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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> Beginner Portrait - Please comment
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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
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10/01/2004 10:34:00 AM · #1
This is a first time portrait taken in a homemade studio in my basement. I want to improve, so feel free to fire away.

Thanks for your time
Rich D.

Message edited by author 2004-11-04 15:46:48.
10/01/2004 10:41:44 AM · #2
I would say that is great for the first portrait from your homemade studio.
Based on the slightly flat lighting on the face and the position of the catchlights, you may want to more your primary light just a little higher and more to the side so it doesn't hit your subject straight on.
10/01/2004 10:51:47 AM · #3
focus seems a little soft to me, but the colors are nice.
10/01/2004 10:54:03 AM · #4
Nusbaum, what exactly do you mean by flat lighting? Please explain what it is and maybe what causes it?

Longlive, The sharpness of a portrait is a preference, a lot of people like soft focus. Maybe that's what RD was going for.

In any case, I think this is really well done!
10/01/2004 10:55:13 AM · #5
Originally posted by kyebosh:


Longlive, The sharpness of a portrait is a preference, a lot of people like soft focus. Maybe that's what RD was going for.


i know that, just pointing it out just in case it wasnt what rd was going for.
10/01/2004 10:58:11 AM · #6
I see just slight motion blur in the eyes, but really this isn't a bad shot! This is the first? It rocks! Keep it up and next time have your little one smile. :-) Beautiful eyes BTW.
10/01/2004 11:00:38 AM · #7
Originally posted by Nusbaum:

I would say that is great for the first portrait from your homemade studio.
Based on the slightly flat lighting on the face and the position of the catchlights, you may want to more your primary light just a little higher and more to the side so it doesn't hit your subject straight on.


I like the light where it is at on children. If he were looking at the camera the catchlight in his eyes would have been on the side.
10/01/2004 11:07:07 AM · #8
I think what he means by "flat lighting" is lighting from directly behind the camera on the subject. It lights up the subject well enough but to the point that contours are hidden (flattened). Lighting to the side a bit more would "sculpt" the subject, show the contours of his face.
For a first time portrait...excellent job.
To keep learning try different things. See what the shot would look like with sharp focus, lighting to the side, or even a second lighting source behind the subject, high up and off to the side to show highlights of his hair. Catchlights in the eyes are nice.
Good work.
10/01/2004 11:24:59 AM · #9
Cute kid, I like his stare [not typical of a portrait, more of a deer-in-the-headlights but I did it]..

I didn't see anyone else mentioning this but you may want to light the background.
10/01/2004 11:34:51 AM · #10
Thanks for taking the time for those who made comments. As far as the softness or motion blur in his eyes... I agree, I'd like it to be a little sharper also. But the problem is, I'm using a point-and-shoot A20, which has no shutter speed (or ISO)control. So the camera keeps using 1/8 or 1/4 sec for the shutter, which is tough when your 3 year old subject won't sit still.

I'd like to play around with the lighting a little more as well. But until I upgrade to a D-SLR, I feel lucky to get any results that aren't extremely blurry.

Thanks again for the comments... I'd love to hear from others.
Rich
10/01/2004 11:38:54 AM · #11
for a first timer, I'd say very good. I'm not big on reflections in the eyes, but it's not such a big thing in this shot.
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