Portrait help! - DPChallenge Forums

03/03/2010 09:26:47 AM · #1

This is my VERY FIRST portrait that I have taken and liked! This is one of my best friends and She is an aspiring model so we went out yesterday and tried to put more photo's in our portfolio!

Please critique and please be as honest as you can I want to know the truth! :)

THANKS!!!

03/03/2010 09:50:29 AM · #2

Bump before I head out to class! :)

albc28

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/03/2010 10:11:21 AM · #3

It's a good photo. I like the camera location and the depth of field. And you have a great looking model. The suggestions i have are more post processing items you can do. Someone said a tighter crop, but I think the crop is okay. The angle of the photo itself is slightly bothersome. I would use the ruler tool in photoshop and using the line of the corner as a guide, straighten the photo out. I would heal the mole/zit she has on her chin and forehead. There is a slight shine on her cheek that make her look almost sweaty (if that makes sense?) that I think you can tone down some. Someone mentioned bringing her eyes out. While I don't see that as a major problem, the best way to do that is with the curves tool. Lastly I think it's the angle, lighting, and hairstyle mixed in one, but the area closest to us looks as if her hair is thinning some, I think you can use a mix of the heal and clone tool to fill that area and even it out.

I think you have a great start. You and this model can get out and get some great photographs together. You should post what edting steps you have already done to help us better understand what you did.

03/03/2010 10:36:31 AM · #4

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much for your input and I will definitely take everything said here into effect when I have time to go back a edit. I am planning on doing more photographs with her in the near future so be ready to do more critiquing!
:)
THANKS AGAIN!

03/03/2010 02:13:10 PM · #5

Well, I actually like the slightly off-vertical alignment here, but that's just me. Try straightening it up, see what you think. For me, I think it will become a bit static.

I would definitely play around with some tighter crops and see what happens. As often as not, one will JUMP out at you and make you go "wow"--and if it doesn't, then you are all the more sure of the crop you have. Sometimes just a small crop from one edge will do it. The normal skin retouching stuff has been mentioned, and is worth doing, I think.

If you gave me the shot and said "do something to this in 5 minutes for fun" I'd crop the bottom out, starting from where her right sleeve begins to show (the fragment of her hand showing is not needed). I'd crop in from the left to almost that same spot, but just a little wide of it. i'd crop in from the right until the back of her collar is right about the vertical centerline (making sure that a mortar line goes into the lower corner). And I'd crop down from the top until second mortar line above her head ends at the upper right corner, maybe even a bit more crop down that that.. This puts her left of center, rather than dead center, which adds a little subtle tension, energy, and the wall on the left is not adding much texture, in any case. And then I would look at it for a while, tweek the crops in and out, and watch for the wow. And then I might go right back to the original crop anyway.

The reasons I consider a crop on this image are minor, but here they are: the lower 25-30% of the frame has some hints of things that are not necessary to the image, and somewhat distracting. The hint of green, the hint of grey rocks, and the sliver of light, bright hand. A longer shot, cropped just above the knee, might allow the greenery and gray rocks to add more dimension and context. Or there may be some other clutter there that you really don't want at all!

None of this is criticism, just a thinking-out-loud thing as to how I might approach this image if it were mine. You did a great job here! And, even better news: you have a willing model to work with!! This is a great gift, believe me: it can be very hard to find people who are willing to have their photo taken at all, much less so if you want to "experiment" or "practice" -- models, even aspiring models, get that, and actually look forward to posing in front of a camera for you. How cool is that!?! Make sure you show her some images as the shooting progresses, and make sure to get her edited shots afterwards.

