People A recent shot

wshi · 12-28-2010, 02:08 AM

Hey guys, here I have another portrait of a friend that I'm rather fond of, I'd like to know what you guys think of the post processing. Also, how do you feel about the borders? Thanks!

And perhaps to spark some discussion, I'd been following a fellow's portrait 365, and I think his results are quite extraordinary. After I finished processing this shot, I realized that the look I achieved is somewhat similar (even the borders, I never really noticed that he simply makes it square, I was doing it for simplicity), although his work seems more refined. How do you guys think he gets that look? (full frame and L glass or equivalent probably helps

)

365 / 2010 - a set on Flickr

Sparkle · 12-28-2010, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by wshi

Hey guys, here I have another portrait of a friend that I'm rather fond of, I'd like to know what you guys think of the post processing. Also, how do you feel about the borders? Thanks!

And perhaps to spark some discussion, I'd been following a fellow's portrait 365, and I think his results are quite extraordinary. After I finished processing this shot, I realized that the look I achieved is somewhat similar (even the borders, I never really noticed that he simply makes it square, I was doing it for simplicity), although his work seems more refined. How do you guys think he gets that look? (full frame and L glass or equivalent probably helps

)

365 / 2010 - a set on Flickr

Here is what I think:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/41-photo-critique/79146d1293528010-people-recent-shot-portrait-.jpg

Sparkle · 12-28-2010, 02:25 AM

The second is my quick PP image.

wshi · 12-28-2010, 11:53 PM

Interesting interpretation... uh... any particular reasoning behind it? Thanks.

**Miguel** · 12-29-2010, 12:04 AM

The shot seems more like a snapshot and less like a portrait to me. When the subject is shot at that angle and taking up only 65% of the frame, the remainder of the frame becomes more important. It looks like a bedroom door--and the connotations are simply informal.

I also don't like the black borders--it looks like either an affectation, or a perceptual trick to "fix" a problematic aspect ratio (and I know that's not the case here, but that's what it looks like).

The white balance is a little too florescent cast for my tastes. But I do like the subject's smile and overall look. I wish you didn't crop that 1% off the top the head.

Hope this helps.

M

wshi · 12-29-2010, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by Miguel

The shot seems more like a snapshot and less like a portrait to me. When the subject is shot at that angle and taking up only 65% of the frame, the remainder of the frame becomes more important. It looks like a bedroom door--and the connotations are simply informal.

I also don't like the black borders--it looks like either an affectation, or a perceptual trick to "fix" a problematic aspect ratio (and I know that's not the case here, but that's what it looks like).

The white balance is a little too florescent cast for my tastes. But I do like the subject's smile and overall look. I wish you didn't crop that 1% off the top the head.

Hope this helps.

M

Thanks a lot for your insight. Indeed, it's not a formal shot whatsoever. I'm a bit iffy on the black borders too, but for some reason I kinda like them. I guess time will tell how my own perceptions change.

You're very much correct on the white balance being skewed slightly towards the greens, and that was what I was kinda going for.

thoughton · 12-30-2010, 04:04 AM

I like it, nice natural expression of a real woman. Love her closest eye through the glasses frame. I suppose the DOF might be a little small, perhaps the other eye should also be in focus. It might be possibly a tad underexposed.

I don't think much of the 2nd version, the crop is accceptable (although I prefer the original), but the blown out forehead/nose/lips don't seem to serve any purpose.

liteboypt · 01-03-2011, 07:17 PM

I feel as if the borders are too much if you're gonna leave it as is. For me, without the tag (like on that guy's flickr) it takes too much attention away from the actual photo.

I cut the border down a bit and did a little editing here

But I'd still say that the tag + caption really made that style. It's not doing much for me as is. Nice shot nonetheless.

Tommot1965 · 01-03-2011, 08:17 PM

personally..I dont like the borders...but that me..another bloke my luv em.

as for the image....for a Portrait, i reckon you have gone for too small a DOF considering you friends pose , i would have liked to seen her left eye and cheek in focus

Fixcinater · 01-04-2011, 07:56 PM

Look for "catch lights" in your subject's eyes. It's really really hard to find a nice portrait without some kind of catchlight. Give more distance from subject to background, it will blur even more and you'll be able to stop down to f/2.8 to get more of her face in focus without having a distracting background. I'd work towards finding some more flattering (diffused/softer) light so you expose for skin properly without losing too much on highlights. Indoor light at night tends to look like...indoor light at night which looks worse in photos than when you are there in the scene. The green tint isn't flattering, nor are fairly high saturation levels on portraits (watch your reds, especially).

Not all of his work is with L glass (or even super-fast lenses), but it's good equipment nonetheless. Full frame definitely changes aspect towards shallow DOF, but a fairly fast prime on APS-C is a good substitute if you are careful about how you compose the scene. Look at the light on the faces, especially the lack of "hotspots" and you'll realize why shade is better than out in bright sunlight.

12-28-2010, 02:08 AM	#1
wshi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 455	A recent shot Lens: F 50 f/1.7 Camera: K20D ISO: 800 Shutter Speed: 1/125s Aperture: F1.7 Hey guys, here I have another portrait of a friend that I'm rather fond of, I'd like to know what you guys think of the post processing. Also, how do you feel about the borders? Thanks! And perhaps to spark some discussion, I'd been following a fellow's portrait 365, and I think his results are quite extraordinary. After I finished processing this shot, I realized that the look I achieved is somewhat similar (even the borders, I never really noticed that he simply makes it square, I was doing it for simplicity), although his work seems more refined. How do you guys think he gets that look? (full frame and L glass or equivalent probably helps ) 365 / 2010 - a set on Flickr

12-28-2010, 02:24 AM	#2
Sparkle Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,521	Originally posted by wshi Hey guys, here I have another portrait of a friend that I'm rather fond of, I'd like to know what you guys think of the post processing. Also, how do you feel about the borders? Thanks! And perhaps to spark some discussion, I'd been following a fellow's portrait 365, and I think his results are quite extraordinary. After I finished processing this shot, I realized that the look I achieved is somewhat similar (even the borders, I never really noticed that he simply makes it square, I was doing it for simplicity), although his work seems more refined. How do you guys think he gets that look? (full frame and L glass or equivalent probably helps ) 365 / 2010 - a set on Flickr Here is what I think: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/41-photo-critique/79146d1293528010-people-recent-shot-portrait-.jpg Attached Images

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12-28-2010, 02:25 AM	#3
Sparkle Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,521	The second is my quick PP image.

12-28-2010, 11:53 PM	#4
wshi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 455 Original Poster	Interesting interpretation... uh... any particular reasoning behind it? Thanks.

12-29-2010, 12:04 AM	#5
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	The shot seems more like a snapshot and less like a portrait to me. When the subject is shot at that angle and taking up only 65% of the frame, the remainder of the frame becomes more important. It looks like a bedroom door--and the connotations are simply informal. I also don't like the black borders--it looks like either an affectation, or a perceptual trick to "fix" a problematic aspect ratio (and I know that's not the case here, but that's what it looks like). The white balance is a little too florescent cast for my tastes. But I do like the subject's smile and overall look. I wish you didn't crop that 1% off the top the head. Hope this helps. M

12-29-2010, 02:52 PM	#6
wshi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 455 Original Poster	Originally posted by Miguel The shot seems more like a snapshot and less like a portrait to me. When the subject is shot at that angle and taking up only 65% of the frame, the remainder of the frame becomes more important. It looks like a bedroom door--and the connotations are simply informal. I also don't like the black borders--it looks like either an affectation, or a perceptual trick to "fix" a problematic aspect ratio (and I know that's not the case here, but that's what it looks like). The white balance is a little too florescent cast for my tastes. But I do like the subject's smile and overall look. I wish you didn't crop that 1% off the top the head. Hope this helps. M Thanks a lot for your insight. Indeed, it's not a formal shot whatsoever. I'm a bit iffy on the black borders too, but for some reason I kinda like them. I guess time will tell how my own perceptions change. You're very much correct on the white balance being skewed slightly towards the greens, and that was what I was kinda going for.

12-30-2010, 04:04 AM	#7
thoughton Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Saffron Walden, Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 362	I like it, nice natural expression of a real woman. Love her closest eye through the glasses frame. I suppose the DOF might be a little small, perhaps the other eye should also be in focus. It might be possibly a tad underexposed. I don't think much of the 2nd version, the crop is accceptable (although I prefer the original), but the blown out forehead/nose/lips don't seem to serve any purpose.

01-03-2011, 07:17 PM	#8
liteboypt New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 4	I feel as if the borders are too much if you're gonna leave it as is. For me, without the tag (like on that guy's flickr) it takes too much attention away from the actual photo. I cut the border down a bit and did a little editing here But I'd still say that the tag + caption really made that style. It's not doing much for me as is. Nice shot nonetheless.

01-03-2011, 08:17 PM	#9
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	personally..I dont like the borders...but that me..another bloke my luv em. as for the image....for a Portrait, i reckon you have gone for too small a DOF considering you friends pose , i would have liked to seen her left eye and cheek in focus

01-04-2011, 07:56 PM	#10
Fixcinater Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409	Look for "catch lights" in your subject's eyes. It's really really hard to find a nice portrait without some kind of catchlight. Give more distance from subject to background, it will blur even more and you'll be able to stop down to f/2.8 to get more of her face in focus without having a distracting background. I'd work towards finding some more flattering (diffused/softer) light so you expose for skin properly without losing too much on highlights. Indoor light at night tends to look like...indoor light at night which looks worse in photos than when you are there in the scene. The green tint isn't flattering, nor are fairly high saturation levels on portraits (watch your reds, especially). Not all of his work is with L glass (or even super-fast lenses), but it's good equipment nonetheless. Full frame definitely changes aspect towards shallow DOF, but a fairly fast prime on APS-C is a good substitute if you are careful about how you compose the scene. Look at the light on the faces, especially the lack of "hotspots" and you'll realize why shade is better than out in bright sunlight.