Portraiture

[Crovean]

Another opportunity to take portraits with these beautiful ladies.
(I am sure this time that my next investment is a nice back drop)
C&C are always welcome.

Cortney


Lyssa


Asteria


Setup: Reflector umbrella with a 580ex II, Gold round reflector, and a painted wall.

[Donald]

Chriss

I'll let the portraitists come in with informed comment and criticism. The first thing that struck me, however, is that in the first one there is a, what seems like, floor to wall transition line cutting into her cheek.

[Crovean]

Thanks for the comments Donald. Yes, it very obvious with the floor to wall transition but here's a photoshop`ed version. I kinda make the floor to wall transition to look like the subjects shadow. Hope this improve this image. Let me know what you think.

ps. note to self: buy a back drop lol

[Donald]

Let me know what you think.

Much better. Brings a lot more attention onto the subject. But as I said above, hopefully the experienced portraitists will come in with comments.

[FrankMi]

Hi Chriss, I know little to nothing about portraiture so this may be a dumb question. I have heard the narrow lighting was more feminine and broad lighting more masculine. If I understand the terms correctly, this would appear to be broad lighting. The result looks very nice to my untrained eye, but could you comment on your use of the lighting technique?

[stevewe88]

Hi Chriss

i am certainly no pro so please take my comments with a pinch of salt

The first shot looks better now you have softened the wall/floor transition but there is one thing that spoils the shot for me at the moment which is the fact that we appear to be looking right down the yound lady's cleavage. Maybe it's just me but I think the shot would be better with that part cropped out.

The second and third shots are nice, well lit and well exposed but the poses look a little too false to me. Again it might just be me but I feel that there is no personal connection between the model and the camera, but equally no reason why they should be looking elsewhere. Do you know what I mean??

Overall, I really like the detail that you have managed to retain in the hair and all three have great catchlights in their eyes.

[Crovean]

Hi Chriss, I know little to nothing about portraiture so this may be a dumb question. I have heard the narrow lighting was more feminine and broad lighting more masculine. If I understand the terms correctly, this would appear to be broad lighting. The result looks very nice to my untrained eye, but could you comment on your use of the lighting technique?

In comes to technique, i'm not really sure if I am using the right or correct technique, so I guess you can call it cowboy style . My photography skills are self-thought from Collin's portrait lessons to youtube videos.

When it comes to portrait lighting my main thing is if it looks good in the view finder and there's that wow factor from the subject then it's a go!

The setup
How I set up on this session was the main lighting was always on the broad side of the subject, hence this is what you consider broad lighting. Since I have only 1 flash, my other source was a reflector to the opposite side of the speedlite. Gold colored reflector was my choice since i like how it gives a warmer soft color to the narrow side of the face. I tried the white or silver but I just don't like the effect it gives me.

Another thing I practiced on this session was telling my subject on where to look. So I had them follow my fingers and did a trial and shoot and see how it looks. hehehe It was fun and over all a great experience.

[Crovean]

Hi Chriss

i am certainly no pro so please take my comments with a pinch of salt

The first shot looks better now you have softened the wall/floor transition but there is one thing that spoils the shot for me at the moment which is the fact that we appear to be looking right down the yound lady's cleavage. Maybe it's just me but I think the shot would be better with that part cropped out.

The second and third shots are nice, well lit and well exposed but the poses look a little too false to me. Again it might just be me but I feel that there is no personal connection between the model and the camera, but equally no reason why they should be looking elsewhere. Do you know what I mean??

Overall, I really like the detail that you have managed to retain in the hair and all three have great catchlights in their eyes.

Aha! I do notice that cleavage now hehehehe here's an cropped out cleavage below:


Shot #2 and #3 are more directive... was actually shooting this for a hair stylist so I was exploring all the angles I can get. hehehe
Thanks for the inputs Steve.