Portrait

[henkbos]

Has been a while since I last posted here.
Portrait of my 19-year old daughter, taken outside in the shade with fill flash (Vivitar 285 on 1/16th).

http://www.henkbos.com/web_pics/nadia.jpg

[timmyquest]

stunning

[SoCal69]

Wow! Excellent... especially the eyes!

[Riccardo]

Won... Won.. Wonderful.
I'm speechless.
Eyes perforate th monitor.
Bravo.
Ciao.
Riccardo

[martcol]

That is such a nice shot! The symmetry works beautifully, the expression in those eyes is profound - mischief, beauty, sensuality, intelligence, intrigue... You name it, it seems to be there. I love these "simple" photgraphs that have underlying complexities. I'm desperately trying to think of something to say that critiques the shot instead of just flatters you Henk, but I can't! I get the impression that the eyes are slightly off level but that is the most minor thing and probably wouldn't alter anything... The colour, exposure blah, blah, blah... You must be proud of the shot and the daughter!

Well done!

Martin

[shniks]

Absolutely perfect!

[Meerkat17]

How something so simple can say so much

Well done

David

[slejhamer]

Since you are asking for critiques, there is a shot like this in one of the National Geographic books (I think the People & Portraits one). They positioned the subject just slightly off-center, and the text then explained how this made the image more dynamic. The eyes were still the main point of interest, but it did give a little more dynamism to the image than a more symmetrical shot. I like your shot, but this is something to consider.

Good use of fill flash. Do you use a Safe Sync with your Vivitar? I have the 283 but only use it slaved.

Cheers.

[henkbos]

Thanks for the comments. The origianl shots was slightly tilted and cropped because her hands were visible (to keep the veil tight).

As for the flash: no safe synch. Measured the current and it was within specs.

[kanwingshing]

Great composition! If you can turn it around as portait orientation, and then get even closer, that might improve the picture. Also you might want to try different lighting position, as the lighting right now is a bit flat and on the cool side.

[ssim]

Welcome back Henk. This is one of the nicest pictures that I have seen in some time. It is absolutely georgeous.

[Kell]

In a shot like this, it's hard to put apart the subject from the photo itself. Specially when the audience is mainly male (no offense intended, just stating the obvious fact that it's hard to put aside the fact that it's a photo of a pair of beautiful female eyes).

Still, the photo is nice, the eyes are deep and bright. I'm a great fan of eye photos, and surely your daughter would certainly prove to be a great eye-model.

As for the foto itself, I think there is a bit too much colour. For instance, those beads to the left/right don't really add anything to the shot imho. I understand that a crop would be hard to achieve though. Also, the upper band of the costume is partially over the right eye (left side of photo), which takes a bit away from the foto.

Not saying that I don't like the foto - which I do - just trying to look at it from a more critique angle. :)

[JZaun]

Being a newbe, I don't usually comment BUT,,, I loved that one. It jumped out at me. I almost felt like looking away from that stare! It felt alive. I can find nothing wrong. If everyting was perfect it would look unreal.. Way to go!!!

JZaun

[charly]

MAN...I really like this shot. Some day I'd like to be able to take one this good!

charly

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wonderfull Henkbos! :shock:

This is really fantastic.

Nice to see you back over here too.. :)

[henkbos]

Thanks for the critique.
I myself am not totally satisfied with the shot. It's a lot better than the original after some work in PS. I think the main reason is that my daughter is not familiar with this kind of attire. After just s few minutes she stated that she will never marry a man, who insist on veils :lol: :lol:
Hope to find a local model to pose soon.

As for the multitude of colors: it's a traditional arabic face mask; nothing changed nothing added.

[SoCal69]

Thanks for the critique.
I myself am not totally satisfied with the shot. It's a lot better than the original after some work in PS. I think the main reason is that my daughter is not familiar with this kind of attire. After just s few minutes she stated that she will never marry a man, who insist on veils :lol: :lol:
Hope to find a local model to pose soon.

As for the multitude of colors: it's a traditional arabic face mask; nothing changed nothing added.

Just out of curiosity... I'd be interested in what it is that YOU are not satisfied with.

[henkbos]

1. the mask is not hers and it doesn't fit properly
2. the mask isn't straight
3. it was bothering her eyes and she had to pull it down all the time. Her eyes are not fully open
4. shadows under her eyes; will work on that in PS
5. skin showing at the top

It was my first portrait session though, so plenty of opportunity to improve once I get my hands on another model.