First Military Studio Shoot

Someone contacted me whose son had recently 'passed out', at the parade they were really unhappy with the picture they got, so they wanted a few more.

Would love to hear people's opinions on them.

Thanks in advance

1.

I like them. A flag in the background might have been an added touch.

The first four, I believe, are just what the family is looking for. In #5, the facial expression lacks the confidence and pride that would go with this occasion. The subject looks unhappy. For #6, see what the clients think. It seems more of an artistic choice such as one would make in a fashion shoot than the kind of portrait suited to graduations and so forth.

Some clients would want the young man's skin blemishes cleaned up.

I agree, the only thing I don't like is that the acne is still very prominent.

Not saying you should smooth his skin, but the patch-tool over those temporary blemishes would never go astray. Also, I think you can push the contrast a bit more, the soft lighting is great for more feminine portraits, but for guys you can get away with a bit more punch (just personal taste)

Having a flag in shot would be the American thing to do. These photos are very British.

98kellrs wrote in post #18237923
I agree, the only thing I don't like is that the acne is still very prominent.

Not saying you should smooth his skin, but the patch-tool over those temporary blemishes would never go astray. Also, I think you can push the contrast a bit more, the soft lighting is great for more feminine portraits, but for guys you can get away with a bit more punch (just personal taste)

I agree: hard lighting is more masculine. Here, however, hard lighting would only make the acne problem worse, especially if it's directional. For subjects with, er, 'textured' skin, flat ligthing is better, even if it's not dramatic. Punch can still be added with kickers or rim lights.

They're excellent, but you should definitely fix the acne. If his grandchildren look back at these photos in 80 years' time, it'd be fairer to say that you wouldn't want him remembered for that.

#3 is the chicken dinner for me. I can appreciate the falling out at a parade thing even if I never did. They teach us to catch one another. It's not a slight on the service member as much as it is indicative of how much effort is required in a military formation. I'm not sure if I would do away with too much acne as it helps tell how young he was when he did this.

OhLook wrote in post #18237591
...
Some clients would want the young man's skin blemishes cleaned up.

I agree. Temporary blemishes always get cleaned up. I will tone down permanent ones 20-50%, especially on women, & will tone them down even more if they ask for it.

These are frame worthy to me. Looking back on my career, I wish now that I am rapidly approaching retirement that I would have had something like these to hang on my wall. I know that there are several opinions regarding the "I love me" walls and what may be considered "Fromage" when it comes to being hung on those walls.

These are very well worthy of being framed and hung. Nothing wrong with these as I see them. The acne to me is a matter of the individuals preference whether to clean it up or not. A full body shot would also be an option IMO depending on the what the person wants.

Thanks!

Thanks, I agree with what you say about #5, now I look at it again he does look 'miserable' rather than proud. They were pleased with #6, I did put it in as an 'extra', as you said, artistic licence and that hehe.

I'm used to cleaning up blemishes on ladies, all non-permanent blemishes are removed usually (permanent if they wish), but I've not shot a boy with this much acne before, the family were ok with it as 'it's what he looked like', which I agree to to some extent.

Thanks for the comments, I'm used to shooting children, and my fiancee in underwear, so I guess soft lighting is what I'm used to, I'm excited to try another shoot like this and will definitely be pushing the contrast/clarity

Thanks, that's a good figure for me to look at then, I definitely didn't want to remove it all, but knocking a bit off would be best, especially if the lighting is more 'dramatic'

Thanks for your very kind comments - They mean a lot.

I wanted a full body shot, but he forgot his shoes so was walking around with converse on