way she is holding her arms. The background is nice. Perhaps just slighly less DOF would be perfect.

Carla 1 had more of a smile... so that's a plus there.

Keep it up... try lots of poses, lots of angles (you don't have to go conventional ... some odd angles work, some don't).

08/25/2004 01:42:55 AM · #4

Originally posted by Gordon:

I think gravity is the problem in Carla 1. You've rotated it, but the scene looks wrong, because everything is falling 'down' to the right - so it doesn't look natural.

Your're right I rotated the image 90 degs ccw but I now changed it to the original orientation. Is this any better?

The second one is better, though her eyes are quite dead/black looking. Catchlights are the usual solution to help with this, with in general some more light in the eye sockets. I like the clean backgrounds you've used - the brickwork is very effective and no distracting breaks.

Your're right I rotated the image 90 degs ccw but I now changed it to the original orientation. Is this any better?

I'll try to put some catchlight on her eyes on the second photo.

Great comments, keep them comming in.

08/25/2004 01:46:42 AM · #5

Originally posted by dwterry:

Thanks dwterry for the critiques. I'll try to burn the white spot on Carla 1.

Carla is a professional dancer and when I did the shoot with here, she just did her own movements and facial expressions which I thought was nice and and will add some mood to the overall photo.

Thanks for all the comments.... but still looking for more. :)

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/25/2004 01:48:19 AM · #6

Yes, the orientation for Carla_1a is much better. Now you can try a bit of dodging and burning to add a little mood to the subject. :-)

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

08/25/2004 07:18:16 AM · #7

Posted my comments on the photos.

Thanks for sharing.

Kev

Photomama

Nikon D70

08/25/2004 09:47:49 AM · #8

1.) I agree, the angle looks off in both the rotated version, and the original. Maybe you should have tried to take it more head on? I don't know..Im not sure what you were after with that one. The hotspot is a bit much for me...it looks out of place.

2.) The skin tones look nice, but she has no catchlights. There isn't any life in her eyes.

~A

//www.alwphotography.com

08/25/2004 02:59:38 PM · #9

Originally posted by dwterry:

Keep it up... try lots of poses, lots of angles (you don't have to go conventional ... some odd angles work, some don't).

Will do. I think the odd angle was what I was going for. Obviously it didn't work. I have lots of shots of her and some had really odd posing and framing. Me not knowing what to do with a model just kept shooting while she moved around during most of the entire shoot. She was at one point literally rolling on the ground getting her dusty all over.