First portrait attempts

First portrait attempts · 06:42 AM

Hello,

I treated myself (and my K200D) to a new AF360FGZ flash on the weekend.
Had a little bit of time to try out some portraits with my girlfriend before going to a formal dinner.

Please let me know what you think... I am a bit nervous with posting but am happy with the results!

All done with kit lens, played with the tone curve and added a soften effect in PP.

cheers,
Jason

the swede · 08-31-2009, 08:29 AM

I think they're nice! Regarding composition it's all a matter of taste.

nr1: I would have done a closer one on the face and shoulders OR a bigger one with more chest, from the belly maybe, getting more arms. This one is kinda i the middle. There could be some more colour there, not saturation, but a litle more vibrant. She has a good hair color for PP. Remember.....its all about what feels right to your eyes.

nr2: Good one

Dont be afraid to post!!!

All the best / Mikael

**Ash** · 08-31-2009, 10:39 AM

G;day Jason.
That's what this forum's about.
Posting for critique and sharpening your skills.
Speaking of sharp, that's what these portraits are... and that's a plus.

Mikael's commented on composition and PP, but I'll mention lighting a little as it's my keen interest area for developing skills.

The flash has done OK to light up her face throughout and not produce any harsh shadowing. To me, it's a little flat, though - too evenly spread and not much texture detail can be appreciated. This could possibly be worked around if the direction of the light was less front on. Off-camera setups work best with this and fortunately your flash unit can do this, but as it lacks the swivel head, it may be technically difficult.

Nevertheless, if you want to see good examples of such portraits with directional light and lots of texture detail for comparison, have a look at the photos posted up by devisor, another member on this forum. He basically gets his results with off-camera flash, albeit a little more sophisticated than just a flash off camera, but the concept is doable.

goddo31 · 08-31-2009, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the comments

I will definately play with off camera flash when I can, I'm looking forward to it! We were in quite a rush for these - I hadn't worked out how to use the flash wirelessly as yet.

I'm quite a big fan of photos by devisor, his are simply amazing. Something to tentatively aim for.

cheers,

Jonson PL · 09-01-2009, 03:17 PM

Second shot is really good. First one, the light is not so good. Maybe not right WB. She also seems more at ease in the second shot.
Here are some tips from Ben :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/everything-else/68595-shooting-d-butante-...ttle-tips.html

goddo31 · 09-01-2009, 09:49 PM

Thanks Jonson.
The second shot was a lot more 'candid'.

Thanks for the link - I really like Ben's work also and there are some great tips in there. Will try some more soon.

cheers

skinja · 09-01-2009, 10:00 PM

It's all about getting started. these are good but I think you will see a vast improvement once you learn the flash and get it off camera.

Keep posting, the group here is great to work with and they help a lot in all aspects of photography.

Trust me I have put up some terrible photos and always had positive CC.

goddo31
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08-31-2009, 08:29 AM	#2
the swede Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,310	I think they're nice! Regarding composition it's all a matter of taste. nr1: I would have done a closer one on the face and shoulders OR a bigger one with more chest, from the belly maybe, getting more arms. This one is kinda i the middle. There could be some more colour there, not saturation, but a litle more vibrant. She has a good hair color for PP. Remember.....its all about what feels right to your eyes. nr2: Good one Dont be afraid to post!!! All the best / Mikael

08-31-2009, 10:39 AM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	G;day Jason. That's what this forum's about. Posting for critique and sharpening your skills. Speaking of sharp, that's what these portraits are... and that's a plus. Mikael's commented on composition and PP, but I'll mention lighting a little as it's my keen interest area for developing skills. The flash has done OK to light up her face throughout and not produce any harsh shadowing. To me, it's a little flat, though - too evenly spread and not much texture detail can be appreciated. This could possibly be worked around if the direction of the light was less front on. Off-camera setups work best with this and fortunately your flash unit can do this, but as it lacks the swivel head, it may be technically difficult. Nevertheless, if you want to see good examples of such portraits with directional light and lots of texture detail for comparison, have a look at the photos posted up by devisor, another member on this forum. He basically gets his results with off-camera flash, albeit a little more sophisticated than just a flash off camera, but the concept is doable.

08-31-2009, 05:20 PM	#4
goddo31 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,576 Original Poster	Thanks for the comments I will definately play with off camera flash when I can, I'm looking forward to it! We were in quite a rush for these - I hadn't worked out how to use the flash wirelessly as yet. I'm quite a big fan of photos by devisor, his are simply amazing. Something to tentatively aim for. cheers,

09-01-2009, 03:17 PM	#5
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Second shot is really good. First one, the light is not so good. Maybe not right WB. She also seems more at ease in the second shot. Here are some tips from Ben : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/everything-else/68595-shooting-d-butante-...ttle-tips.html

09-01-2009, 09:49 PM	#6
goddo31 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,576 Original Poster	Thanks Jonson. The second shot was a lot more 'candid'. Thanks for the link - I really like Ben's work also and there are some great tips in there. Will try some more soon. cheers

09-01-2009, 10:00 PM	#7
skinja Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denver, Co Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 968	It's all about getting started. these are good but I think you will see a vast improvement once you learn the flash and get it off camera. Keep posting, the group here is great to work with and they help a lot in all aspects of photography. Trust me I have put up some terrible photos and always had positive CC.