People Critique my portrait

Critique my portrait · 07:28 PM

Taken on a tripod with self time, as I am in the photo.... Portrait photography isn't what I normally do, so anything you see that could have been improved, please suggest.

SpecialK · 07-12-2015, 07:34 PM

Could use more attention to hair (yours) and straps (hers). Otherwise very nice.

normhead · 07-12-2015, 07:39 PM

That's a pretty good effort..... I'm not sure about the crop, or if it's not a crop, then maybe you should have moved back more. But you can never tell. You could have had a larger image and ended up with the same crop or you have a larger image and that was the crop you wanted. I find using the 12 second timer is kind of more like a selfie than a portrait. I tend tithing of portraits as more involved. Both in terms of location planning and report with the subject. But what you got is quite good.

I noticed the strap too... braless for these shoots I say... but as for the hair, how far do you want to go?. it's not a studio shot, to me it just looks like you're outdoors. You could make it a lot more formal... but on a 12 second timer, I'm not sure you'll do better.

A general rule for portraits...
Both your shoulders are too square to the camera, a light angle makes you look skinnier, and helps get rid of that 10 pounds the camera adds.

**MSL** · 07-12-2015, 08:04 PM

On the one hand, it is a nice shot, and hopefully one that will bring back memories for years to come.

If I want to get picky, I'll take issue with the lighting. There are some bright spots on the woman's cheeks and forehead and her right shoulder. Her skin tones are all over the map. These are things you could fix in PP if you care.

Reasonable choice of ISO/aperture to keep the two of you in focus without bringing up the background.

I'd say you got more right than wrong.

alamo5000 · 07-12-2015, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Could use more attention to hair (yours)

Haircut. For sure.

Dewman · 07-13-2015, 05:47 AM

Originally posted by MSL

On the one hand, it is a nice shot, and hopefully one that will bring back memories for years to come.

If I want to get picky, I'll take issue with the lighting. There are some bright spots on the woman's cheeks and forehead and her right shoulder. Her skin tones are all over the map. These are things you could fix in PP if you care.

Reasonable choice of ISO/aperture to keep the two of you in focus without bringing up the background.

I'd say you got more right than wrong.

There's not much I could add to MSL's comments. Maybe try for a little more "dramatic" lighting? And I don't have a problem with your hair. Those who have a receding hairline might be jealous?

Lukinosity · 07-13-2015, 08:43 AM

Frankly, I think your hair looks great. I wish I had it. And the strap bothers anyone? Oh my goodness.....that's real life. And easily cloned out in post if the two of you don't like it.

The bright spots were the only thing that bothers me. A cheap reflector might do the trick, but also it might be fixable in post. A nice moment captured here....and may you two always be as happy as you are in this photo.

Kozlok · 07-13-2015, 09:03 AM

Looks to me like you are facing into the sun. Both are squinting a little. Bright highlights. Maybe turn 45 degrees out of the sun.

Venom3300 · 07-14-2015, 06:41 PM

Thanks for all the comments guys. Its appreciated.

**UncleVanya** · 07-14-2015, 07:07 PM

What lens and f/stop did you use? I like it - it's very natural looking which I prefer for what this appears to be. I think the hair and bra strap are fine - but only if that's the best essence of who the two of you are. To take that without having to run back and forth you might try the optical remote. It's pretty easy to hide out of frame and still get the shot.

Venom3300 · 07-14-2015, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

What lens and f/stop did you use? I like it - it's very natural looking which I prefer for what this appears to be. I think the hair and bra strap are fine - but only if that's the best essence of who the two of you are. To take that without having to run back and forth you might try the optical remote. It's pretty easy to hide out of frame and still get the shot.

Pentax M-100 F/4 Macro shot at F/5.6.

Certainly the bra strap and hair should be fixed. These are just things that didn't really cross my mind since I am normally shooting wildlife and birds or landscapes. So it was just oversight/inexperience on my part.

I also have a remote, but sadly it was not with me at the time.

**UncleVanya** · 07-14-2015, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by Venom3300

Pentax M-100 F/4 Macro shot at F/5.6.

Certainly the bra strap and hair should be fixed. These are just things that didn't really cross my mind since I am normally shooting wildlife and birds or landscapes. So it was just oversight/inexperience on my part.

I also have a remote, but sadly it was not with me at the time.

