Progression in confidence, 4 portraits.

So I've recently been getting asked to take "executive" type portraits at work for command photos or retirements. I was really happy with my first go at it and thought I nailed it until looking back yesterday and comparing the 4 that I've done so far. I thought I'd share them on here and get your opinions on them as well as I believe they've gotten progressively better. The camera settings changed from shoot to shoot (obviously) but the biggest change was with the lighting. The first 2 were with a shoot-thru umbrella and the last 2 were using my 26" Octa Rapid Box. All 4 of these were shot in the exact same spot with only 1 light and a reflector and using lessons learned from the previous shoot. Let me know what you guys think. CC much appreciated.

1. Shot with my Tamron 28-75mm & shoot-thru

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I'm not the best critic of portraits, but I like the lighting you're getting with the rapid box much better. The dark shadows under the chin and the bill of the hat are much light in the second two images. At the same time, the background wall is de-emphasized with this lighting. Only thought to improve would be to get a little fill lighting (maybe from a reflector) on the right side of the face (camera left), as there might be too much difference from side-to-side for some people's taste. But I think you're pretty close to where you need to be on these.

IMO, they are all salvageable, the last two with better lighting, but the crops are too tight - I hope these aren't SOOC Again IMO

I like the third one the best, although lighting is a bit flat.
In the last one, the area around the nose and the mouth is a little dark, as well as the left side of the photo. Maybe move the reflector a bit to, umm..., reflect more light?
Also, the left side of #4 fades to complete black and he loses a shoulder.
#3 is a little better in this regard.
Maybe move the light closer to the subject as well as the reflector to soften the shadows?

I think #1is the best of the bunch lighting wise for this type of miliarty portraiture.
An addtional light for crosslighting camera left would help to seperate with the background, add texture and dimension to their coats. It would make the last image the best lighting wise.
#2 has the best expression, but still not ideal. My opinion is that military portraits should be somewhat austere.
I envy you with your access to doing this sort of work. It looks like you're well on your way to putting it together.

I like the lighting and the contact with the subject.
One critical aspect from me would be the fingers...

Two suggestions:

You are definitely well on your way. A reflector camera left would have capped it.

Pull back just a little and get all of the hand and fingers in the image.

Honestly I would imagine that all four are very happy with the images. Now follow the few suggestions in this thread to push it to the next level!

BTW I see no issue with the crop aside from the hands.

tmoore323 wrote in post #16544137
IMO, they are all salvageable, the last two with better lighting, but the crops are too tight - I hope these aren't SOOC Again IMO

You really think the crops are too tight? I was trying not to show the edges of the table. Could you elaborate on your hope that these aren't SOOC? That one's got me puzzled.

I like the crop on the last one. Actually I love the crop on the last one. Why do I need to see his elbows - it not like my mind doesn't complete his arms?

The fingers slightly cropped on the 3rd wouldn't be such an issue if it weren't for the ring drawing my attention down there.

rivas8409 wrote in post #16545755
Could you elaborate on your hope that these aren't SOOC? That one's got me puzzled.

I think his point is that if they are SOOC, then you didn't crop them and thus have no ability to retrieve parts of the frame that were cropped.

rivas8409 wrote in post #16545755
You really think the crops are too tight? I was trying not to show the edges of the table. Could you elaborate on your hope that these aren't SOOC? That one's got me puzzled.

Your cutting off fingers and other parts that would add to the shots, I hope you can pull back a bit

BigSkyKen wrote in post #16545958
I think his point is that if they are SOOC, then you didn't crop them and thus have no ability to retrieve parts of the frame that were cropped.

Said better then I said it, thanks!

tmoore323 wrote in post #16545974
Your cutting off fingers and other parts that would add to the shots, I hope you can pull back a bit

Oh! Yeah, these are all cropped.

rivas8409 wrote in post #16546061
Oh! Yeah, these are all cropped.

Can you post the SOOC?