First portrait session - ok?

Hey, I'd appreciate any suggestions that you might have on this photo, regardless of how nitpicky they are. Thanks for looking:

Looks good!

clone out the blackheads! jk :P good photo!

Thanks to both of you.

The lighting looks good...nice ratio avoids the flat lighting look.
Color looks good, too.

Posing square to the camera breaks "rules" but I think this one is OK....do you have other poses, too?

what was your setup? just asking, this is what i would like to acheive. im a noob.

technically it's fine. Artistically it's super boring.

ewheeler20 wrote in post #13347543
technically it's fine. Artistically it's super boring.

Well, I thought it was mildly boring. But upon second glance, I can see that it actually does fall into the 'super boring' class.

I do have some more that I'll post later tonight.

A couple more from this shoot:

I don't know about it's artistic value, but as your post boldly states that it's your, "First portrait session" and asks if it's "ok?", then I'd say that's a definite 'yes'... in fact, I'd say it's bloody good!

I really like the third shot but maybe a bit separation from the background... a wee back light or something? Nice shots though... I wish my first portrait session was that good!

JimMcrae wrote in post #13350231
I don't know about it's artistic value, but as your post boldly states that it's your, "First portrait session" and asks if it's "ok?", then I'd say that's a definite 'yes'... in fact, I'd say it's bloody good!

I really like the third shot but maybe a bit separation from the background... a wee back light or something? Nice shots though... I wish my first portrait session was that good!

Thanks Jim. I appreciate the kind words. I had a hair light but I do not appear to have positioned it properly. I have another session this Saturday so I'll keep your suggestion in mind.

I like first and last shot. Smile on second looks a bit forced or fake (though, it looks like photo from stockphoto). Is it self-portrait? I think it is great for first session and I would love to know what was the setup.

horsik wrote in post #13352243
I like first and last shot. Smile on second looks a bit forced or fake (though, it looks like photo from stockphoto). Is it self-portrait? I think it is great for first session and I would love to know what was the setup.

ditto!

horsik wrote in post #13352243
I like first and last shot. Smile on second looks a bit forced or fake (though, it looks like photo from stockphoto). Is it self-portrait? I think it is great for first session and I would love to know what was the setup.

Not a self-portrait, but I do look similar - just 13 years older and 50 lbs. heavier, haha.

The setup was just a bare 51" PLM center, 51" PLM that I wheeled around depending on the angle of this face/nose, and a hair light above on a boom with a bare reflector. I had another light that I could've used for the background but I am short a light stand - got to pick one up.

A few things I learned:
- try to notice the small things (wallet in pocket, shirt bunching up, white socks showing, etc.)
- look for clipping in the shadows too, not just the highlights
- re-focus after zooming
- have an assistant (especially one that does makeup!)

JimMcrae wrote in post #13350231
I don't know about it's artistic value, but as your post boldly states that it's your, "First portrait session" and asks if it's "ok?", then I'd say that's a definite 'yes'... in fact, I'd say it's bloody good!

i 2nd this. although this might seem girly, i like the ribbing of the shirt. focuses the eye back up to the face!