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05/03/2005 05:43:03 PM · #1 |
I finally plucked up enough courage to ask one of my work colleges if I could photograph her, she accepted, and we did a short session today at lunch on a gray day outside, and after work. Emphasis is on Stock photography. I have tried to pep up the images a little, but would appreciate your comments.
I can see my first error! Horizon through the head!!
Here I have tried to use a blue gradient on the sky to get rid of the grey.
No enhancements here
Light levels & USM. Probably a bit blownout??
USM Levels
Used a gradient on the Background.
Used Auto FX Dream Suite filter, and history on eyes & lips to make them sharp |
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05/03/2005 05:46:53 PM · #2 |
| I have an easy question, RE your horizon through the head comment. Where is it best to put the horizon? |
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05/03/2005 06:13:54 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I have an easy question, RE your horizon through the head comment. Where is it best to put the horizon? |
Not through the head.
hehe
just kidding. The thing to keep in mind about the horizon is to not cut through the head with the horizon; it just becomes too distracting. Its like creating a composition where something appears to be growing outta the subject's head.
I really like this shot with the noted exception of the horizon. Well, composed, well lit and well executed. This is very nice work.
I like the 2nd one but its pretty distant and difficult to pick up any details of the subject.
is a good idea but it has a couple of things to watch for. Shallow Depth of Field (DoF) causes the hair to be out of focus with no particular addition to the composition; you didn't seem to pickup any benefit from the shallow DoF. Conversely, when you opened up the aperture to create the shallow DoF, you left yourself vulnerable to the hot spots on the subject's cheek. Again, I like where you were going with the positioning but stopping down the lens might have given you a slightly better shot on that one. I think it would also be a nice idea to use the healing brush (or some other method) to remove the dark circle under the subject's right eye (in the shadows).
Love the expression. Again you went for the off-center placement and I think that shows a good idea on your part. The subject is turned into the composition and in such a manner that her hair isn't obstructing the view unnecessarily. Its a good start on a shot. You two look like you were getting along pretty good. This shot also has some bright spots but its not as noticeable as in the previous shot and I think you can probably see a difference in the blue background, too, due to a smaller aperture (I'm guessing its that instead of a faster shutter).
Love the DoF on this one and the sharpness you achieved. I can see it especially in the shirt and I think it would be noticeable in the hair, too, but we lose some definition in the hair without a little more light on it. A small reflector aimed back at the hair or a lower powered light might have helped the hair but all-in-all I like your execution on this shot best so far as the blue background shots go. I love how you've drawn the viewer's eyes to the subject with the out of focus hand/glass. Compositionally, I think this might have slightly stronger impact if you moved the frame so that the subject was more to the left side with the hand/glass centered more. It would take the whole off-center concept that you were working on in the two previous photos to another level because of the lines with the arm and fingers.
Now this is very good execution. Here the slightly brighter spots work into the blur/soft focus you've achieved to enhance the dreamy effect. This composition and expression seem to come from a completely different place. Very nice work.
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05/03/2005 06:25:44 PM · #4 |
Thanks, so it would be OK for the horizon to go through the shoulders, say, armpit-hight?
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05/03/2005 06:40:48 PM · #5 |
Nothing against your model, as it's just a simple suggestion - but I'd maybe try to get her to sit up straighter for the first shot. Just a personal nitpick, I suppose.
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05/03/2005 06:52:11 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Thanks, so it would be OK for the horizon to go through the shoulders, say, armpit-hight? |
I don't know how to answer that. Yes, I guess so???
There is no rule book anywhere that defines this for everyone but from the comments I've gotten before it seems like when the horizon (or any line) is well defined and prominent then it becomes distracting when it cuts through the head of a subject in a composition where the person is the main part of the composition. Now I go through magazines tearing out shots that I want to try and I find numerous advertisements where they've done one thing or another that seem counter-intuitive compared with what I read from other photographers. It just seems that in a composition like Peter's first shot most photogs who've given me feedback on my work tend to say that they find similar lines through the head distracting.
I think that in Peter's shot if the lens had been a little lower so that the head was outlined against the sky it wouldn't even be an issue. Its a nice shot and great work for his first time to ask someone to pose for him.
Kev
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05/03/2005 07:04:39 PM · #7 |
| Considering this as a first..it's quite impressive, I find the lighting to be well handled and the compo very apealing. I might have stayed away from the accessories. |
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05/03/2005 07:09:16 PM · #8 |
Thanks Kev.
I appreciate your time and the effort you put into replying.
I Find that when confronted with a situation where i have to act sort of professional, I just go to peaces & do the stupidest things.
Horizon didn't even cross my mind till I posted the photo here, even though I have read it dozens of times.
As with the apperature in the first shot. It was at F2. I wanted F8, but stupidly had my camera in P instead of Av. I Set it on the first photo, & on the second it was gone.
What F stop do others use for Portrait work. I find 2 to have too narrow DOF. I have to balance with my Shutter speed as I use permanent lights. (Energy save lamp soft boxes) but they are not as bright as a flash, therefors at F8 I am down to 1/30 to 160 sec which is a bit slow.
Brian: Looking at the image now, I see what you mean. I have to learn to look for things like that. |
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05/03/2005 07:13:37 PM · #9 |
I guessed stock photography b4 reading your comments :-)
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