LOL - if you think they need fixing - they need fixing. But honestly it's a sweet portrait of the real life people in the photo as they are.

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07-12-2015, 07:39 PM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	That's a pretty good effort..... I'm not sure about the crop, or if it's not a crop, then maybe you should have moved back more. But you can never tell. You could have had a larger image and ended up with the same crop or you have a larger image and that was the crop you wanted. I find using the 12 second timer is kind of more like a selfie than a portrait. I tend tithing of portraits as more involved. Both in terms of location planning and report with the subject. But what you got is quite good. I noticed the strap too... braless for these shoots I say... but as for the hair, how far do you want to go?. it's not a studio shot, to me it just looks like you're outdoors. You could make it a lot more formal... but on a 12 second timer, I'm not sure you'll do better. A general rule for portraits... Both your shoulders are too square to the camera, a light angle makes you look skinnier, and helps get rid of that 10 pounds the camera adds. Last edited by normhead; 07-12-2015 at 07:45 PM.

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07-12-2015, 07:34 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Could use more attention to hair (yours) and straps (hers). Otherwise very nice.

07-12-2015, 08:04 PM	#4
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,756	On the one hand, it is a nice shot, and hopefully one that will bring back memories for years to come. If I want to get picky, I'll take issue with the lighting. There are some bright spots on the woman's cheeks and forehead and her right shoulder. Her skin tones are all over the map. These are things you could fix in PP if you care. Reasonable choice of ISO/aperture to keep the two of you in focus without bringing up the background. I'd say you got more right than wrong.

07-12-2015, 08:51 PM	#5
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Originally posted by SpecialK Could use more attention to hair (yours) Haircut. For sure.

07-13-2015, 05:47 AM	#6
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	Originally posted by MSL On the one hand, it is a nice shot, and hopefully one that will bring back memories for years to come. If I want to get picky, I'll take issue with the lighting. There are some bright spots on the woman's cheeks and forehead and her right shoulder. Her skin tones are all over the map. These are things you could fix in PP if you care. Reasonable choice of ISO/aperture to keep the two of you in focus without bringing up the background. I'd say you got more right than wrong. There's not much I could add to MSL's comments. Maybe try for a little more "dramatic" lighting? And I don't have a problem with your hair. Those who have a receding hairline might be jealous?

07-13-2015, 08:43 AM	#7
Lukinosity Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 201	Frankly, I think your hair looks great. I wish I had it. And the strap bothers anyone? Oh my goodness.....that's real life. And easily cloned out in post if the two of you don't like it. The bright spots were the only thing that bothers me. A cheap reflector might do the trick, but also it might be fixable in post. A nice moment captured here....and may you two always be as happy as you are in this photo.

07-13-2015, 09:03 AM	#8
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Looks to me like you are facing into the sun. Both are squinting a little. Bright highlights. Maybe turn 45 degrees out of the sun.

07-14-2015, 06:41 PM	#9
Venom3300 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 714 Original Poster	Thanks for all the comments guys. Its appreciated.

07-14-2015, 07:07 PM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	What lens and f/stop did you use? I like it - it's very natural looking which I prefer for what this appears to be. I think the hair and bra strap are fine - but only if that's the best essence of who the two of you are. To take that without having to run back and forth you might try the optical remote. It's pretty easy to hide out of frame and still get the shot.

07-14-2015, 07:38 PM	#11
Venom3300 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 714 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya What lens and f/stop did you use? I like it - it's very natural looking which I prefer for what this appears to be. I think the hair and bra strap are fine - but only if that's the best essence of who the two of you are. To take that without having to run back and forth you might try the optical remote. It's pretty easy to hide out of frame and still get the shot. Pentax M-100 F/4 Macro shot at F/5.6. Certainly the bra strap and hair should be fixed. These are just things that didn't really cross my mind since I am normally shooting wildlife and birds or landscapes. So it was just oversight/inexperience on my part. I also have a remote, but sadly it was not with me at the time.

07-14-2015, 07:39 PM	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by Venom3300 Pentax M-100 F/4 Macro shot at F/5.6. Certainly the bra strap and hair should be fixed. These are just things that didn't really cross my mind since I am normally shooting wildlife and birds or landscapes. So it was just oversight/inexperience on my part. I also have a remote, but sadly it was not with me at the time. LOL - if you think they need fixing - they need fixing. But honestly it's a sweet portrait of the real life people in the photo as they are.