Another trick to use when shooting models (not every shot mind you) is to shoot from a lower position--this shot didn't need it, but sometimes it is good to be lower to get a good perspective: waist level is not bad, sometimes down on the floor will make them look tall and long-legged (and they do like that). If you look in a fashion magazine (pick up a copy of British Vogue at Borders if you can) vs US weekly or People or something with the paparazzi red carpet sorta shots, the paparazzi are often shooting from a standing position, or even up on a platform- the angle will make the subject look short, legs will be compressed, and the head may look large (things closer to the lens will look larger, things farther away will look smaller). Look at full length shots in Vogue, and you will seldom see them shot from a photographer-standing vantage point.

For headshot/portraits, vantage point (angle) can make a drastic difference, too. Next time you are out with your model friend, do a shot right at her face level, then some from slightly above & slightly below, then from higher above, lower below. None of those angles is inherently right or wrong--but you will see how they can be used to change the feel and mood.

03/03/2010 03:05:45 PM · #6

Wow! This is the most in depth critique I have ever had! Thank you so much! When you said "None of this is criticism, just a thinking-out-loud thing as to how I might approach this image if it were mine" That is exactly what I wanted! I will take everything you said into consideration for not only editing but also for next time we go do a shoot. I have already given her the copies of not only the original but also of the 3 top favorites that I have already edited. Again thank you soooooo much! :)

03/03/2010 04:57:25 PM · #7

You are welcome, sir.

I might add that since this particular model is your best friend, sharing originals with her is no biggie. Once you start working with other models, though, it is worth being a bit more selective and protective: be selective and show them the good frames on your camera, not every single one--you will have some duds, eyes closed, missed a great pose and captured and in-between awkward one, forgot to turn on the strobe, etc (it never happens to me personally, you understand, but I hear tales of such things ;) If folks see duds, then they can start to feel self-conscious/inhibited in front of the camera, afraid to "make a mistake". Showing them good stuff boosts their confidence and comfort levels.

Be protective as to what you give them after the shoot: originals straight from the camera are seldom of "deliverable" quality. If you are giving them Unedited Proofs from which to choose, resize them to a fairly small format, rename them (I include Proof in the file name), and add a watermark with Proof in it, etc. As you move forward, it is best to only put work "out there" that you consider ready for prime time. If it is a proof, mark it as such, so it is clear to any viewer that you do not consider it a finished article. Once it is out of your hands, you don't know where it will turn up :-)

But you are already doing the most important thing: Having Fun. Enjoy the shooting, have fun with the shoot and the people, it will show in the shots. Your enthusiasm is contagious, even here in a forum :-)

Oh, and when some guy on some forum says "Well' I'd crop it and do this and that and the other thing and this here is distracting and she should be off-center a bit cuz that's 'better' dontcha know" -- consider it if it feels worth considering, pay it no mind if not. Don't get wrapped around the axel trying to implement all those ideas, or assuming something is wrong with your image simply because you hear all those ideas from others. I, like everyone else here, have my own likes and dislikes: some love borders on shots, others hate them; some have to have the horizon level, others have to have it angled, others don't even notice; some insist on Rigid Compliance With The Rule Of Thirds, and others consider that to be absurd. In the end, it only matters what you think of the image at any given time. Being willing to listen is great, being willing to thoughtfully select from what you hear is greater still.

Happy shooting!

Message edited by author 2010-03-03 16:58:44.

03/04/2010 01:24:44 PM · #8

How about this? Tighter crop... took out her beauty marks and took some grain out... and then of course black and white. I must have tried 35412358745 different crops on this one. I still cant seem to find one that jumps out at me. :(

Message edited by author 2010-03-04 13:25:09.

03/04/2010 02:49:45 PM · #9

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Well, if no crops jump out at you, maybe it don't need a crop :-)

I think this particular corp is a little too close to the top of her head. B/w might work well for this shot, too, though you have some fantastic color and texture in the bricks that color will retain. As is, I would work on the b/w conversion--it could be a bit brighter overall, and her skin tones are a bit dark (for my taste, you understand)

With your permission, I will do a couple very quick edits of your image and post them for you.

03/04/2010 02:56:33 PM · #10

Go for it! I'd love to see other people's take on editing skills for this!

