Artsy portrait

I know it's a little OOF - DOF was about 1/2 an eyelash. I still love it. Made it my new Avatar.

Its an artsy shot so maybe a little softness is fine. I even refrained from adjusting levels and sharpening because I felt it would detract.

135mm, f2.0 on FF, ISO 100, SS 1/320th.

Its good! The most important part about shooting "artsy" photos is that the artist does what they feel is right. I believe that there are no rules if you are trying to achieve a more artsy photo. If you love it and the photo is what you attended it to be then its great.

Thanks for responding! I was wondering if I was just being delusional that it's worthy; or if my post simply didn't lend itself to responding.

I guess my point was that I'd gotten too caught up in exact focus - automatically tossing any shot not solidly in focus on one of the eyes.

I'd like to study up on artsy poses and do another session with her.

I'm going for a candid look that reveals true (ie: not contrived) inner complexities in a simple look. Maybe a passing pensive look like this with good photographic principles such as motion, angle, lines, lighting, isolation, DOF, etc.

Where should I start?

I feel it's cropped a little tight... Shes doing something.. But I don't know what.. But giving it a bit of room would tell more of the story

Can it just be a head-n-shoulder shot?

She's just standing on a sidewalk looking thru the trees for a moment - tilting her head into the breeze that's tossing her hair towards her eyes but an expression that's reveling in her contentedness, that's the story really.

I like the lines the wind created in her hair, how the nose gracefully aligns with the edge of her face, her expression, the glow thru her beautiful golden hair, etc.

I guess I'm looking for "where to start" on creating more similar to this, but better. So; how to improve on this theme, without leaving this theme behind. Close-ups that evoke a creative sense. Is there a great book? Some pointers?

Rushmore wrote in post #16563737
I feel it's cropped a little tight... Shes doing something.. But I don't know what.. But giving it a bit of room would tell more of the story

Perhaps that's the point. In fact, that exactly what makes me look longer at this....the very fact that I don't know what she's doing.

The only thing that keeps me from loving the picture is the bit of motion blur....I wish that wasn't there. Otherwise, I like it.

I love the implied motion in the shot. To me, softness is acceptable in a shot that shows motion or movement. Bravo, I love it!

I'd like to see a crop showing a little more, but I feel like it would take away from the shot. I'd have to see it to be sure. Really, the subject and the motion is what turns me on about the shot. If you add more to take my eye somewhere else I might not like it as much.

Thanks for comments of appreciation. I was beginning to think I was on my own in really liking it.

When I saw this shot, I immediately knew I had a winner that also breaks several "Rules" (OOF, eyes not visible, etc). I was inspired to change my slant on people photography more in this direction.

As you may have guessed; it's my daughter. She's coming of age and has been absolutely *loving* her beautiful head of long, shiny, golden hair. She's in a happy place in life. I think this photo starts to capture those feelings. I'd love to take another crack and get some more shots as impacting as this one, or more so. I know I could use some good advice on where to take it from here.

saea501 wrote in post #16564877
Perhaps that's the point. In fact, that exactly what makes me look longer at this....the very fact that I don't know what she's doing.

The only thing that keeps me from loving the picture is the bit of motion blur....I wish that wasn't there. Otherwise, I like it.

Funny; I was thinking of this driving to work today. That leaving a little mystery is part of the "artsy appeal".

gsouder wrote in post #16564918
I love the implied motion in the shot. To me, softness is acceptable in a shot that shows motion or movement. Bravo, I love it!

I'd like to see a crop showing a little more, but I feel like it would take away from the shot. I'd have to see it to be sure. Really, the subject and the motion is what turns me on about the shot. If you add more to take my eye somewhere else I might not like it as much.

There's a touch of motion blur and I agree on it's merit. It is also slightly OOF though (2 inches behind the plane of focus). Next time think I won't do 135mm at f2.0 on a FF camera from 12 feet away. DOF is about 1/2 an eyelash. For that gear and distance, f7.1 would still give plenty of background blur while allowing about 3 or 4 inches of "error".

Oh, it's not cropped.