First Portraits - Please Critique

[symes]

Alright Folks, I had my friend pose for me last night. She had no warning and feels she wasn't looking her best. While I don't agree, please let me know what you think and how these shots can be improved.

[symes]

Two more...

[Dirty Shirt]

Fine choice in model!

[AFCop]

I have no real experience with this type of photography, but if I may, I'll tell you what I see with these pics.


First off, I see absolutely nothing wrong with your model. Very pretty!
As for technical aspects of the shots;
Pic #1 and #4; Not sure what the camera is focused on. Should be the eyes/face. They both seem slightly out of focus.
Pic #2; Not sure...seems technically good (lighting, focus, etc.) but is missing something.....?:confused:
Pic #3; Not a flattering pose to me

Overall, I think #4 is the best here. If her eyes/face were in sharper focus this one would be super! You have a good subject and your lighting is good, I'd just work on the composition and make sure you're focused on the eyes if possible. And maybe try some with her smiling!

Take this for what it's worth, which isn't a lot coming from someone who hasn't been able to find somebody to model yet! Just my very inexperienced opinion!:rolleyes:

Please take more and post them here. I definitely learn from others' posts/critiques!

Keep shooting!

[Halliday]

Physically, the model is fine. Furrowing her brow is not flattering, but that probally came from her trying to please you :)
The focus seems a bit off and the lighting is lackluster. Maybe going outside might help?
I like #1 the best.

[symes]

Thanks for the critiques, keep them coming.

The lighting is horrible in here. I was forced to use the lights on the Ceiling, not much I could really do about that.

[symes]

One more thing. Does anyone have a good site where I can find a series of poses for models?

[Streetshooter]

In the first image you got her...she released to you and you to her...the rest are about posing and breast....not that she's not attractive but they are not about her...they are about what you see not what she actually is.....in the second one, the double triangle is handled very nicely......it's hard to get to make portraits that are really about the experience of being in the same here and now but you did it in #1......technically....that's all camera bullcrap talk.........forget about it and just be a photographer and make images.......don

[charlesu]

First of all, the model is lovely. Lucky guy! And the pics, on the whole, are not bad.

Couple of suggestions: Watch the odd angles. The usually do not work and you can end up with stuff that's either not flattering or simply looks odd. The wrinkled brow is an example. The other thing I'd look at is making sure the lighting is soft and even. Here it looks soft but it is directional and can be improved with a reflector. Either one purpose made or by using a sheet of foam core, card stock, etc. as a bounce.

Otherwise a little digital editing and some USM in PS and voila! You're there.

[cjm]

The pictures are great but the lighting could be a little better. If you have photoshop you can easily fix that. Nice work!

[symes]

How would you start about fixing them in Photoshop? What would you do first?

[symes]

First of all, the model is lovely. Lucky guy! And the pics, on the whole, are not bad.

Couple of suggestions: Watch the odd angles. The usually do not work and you can end up with stuff that's either not flattering or simply looks odd. The wrinkled brow is an example. The other thing I'd look at is making sure the lighting is soft and even. Here it looks soft but it is directional and can be improved with a reflector. Either one purpose made or by using a sheet of foam core, card stock, etc. as a bounce.

Otherwise a little digital editing and some USM in PS and voila! You're there.

Coming from you, with the array of models you have at your disposal, I am sure she will take that as a large compliment.

[symes]

Physically, the model is fine. Furrowing her brow is not flattering, but that probally came from her trying to please you :)
The focus seems a bit off and the lighting is lackluster. Maybe going outside might help?
I like #1 the best.

What does Furrowing her brow mean? hope I am not the only one lost on that one...

[TexKen]

I like #4 the best - just something about the way she's looking at the camera - draws you in.

[Halliday]

What does Furrowing her brow mean? hope I am not the only one lost on that one...

fur·row http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/JPG/pron.jpg (https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fsearch%3 Fq%3Dfurrow) ( P ) Pronunciation Key (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/ahd4/pronkey.html) (fûrhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/prime.gifhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/omacr.gif, fhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/ubreve.gifrhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/prime.gifhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/omacr.gif)
n.

A long, narrow, shallow trench made in the ground by a plow.
A rut, groove, or narrow depression: snow drifting in furrows.
A deep wrinkle in the skin, as on the forehead.
From dictionary.com
:)

Those forehead wrinkles. They're not good. I know. I've worked with attractive girls before and those wrinkles just ruin it.

[Zeke]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4473&stc=1

I hope you don't mind, but she has a lovely face... I had to maximise her beauty! :cool:

http://img228.exs.cx/img228/5716/tanya7touchedup7ov.jpg

[symes]

Zeke,

I could likely do that but I would have to ask her to put make up on before the shoot instead of adding it in Photoshop...How did you do that? Could you send me the details or post them I am sure that I am not the only one interested...

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

Hi,
The first one has a strange angle which in this case I don't really like.
2 is much better and the second series is also better.
For a first time this is very good.

You can try experimenting more with bounced flash, or with a more diffused flash.
But this is going really good.

Greetings,
Frank

[berto]

hey symes, here's a try from me. hope you don't mind.
i tried to keep it as natural as i could. smoothened out her facial skin a little though it looks very nice naturally.
sharpened her eyes a little, her nose a little. added a little red on her lips a little. the lower portion i lit up a little and left the rest out.

http://photos6.flickr.com/6577619_cb673ecb80.jpg

[symes]

hey symes, here's a try from me. hope you don't mind.
i tried to keep it as natural as i could. smoothened out her facial skin a little though it looks very nice naturally.
sharpened her eyes a little, her nose a little. added a little red on her lips a little. the lower portion i lit up a little and left the rest out.

http://photos6.flickr.com/6577619_cb673ecb80.jpg

Berto,

That variation is really quite nice, can you share every little bit that you did, did you use photoshop, how much did you sharpen etc... I am a complete Photoshop novice and though I am learning it is one heck of a program to even be able to call yourself adept at...

Thanks...

[berto]

symes,
its more like a method i learned along the way.
because you are just a beginner as i am(kinda). you might want to check http://www.good-tutorials.com/

it will teach you a lot about what you can really do with photoshop. there's a basic section , a retouching section, etc... one lesson at a time otherwise you'll flood yourself and forget the techniques.

berto

[symes]

symes,
its more like a method i learned along the way.
because you are just a beginner as i am(kinda). you might want to check http://www.good-tutorials.com/

it will teach you a lot about what you can really do with photoshop. there's a basic section , a retouching section, etc... one lesson at a time otherwise you'll flood yourself and forget the techniques.

berto

Berto,

Great site...my oh my there is a lot of information there though...I bought a book called "How to Wow" and tried a few of the basic things the other night. Ther first attempt can be found here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62291

It really is a trial and error practice. Thank god for he step backwards button and the multiple layers...