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

03/04/2010 10:01:14 PM · #11

Okay--didn't do too much (not really anything needed anyway)

Started with the full size version of your image:

very nice, btw!

Did some minor adjustments (opening the shadows on the jacket, no skin retouching, little opening of the eyes, levels, vignette)

Played with the tilt a bit to see what happens with it (pretty dramatic differences)

Removed the tilt and did a crop (after trying several, I kinda settled on this, though I think coming down just a smidge more from the top might work too)

Did a b/w conversion, with some local dodge, local contrast adjustments

Tools used were Aperture 2, Viveza, and Silver EFX

fldave

Pentax K5II

03/04/2010 10:31:59 PM · #12

Tried out the new Kevin Kubota Godzilla action:

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/04/2010 10:53:36 PM · #13

How nice for you t have a model to work with!

I agree with what has been said. I would like to have her eyes stand out a bit more - maybe a little bit of fill flash or reflector?

The only thing that bothers me about the shots is the color seem "off" to me. There seems to be a heavy red overtone and the skin tone is almost, but not quite, a purplish shade of red. I suppose it depends on what look you're going for, but I would change up the colors in post.

Keep up the good work!

03/04/2010 10:56:59 PM · #14

Originally posted by fldave:

Tried out the new Kevin Kubota Godzilla action:

oh, man, you better run.... Art Roflmao is gonna be huntin you down.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/04/2010 11:05:39 PM · #15

HAHA!!!!!!!!!!! i love the edit! i think i might show her that one! :D and again thank you soooo much for your help and input!

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

03/04/2010 11:10:17 PM · #16

I have another edit if you are interested.

I usually ask before just tossing 'em into the ring .

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/04/2010 11:23:06 PM · #17

shoot!

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/04/2010 11:34:04 PM · #18

add some cyan to the shadows. It's very red.

michaelmonn

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/05/2010 12:31:06 AM · #19

PP in the description. thanks for another fun shot to PP

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

03/05/2010 02:39:37 AM · #20

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by fldave:
Tried out the new Kevin Kubota Godzilla action:

oh, man, you better run.... Art Roflmao is gonna be huntin you down.

Whew is that wascuwee Dave??

senor_kasper

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/05/2010 03:06:35 AM · #21

I think it is a great portrait as it is. This is my attepmt at editing it.

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

03/05/2010 07:14:13 AM · #22

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

I don't know if it's been said before but stick a link to the original file on here so others can edit your image and list their steps taken to get the final product. The good thing about this site is that most of the people around here are more helpful in the threads than in a challenge. For some reason they are more honest outside of challenges. Also if you aren't already set your camera to shoot RAW images. To me it looks like you might have it set on med jpeg and you've tried to enlarge the image in post processing. I would like to have a go at this image but the 570x800 image isn't a good starting point.

03/05/2010 12:34:36 PM · #23

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

This is my VERY FIRST portrait that I have taken and liked! This is one of my best friends and She is an aspiring model so we went out yesterday and tried to put more photo's in our portfolio!

Please critique and please be as honest as you can I want to know the truth! :)

THANKS!!!

I don't know if it's been said before but stick a link to the original file on here so others can edit your image and list their steps taken to get the final product. The good thing about this site is that most of the people around here are more helpful in the threads than in a challenge. For some reason they are more honest outside of challenges. Also if you aren't already set your camera to shoot RAW images. To me it looks like you might have it set on med jpeg and you've tried to enlarge the image in post processing. I would like to have a go at this image but the 570x800 image isn't a good starting point.

I think his original has a link to full size. That's what I used to edit my versions, which are dpc-sized.

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

03/05/2010 12:45:52 PM · #24

Originally posted by chromeydome:

I think his original has a link to full size. That's what I used to edit my versions, which are dpc-sized.

Nope just the DPC size...

mbrutus2009 As soon as you get back into this thread hookusup!!!