My Husband is a reluctant model...

but I think he is a great subject!

This is the first time I have attempted this kind of photography so I would be grateful for any constructive critisism and comments on my work.

All the shots were taken in our rumpus area using just normal household lights as I don't have any photography lighting equipment (and an on camera flash) then edited in photoshop after.

Oh, and please go easy on my hubby as its his first time too....

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Here's some more...

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oooooooh!
i like what you've done here ~ especially the first one. the subtle colour looks great!
your hubby is a great subject

Nice shots! The only critque I qould have is to do with the post processing. Have you used diffuse glow or something? It gives a nice soft look to the shots but for me (and this is probably just a personal preference) i still like to see sharpness and detail in the eyes. To show you what I mean I have taken one of your images (hope you don't mind) and tried to sharpen the eyes. I duplicated the background layer and applied Smart Sharpening to it. I then put a layer mask on so that the only sharped bits that would show where the eyes, lips and nostrils. I then brought the opacity of this layer down untill the effect was subtle. See what you think:

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Spoonford wrote:
Nice shots! The only critque I qould have is to do with the post processing. Have you used diffuse glow or something? It gives a nice soft look to the shots but for me (and this is probably just a personal preference) i still like to see sharpness and detail in the eyes. To show you what I mean I have taken one of your images (hope you don't mind) and tried to sharpen the eyes. I duplicated the background layer and applied Smart Sharpening to it. I then put a layer mask on so that the only sharped bits that would show where the eyes, lips and nostrils. I then brought the opacity of this layer down untill the effect was subtle. See what you think:

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That looks heaps better! Thanks! I'm going to have a go at doing that myself...I'm a self taught photo shopper and still have heaps to learn. And yes I did use difuse glow on that shot to soften it...and to disguise the fact that as I took a couple of the shots hand held I used a higher ISO - making the shots grainy...
Did you use Photo shop for the editing or another program? I just don't remember seeing 'smart sharpening' before...and I've not ever attempted a layer mask before either - but there is a first time for everything!

Desi wrote:
oooooooh!
i like what you've done here ~ especially the first one. the subtle colour looks great!
your hubby is a great subject

Sorry Desi, I missed your post first time around!

Thanks for the compliments - and you have just made hubby's day too!

Smart Sharpening is a filter in Photoshop CS2. There is a section here on this site that deals with Post Processing >> https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=34606

The trick is to play around lots and see what you get! Also if you use photoshop try and get hold of some "actions". I have some sharpening ones and skin softening ones, by watching how they work you can learn loads!

Wow thats a great thread...I can see that I am going to be busy for a while now!
Actions? I've never heard of them - are they like interactive cd's or tutorials?
I certainly have heaps to learn, bt as I am willing to play heaps I am sure that I will learn more (in the far, far future....), but sometimes its just sooo frustrating.
Thanks for your pointers I really appreciate it!

I think they are great shots, I like #1 best. Maybe try a few more facial expressions thats my only suggestion.

You are right, they all start to look the same after a while...the thing is he really was a reluctant model...and that face was all he was willing to give me.

I'm just lucky that he is so photogenic.

Yes my dh won't let me even take that much. All I get are snapshots of him with the dogs.

Don't give up yet, its taken me ten years to get him to trust me with a camera....Digital made a differance because we could delete them if he didn't like them.
But he likes these shots so hopefully he will be a bit more willing in future.