Portrait C&C

[chughey]

I shot this for a musician friend of mine:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4126969918_04013194b1_b.jpg

my personal feelings when looking at it are that it is lacking a hairlight which I didn't really have available at the time. looking into more lights :) Shot with 1 light and reflector for fill.

[namaste_lv]

I like the use of the wood tones and the side lighting is fairly nice.

The hand holding the wine is a little hot and the pose is a little awkward. The even amount of dead space on either side makes me wonder why it is there at all. It is almost as if this were shot to be cropped square. See how it looks cropping off the right some. The Wine side has a stronger negative space that you could work with a little more.

Nitpicks

If you lost the chair back by recomposing you could simplify the the background as well.

The pendant is peeking out just a little either lose it or move it around so it can be seen.

Thanks for sharing.

[ShutteringFocus]

I like the use of the wood tones and the side lighting is fairly nice.

The hand holding the wine is a little hot and the pose is a little awkward. The even amount of dead space on either side makes me wonder why it is there at all. It is almost as if this were shot to be cropped square. See how it looks cropping off the right some. The Wine side has a stronger negative space that you could work with a little more.

Nitpicks

If you lost the chair back by recomposing you could simplify the the background as well.

The pendant is peeking out just a little either lose it or move it around so it can be seen.

Thanks for sharing.

Agree.

But I just wanted to say that you have really REALLY nice catch lights in this photo. Nice job.

[chughey]

ok guys, took ur tips into consideration. Made some quick changes:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/4126379661_00de44883d_b.jpg

[ShutteringFocus]

Umm...doesn't work as well for me.

I actually like the negative space in the first one.

I would try maybe cropping out some of the blank space on the right of the photo (as you view it) but leaving everything else, just to move the subject slightly off center.

[chughey]

Umm...doesn't work as well for me.

I actually like the negative space in the first one.

I would try maybe cropping out some of the blank space on the right of the photo (as you view it) but leaving everything else, just to move the subject slightly off center.


thats kind of what i was thinking. I think the black brings u into the subject. I kinda liked it that way but was willing to process it without the deadspace.

[namaste_lv]

thats kind of what i was thinking. I think the black brings u into the subject. I kinda liked it that way but was willing to process it without the deadspace.

The dead space on the left works, it's the right that seems off.

[chughey]

cropping one side would leave it with weird dimensions IMO. I think I'll have to leave the dead space even.

[juanpafer]

I like the dead space and the overall feeling on the first one, but...
The glass looks dirty, both hands look awkward (specially the left one, and he needs a manicure), and the right hand is too hot.
You are right about the hair light...
The detail on the back of the chair seems to be growing from his neck... easy to clone.
but again I like the overall feeling of the picture. Very nice!

[SJC from VT]

I like both versions...though it would be better without the drink. The eye glasses work ok for me.

[jetcode]

It looks like you have received some great critique and made some adjustments accordingly which really improve the image. My only suggestion is that the eye whites could be lifted slightly to lose a little of the dullness.

[drumsfield]

I like the space in the first one, the glass is dirty. Great picture

[Tintwhistle]

Very good image - I can't make up my mind on the crops, but think a little more so
space on the left would be better. I think there are too many props and would get rid of the spectacles.