Please Critique These Portraits.

10/09/2004 08:21:01 PM · #1

Thanks for looking. I'm teaching myself portraiture and would greatly appreciate some advice or comments on these images. I know the subjects very well personally so my opinion is somewhat biased. I believe they're good images but need some objectve opinions.

Any comments or suggestions, technical or otherwise ?

10/09/2004 08:22:07 PM · #2

get your models to act more natural - they look abit tense

Message edited by author 2004-10-09 20:23:04.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

10/09/2004 08:25:52 PM · #3

The forth one down looks more relax and is the best out ov the four pics

soup

Canon EOS-30D

10/09/2004 08:27:26 PM · #4

i think they look pretty good.

try a slight S curve adjustment.

Donald

Canon EOS Rebel SL1

Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS STM

10/09/2004 08:39:15 PM · #5

Take advantage of your knowledge of the subjects. For example if the person loves soccer have them tell you their most memorable moment and capture that feeling on stills. I believe we all have a repetitive facial expression that defines our character. Set the mood of the photo session loud or quiet, colorful or dim to get that person in toutch with what really describes their being. With luck and maybe skill, you will begin to see your photos come alive and us dpchallengers will reap the benefits. As for your current photos, I can't see the soul behind the eyes. Great for passports and framed family albums. I hope your questioning will lead you to a much higher frame in photo life.

10/09/2004 08:49:47 PM · #6

Thanks David and Donald. Thats just the kind of feedback I needed. The shots were taken more as a technical exercise. I was testing my new flash by bouncing it and was very happy with the images.

As I know the subjects I can see a alot of emotion and "life" in them. Your feedback tells me a lot about how others perceive the photos.

I'll take your advice Donald and try to elicit more emotional response from the subjects while shooting portraits

10/09/2004 08:50:44 PM · #7

Please post your finished portrait - donald advice is great and i hope you take it

10/09/2004 08:52:05 PM · #8

Thanks Tim. I hadn't done any "Curves" on them and was thinking they didn't quite have the contrast I was after. I've just been giving the curves a tweak now and it adds quite a bit more punch to the contrast.

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

10/09/2004 08:55:15 PM · #9

Will do. It may be a couple of days before I can set up the shoot again. I'll drop it in the forums again though. :)

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

Please post your finished portrait - donald advice is great and i hope you take it

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

10/09/2004 08:56:35 PM · #10

I think they are all pretty good. I think #2 and #4 are the better ones. The poses look a bit less static. In #2 the young man's ear looks a little too bright. What kind of editing have you done on them?

10/09/2004 09:00:45 PM · #11

Not much editing. Hue/Sat then Channels to convert to Black and White.

Originally posted by micknewton:

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L

10/09/2004 09:09:16 PM · #12

They look really good I think. Maybe you should keep a razor on hand though ;-)

10/09/2004 09:24:17 PM · #13

Originally posted by kyebosh:

They look really good I think. Maybe you should keep a razor on hand though ;-)

10/09/2004 11:52:42 PM · #14

Bump.... Just this once.

I would really appreciate more feedback on these.

10/10/2004 12:06:47 AM · #15

enigmania ?
can you please give me your opinion on my photos?
Flowers

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/10/2004 01:52:38 AM · #16

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

enigmania ?
can you please give me your opinion on my photos?
Flowers

Done. :)

W.R.Miller

Canon EOS-50D

10/10/2004 09:25:42 AM · #17

The only comment I would add is that the skin on the male subject especially looks fake. Maybe neat image was used? I like the more natural look where you can actually see some pours or lines but if there are areas that need attention due to blemishes touch those up manually so you don't soften the entire image.

Just my 2 cents.

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi