Might I have the honor of knowing your opinion...

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/23/2007 07:09:16 PM · #1

On this pic?

I'm VERY new to portraiture and I'm wondering if this makes any sense. Any and all comments are really wolcome.

Thanks in advance, it's really appreciated!!!

John

frisca

Nikon D70

04/23/2007 07:11:26 PM · #2

Hi John,

I think your photo's concept is interesting, but I"m having trouble identifying what it is you want to the main subject of your photo. If its the person and their eye, I'd suggest a crop off the right side to the edge of the guitar neck, or even into the guitar neck. A much more focused presentation of your photo. Cheers!

Message edited by author 2007-04-23 19:36:03.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/23/2007 07:54:03 PM · #3

Very interesting! I'll definitely try it. TY

bfox2

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/23/2007 07:59:21 PM · #4

The hotspot on his elbow is really unpleasant, I'd suggest playing around with some different lighting ideas.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

04/23/2007 08:25:49 PM · #5

Here's the crop...

It does bring out the eye more. As for the hotspot, it isn't the elbow, it's an acoustic guitar, and I can't get rid of it, 'cause it's really blown out.I should've shot in Raw!!!
But Ben, you're comment does point out that I'm not really showing what my subject is, so thanks...Gotta work on composition!

alexjack

Nikon D300

04/23/2007 10:00:18 PM · #6

John, nice interesting shot. Very different and technically good, the boy is very sharp, good colors, and appears exposed correctly. Compostionally there are some things to improve - imho. As frisca said - make sure you know what the subject is in the picture and then imagine using black paint out everything not important. In this case the guitar does set the environment so it's important too, just not as much as the person. Remember that the viewers eye is drawn first to bright areas, then areas of high contrast. Here you need a diffusion card or something to block the light off the guitar to remove the bright spot, I think also the background is too bright and needs to be toned down some. Finally, the guitar doesn't look vertical - the lines of the strings need to be or they are distracting. Hope this helps, keep up the good work.

Jack

I take it back about the vertical strings, they do appear ok. :-)

Message edited by author 2007-04-23 22:02:04.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/24/2007 06:24:24 AM · #7

Originally posted by alexjack:

Hope this helps, keep up the good work.

You bet this helps! Thanks a bunch!

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

04/24/2007 08:15:07 AM · #8

Now take your cropped shot and crop the bottom to just have the bottom spot on the fret in the picture. This reduces the amount of the guitar that's "blown" and puts the eye pretty close to a rule of thirds crossing (I'm guessing - didn't actually check.) See what you think.