My First Portrait Shoot. Need opinions.

[ZSutton]

I'm an Urban shooter by trade. I really wanna get into portraits, but I had a session with a friend of mine yesterday, and I am not too impressed with the results. Aside from lighting issues, the few that turned out well, I feel like they're a little blotchy. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong here.

http://i38.tinypic.com/258o12h.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/aw3n6d.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/2z67eo3.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/5006px.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/17769u.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/29e6vcl.jpg

[locky]

Hi Kristic, They seem underexposed and some white balance issues but I can tell you have an eye for photography. With just a little bit of help you will be there. Give us some details on what lens and camera you are using. Keep taking pics and checking settings it all comes in time. Unfortunetly my time has not come yet lol.

[ZSutton]

XTi, and a 50mm f/1.8

I had the f spot set at 1.8 most all of the time...and shot in raw.

[hecster]

yeah, they do look a bit underexposed. expose a little more, get a little contrast in there, and you'll be set. I love the lighting in the library shot. The lighting in the last shot is nice too, but her face looks a bit too soft.

[ZSutton]

I'm still playing around with them. I wish I had more shots to work with. We were only able to shoot for an hour or so, and we wasted most of that time joking around and whatnot (hence the laughing face on every one).

[amironsi]

no. 4 is too much head space and if you crop it it won't be enough for a good portrait.
and u need to work on the editing more to make the colors pop up more
Give it more time on the editing

[LoneWolf2]

all of them look OOF.
Parts are focused, but not the parts you would want focused.

[leninglass]

Like everyone said, they are underexposed. You seem to know the rule of third but you are using the wrong points. use the top ones at most =)

[bobbyz]

Expose for your subject. They are quite a bit under-exposed not just a bit. How were you metering?

And fill flash would be nice.

[JoYork]

They're underexposed - you can avoid this by learning how to read the histogram on your camera. I suspect the histogram is way over to the left, meaning the image is very dark. You need to get the mountain range more centred, and preferably closer to the righthand side. There are several ways to do this:

1) use flash on the subject (and/or a reflector) to get more light on her face

2) use exposure compensation

3) shoot manual - not as hard as it sounds. Use your camera's internal meter as a guide, shoot and then check your camera's histogram and make adjustments accordingly.

I love the library shot by the way. :)

[woodmen]

The composition is great. You really have a good eye. You just need to learn a few technical stuff and you'll have great pictures. There is 2 major problem with these pictures:

1- You have to use a reflector or a fill flash when the source of light is behind your subject of when you shoot in the shades. You can even use the build in flash for that but you will have better results with an off camera flash

2- Don't shoot wide open with your lens especially with the 50mm 1.8 Stop down to something like 2.5-2.8 and you will have great sharpness.

keep up the good work!

[masayako]

Improvement suggestion: I try to fill more light and put the focus back to her face. Her smile should be the focal point in my opinion.
#1: I would put light on her face. Enhance her nice features.
#2: I try to warm up the scene overall. See example below.
Hope that helps.

[i_b_fittin]

The Library shot is a great idea! Did they just let you go in and shoot or was it closed off? And the stairway shot is great! Love the shadows!
Masayako - nice job of editing on her face - She is a beautiful girl

[masayako]

Thanks i_b_fittin. It's fun to make the best of every moments.
The Library shot is a great idea! Did they just let you go in and shoot or was it closed off? And the stairway shot is great! Love the shadows!
Masayako - nice job of editing on her face - She is a beautiful girl

[ALaS]

I really like the third, fourth and last ones. The only thing is you look a bit underexposed. Nice ideas and compositions though, you're smile is very bright and photogenic. Like it should be in a springtime Target catalog.

[masayako]

One more.

[Chris]

Masayako, how do you put light on the face like that?

[masayako]

Masayako, how do you put light on the face like that?


Which picture are you referring to? I use CS3 to adjust the exposure first, and then enhance the lighting effect individually. Also adjusting the contrast curve quite a bit a give more contrast between the face and the rest of the image. Depend on each photo, the first and third one were taken outdoor, so neutral light for the face, the second one looks like it needs to be brightened up a bit and just give it a warmer look with a warm filter.

[Maureen Souza]

The first 2 really needed some help with exposure......

I gave the 1st shot a whirl.