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Well, geez- after seeing some of the recent portraits posted here I am hesitant to put this one up. There is some really nice work being done! BUT- I am really jazzed about this shot, and wanted to share it. I think my work is starting to improve... esp. in terms of understand light and how to use it. I still don't have any actual studio lights- this was made with window light, and one spotlight that I MADE (drilled hole in bottom of coffee can, inserted 300 watt bulb, and voila). I had the homemade spot aimed at my homemade tinfoil reflector, which was aimed at Leif. So to actually understand what I am doing now- somewhat.
Anyway, blah, blah, blah- what do you think of my picture?
hil26
A little while ago, I read something about portrait photography and the use of hands - one of the recommendations was a picture not unlike this one and believe it or not, they said this was wrong!!!!
I am now totally convinced that they were wrong as this is a very good portrait and would hope to get an image as good when I try soon with my grandson and some other "willing" family participants. The home made lighting for me has worked.
I also like your description of how to make your own spotlight - thanks
Venom
I like it, 2 things that would have made it better for me would have been a little more eye contact (but I'm not totally sure about this as I like how the hat helps with the look) and also have the picture in the Portrait mode (camera turned 90 degrees around) but these are small things.
It's a good shot and one to be proud of.
Mike
Evolution104
I love this shot!
I think the hands help make it a great shot. It's one thing if you're taking a mug shot, it's another if you want to capture the feeling and personality of your subject.
I also think his eyes are perfect - they are looking directly at the camera, and having his hat shielding his eyes is all part of what makes for his personality. I wouldn't change a thing.
The only suggestion I might have is that the skin tones look a little too warm (red) to me. It's probably because you're using an incandescent light (and there is so much red overall).
If you have Photo Shop, you can try adjusting the colour balance a little. But I think you might lose some of the rich red colour of his clothing. If that happens, you'd have to try adjustment layers and masking so your changes only affect the skin tones - a somewhat advanced subject I'm sure Keith could help with.
In any case, it's lovely the way it is. The colour absolutely pops, which I like, and he is so photogenic - his personality seems to come through clearly.
Great photo!!
Blue
Quote:
I read something about portrait photography and the use of hands - one of the recommendations was a picture not unlike this one and believe it or not, they said this was wrong!!!!
Yeah, I have read that, too- and I've also read the opposite. I tend to read those type of rules with a grain of salt, though. I read something else I liked to the effect that "a great photograph that is technically correct is a great photograph, and a great photograph that is technically incorrect is STILL a great photograph." LOL I think hands add a lot... maybe in a more formal type shot I wouldn't use them, though.
Quote:
2 things that would have made it better for me would have been a little more eye contact (but I'm not totally sure about this as I like how the hat helps with the look) and also have the picture in the Portrait mode
I agree about the hat- on the one hand it blocks part of his eye, on the other... it just seems to look good the way it is. I am unsure about it, too. He walked into the room with this hat on, pulled down like that, and I just took his picture as he was, LOL... so I think it is more true to his personality this way.
I also agree about portrait mode... I have a crappy tripod that doesn't let me shoot that way, but I re-cropped it (below), and maybe it's better now.
Quote:
that the skin tones look a little too warm (red) to me
agreed. don't have photoshop, though Someday I'll get it, but I feel like I want to become a great photographer "without" the aid of photoshop, rather than relying on it from the get-go. Or maybe I just can't afford it, and saying that makes me feel better, LOL.
Thank y'all so much for your critiques!
flyingkites
I think the crop really does make a difference seems to pull the shot together, very nice .
Brian
Venom
Think the crop really makes a difference, just done a quick conversion to B&W hope you don't mind.
I think it looks good as B&W.
Mike
creators
Fabulous shot Blue, and I personally prefer the landscape one as it's less constrained. Wonderful job on the lighting.
hil26
creators wrote:
Fabulous shot Blue, and I personally prefer the landscape one as it's less constrained. Wonderful job on the lighting.
to actually understand what I am doing now- somewhat.
I think hands add a lot... maybe in a more formal type shot I wouldn't use them, though.
Someday I'll get it, but I feel like I want to become a great photographer "without" the aid of photoshop, rather than relying on it from the get-go. Or maybe I just can't afford it, and saying that makes me feel better, LOL. 
