rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

Hi Everyone! I am finally trying to get a handle on portraits. I need to develop my eye. I set up a couple of lights and took a couple of shots of my daughter. Let me know what I'm doing wrong.
Thanks!

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

To keep this simple...

1) Improve your background improve your light...This will improve your shot.

The light is pretty flat in 1 and 3. You need shadows for interest.
The backdrop is not a quality backdrop. I would recommend some seamless paper rather than a rinkly tidied sheet.

Pretty model. Keep at it.
and finally work on you post processing and color.

Get a color wheel and look at what colors are complimentary.

Russ

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

Like # 2 best. Next time move her out away from the background so it goes OOF. Good looking girl, keep up the good work, and show us more.

rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

Thanks for the input. I understand about the back drop but that's a given. It's all I had available but that will change later. I believe I understand what you meant by needs shadow for interest. At this point however, I am only trying to get the mechanics of a well lit image. I will try what you suggest on my next attempt. As far as post processing, I didn't want to work on post processing yet as I want find out what I am doing wrong with the camera.
Finally, you comment about the color wheel......were you referring to the color of the background verses the color of my daughter's blouse? If so, I will keep that in mind when getting new back drops. If not, what are you referring to?
Thanks again for your response.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Yes certain color go together better than other colors. If your going to show color on the background, it helps if it is complimentary to the color the model is wearing. Actually these colors are pretty close to complimentary.

Here's a link to a color wheel:
http://colorschemedesigner.com

rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

Thanks for your comments. I wanted to mover her out but the room is too small. It would help if I had faster glass but the lowest F-stop on the lens is F/5.6 at 48 mm focal length. Next time I'll try leaving the lens at 18 mm which will open the lens to 3.5. See if that helps. Then I'll just crop and enlarge. Thanks.

rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

Thanks Again!

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Too close to the background my a mile, focus is on that not you

Loooooooove the fan shot move further forward

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

Portrait photos are better if NOT taken with a wide lens. Try to use one in the 75mm to 125mm range if you can find a place large enough to use the short tele lens. Keep shooting and ask questions on the UHH. You will find the answer here. Good Luck.

flashgordonbrown Loc: Silverdale, WA

'Wrinkly tie-dyed sheets' are commonly used(successfully, I might add) for portraiture. They are commonly known as 'muslins'. It is all in how you compose and expose the image-move the subject further away from the background, and use a fairly wide aperture-the background will not show the wrinkles, just the color pattern.

flashgordonbrown
www.froghollowphotography.com

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

It depends on what you consider "successfully". Cheap backdrops look like cheap backdrops(unless you're really good)
Studio portraiture is typically shot at F8-F14 for sharpness. Wide open apertures are better suited for outdoor natural light photography. If you move the person away from a background or shoot at a wide aperture it may matter very little what your background is. To tell a person to move away from a background like the one used is basically negating the background.
If your post processing is up to speed it also doesn't matter what your background is.

I did not make these suggestions without some thought. Trust me. I have the pictures to back up my opinion. I also have a closet full of crappy backdrops that are for sale. I too made those same decisions before I started producing what I consider quality studio images.

I would really like to see some of your shots on these backgrounds. I'm sure you can prove me wrong. I just couldn't find them on your website.

Quality studio photographers typically use Canvas not muslin.
If you do a search you can probably find an old thread with this very discussion. A quality backdrop may cost you $400 or more. It also looks(photographs) like it cost that much.

It all comes down to what each individual thinks quality is and what price your willing to pay to get there.(and I don't mean money)

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

DP

flashgordonbrown Loc: Silverdale, WA

Sorry-again you're all wet. Muslin backdrops(used extensively in portraiture) are by nature wrinkled. I stand by my original comment-it's how you shoot it that makes the difference. I don't have to spend $400 to get a backdrop that looks great in a portrait. Spending money on 'stuff' to make you a better photographer doesn't always work-especially if you don't know how to use that expensive 'stuff'.

flashgordonbrown
www.froghollowphotography.com

jaddottart Loc: Florida

Great Model,before you take the shot have her close her eyes for a few seconds,open them then shoot.Her eyes will glisten...

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Show me your example. All I saw was barns on your website.
Not someone else's photo. Your photo.

I was never able to crack the code. Guess I'm not good enough.
I want to learn teach me.

To find out what quality backdrops are go to

http://www.silverlakephoto.com/carbonite-inspired-by-joe-farace-abstract-muslin-background/

These backdrops are expensive but they're quality.

And yes they are "Muslin" they also don't look like Tie dyed Sheets.