My first portraits. Please comment.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

09/01/2006 04:36:20 PM · #1

Please take a look at these and let me know what you think. I can take it. Please tear them apart. I am trying to figure out lighting, angles and poses.

brizmama

Nikon D200

09/01/2006 04:45:25 PM · #2

Left some comments :)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/01/2006 05:16:09 PM · #3

I hoped for a few more opinions.

wavelength

Nikon D300

09/01/2006 06:25:30 PM · #4

Your lighting is nice and flat if you go for that sort of thing, most people on the artistic portrait would use a key light and a fill light instead.

Placing the key to one side, and then a fill (stopped down to 1/2 or 1/4) just to the other side next to the camera or above would provide more dramatic lighting that provides a 3d feel to your 2d picture.

Play around with directions, use cross lighting (direct 90 degrees off camera from both sides), use a light from behind to make a rimlight around the hair or ears or ridgeline of face if turned, and then a fill from opposite side.

Play. ;o)

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

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

09/01/2006 06:29:57 PM · #5

Its a long read, but have a look through Portrait Lighting - Learning Thread

You'll read it again there, but basically and initially - the light is a bit flat and your models are too close to the backdrop. For whatever reason, instinct is always to put models 'against' the bg, but 5 or 6 feet makes SUCH a huge difference....

angela_packard

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/01/2006 06:32:35 PM · #6

i left a few comments...hope they help!

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

09/01/2006 07:02:40 PM · #7

Thank you everyone.

Tomorrow, I will try it again. My daughter and her friend will be here again. Next time, I will have my wife get them some fashionable clothes, do their hair and makeup. I will make sure they are at least 6 feet from the backdrop, and I will try to move my lights around a little to get a "less flat" effect.

I will try to post them tomorrow evening.

TonyT

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

09/01/2006 07:05:35 PM · #8

I know critique / criticism can be hard to take, but seriously, if you take some of the sage advice her to heart, I'm so sure you will be happier with your next attempt. That's what learning is all about.

:)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/01/2006 07:11:45 PM · #9

Originally posted by idnic:

I asked for them to be torn apart. I want to get real honest critism. I want to know everything that I am doing wrong, and everything that I can improve.

My goal is to start doing this for a living.

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

09/01/2006 07:42:48 PM · #10

I posted some comments. The big thing I see is your color balance if off. The girls themselves are cute, and paticularly the 2 single portraits are very cute. But along with some of the other comments that were made, your color is off a bit in them. I left a comment on the redhead portrait on how to try and neutralize your color.

Mike

moniepenny

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

09/01/2006 07:49:39 PM · #11

To be honest, I think your backdrop is holding your pictures back from their potential. I think it's kind of ugly and clashes with everything in sight.

But the photos are quite nice themselves, and I like the poses. : )

judojoe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/02/2006 01:53:36 AM · #12

I think monipenny is right "Tone" I reckon there is a bit too much going on with your backdrop.
You could try to bring your subjects foreward and open your lense up a bit more which will blur out that nasty canvas.
I have a Lastolite Mini Scroll with a light coloured canvas which is a much more nuteral colour.
Have a Butchers at my Portfolio.

Cheers.

Joe

Jaded_Housewife

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

09/02/2006 02:05:46 AM · #13

not too sure if its been mentioned yet but there skin looks very orange in these. hth

09/02/2006 04:24:21 AM · #14

I took the original RAW and tried it again.

I think the color looks a lot better.

footfungas

Panasonic DMC-FZ20

09/02/2006 04:33:11 AM · #15

The lighting just seems kinda boring to me cause its so flat.
I dunno what your aperture was but jack it up to blur the background.
If you stand back and zoom it will help decrease depth of defoucus the BG.
Zooming is also supposed to look better in portriats, but ive never tried it.

ionyou

Fujifilm FinePix S602Z

09/02/2006 05:48:06 AM · #16

Originally posted by TonyT:

I took the original RAW and tried it again.

I think the color looks a lot better.

To be honest, I don't. Not only is the lighting still flat, but now she looks pale as well. Maybe using colored lighting or a gold reflector and bounce lighting off of it would help with that. And no the effect is not the same as doing it in photoshop. I'm afraid you just can't fix in photoshop what needs to be done in the studio, sorry. Can't wait to see your next attempt using some of the suggestions here. Portraiture is a lot harder than it looks! I'd like to learn along with you how different lighting can make a difference.