Looking for feedback: This is my first attempt at "people photography". I would like some honest feedback with suggestions on how to improve this phase of my light capturing journey.

Frank S Loc: Nampa, Idaho

This is my first attempt at "people photography". I would like some honest feedback with suggestions on how to improve this phase of my light capturing journey. Thanks.

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R.G. Loc: Scotland

The only thing that jumps out at me is the messy catchlights. And the irises look a bit over-sharpened. Other than that, a good capture.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Well done...can't say what to change about it but the back ground lower left I find distracting....

Edit: after reflecting a bit more, and some experimentation I found reducing the red in the area closest to her face to a more neutral tone helped a great deal....it appears for a first attempt you are well on your way....

Frank S Loc: Nampa, Idaho

Thanks, R.G.
I see and totally agree with your observations, which brings me to a question.
The photo was captured outside in the shade.
The catchlights are the reflection of sunlit sky through the leaves, as it was captured.
Would you recommend trying to remove that in post and go for maybe a single catchlight?

R.G. wrote:

The only thing that jumps out at me is the messy catchlights. And the irises look a bit over-sharpened. Other than that, a good capture.

Frank S Loc: Nampa, Idaho

Thanks, Frank.
I will try experimenting with your suggestions.
I appreciate your help.

Frank2013 wrote:

Well done...can't say what to change about it but the back ground lower left I find distracting....

Edit: after reflecting a bit more, and some experimentation I found reducing the red in the area closest to her face to a more neutral tone helped a great deal....it appears for a first attempt you are well on your way....

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Frank S wrote:

This is my first attempt at "people photography". I would like some honest feedback with suggestions on how to improve this phase of my light capturing journey. Thanks.

Glamour photography is not really my forte at all. R.G. mentioned the catch lights. They seem to be reflections of some sort. In this case, I don't know how you would go about "cleaning them up" and still make it look good. I also think that the hair is a bit of a distraction. I think I would try to have the hair combed and looking perfect if possible rather than the slight fly away look of her hair. I do think you got the exposure right; and the color seems ok to me as well. I think it is a good photograph and you will just get better with more experience. Well done.
Erich

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Frank S wrote:

Thanks, R.G.
I see and totally agree with your observations, which brings me to a question.
The photo was captured outside in the shade.
The catchlights are the reflection of sunlit sky through the leaves, as it was captured.
Would you recommend trying to remove that in post and go for maybe a single catchlight?

Improving the pupils shouldn't be too hard (you may want to stop just short of making them pure black). The irises look trickier and it would be difficult to get them perfect, but if you can settle for mitigating the problem rather than getting rid of it completely, that should be a distinct possibility.

Frank S Loc: Nampa, Idaho

Thanks again for your help.

R.G. wrote:

Improving the pupils shouldn't be too hard (you may want to stop just short of making them pure black). The irises look trickier and it would be difficult to get them perfect, but if you can settle for mitigating the problem rather than getting rid of it completely, that should be a distinct possibility.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Frank S wrote:

Thanks again for your help.

You're welcome.

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Crop is a little tight for me- but that’s just me. Skin looks good- close to the “over-done” mark but believable. I agree with the messy catchlights, too. What grabbed my attention was the hair strand along her collar bone- between it and the shadow behind her chin, draws alot of attention. Perhaps removing that hair strand and/or lessening the tonal differences shaping the clavicle. In fact, tidying up the hair- those patches of skin showing through might be helpful… something to consider… Overall, it’s a very nice image- exposure is perfect- and so’s the model!

ediesaul

Frank S wrote:

This is my first attempt at "people photography". I would like some honest feedback with suggestions on how to improve this phase of my light capturing journey. Thanks.

I don't know anything about portrait photography.
-I like the angle.
-I like the windy hair, except for one strand near her right eye lash.
-A beautiful face.
-Lovely eyes which are the focal point.

From my point of view, here are some nit-picky critiques:

-No bottom lashes?
-Under her eyes, slight mascara smudges.
-Eye shadow extends way too far onto inner corners of her eyes.
-Black shadows under her nostrils.
-Lipstick beyond her lips.
-Right earring a distraction.
-The whole right side seems abnormal. What was she wearing? Something green would parallel her beautiful eyes. Was she nude? If so, why smudge it out?
-I'd delete the necklace. Doesn't add anything to photo.
-Seems like she's wearing too much make-up tho' going for a natural look. I'd love to see her without make-up at all. A gorgeous face, in my opinion, doesn't need enhancement.

I hope you have opportunity to work with her again. She's a real beauty.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Love it! Kudos to the makeup artist on this shoot :)
It certainly appears you bonded well with this talent...

"...I would like some honest feedback with suggestions on how to improve this..." If you wish to shoot glamour genre then bring a hair stylist onto your team... Also consider enlisting the talent of a wardrobe stylist even for accessorizing with jewelry...
Bottom line? For commercial glamour the photographer is merely one member of an entire team no less or more important than all other team members... a.k.a. Makeup, Hair, Wardrobe and yes the Model... Casting is a critical component and sadly oft left to chance... The sooner you get your head around this brutal reality the more rapid your climb within the commercial side of the industry...

My question to you... Did you exceed your client's expectations? In the end absolutely nothing else matters... Seriously!

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Wonderful Portrait, as nice as your wildlife captures. Off to a Great start.......

Frank S Loc: Nampa, Idaho

Thank you for the feedback. I never even noticed what you mentioned about the hair strand and the shadow ... I will learn to recognize those distractions more quickly in the future. Thanks again for your help.

fuminous wrote:

Crop is a little tight for me- but that’s just me.... (show quote)

Frank S Loc: Nampa, Idaho

All makeup was applied by the subject. (By the way this photo is one taken during my first senior shoot, so all this feedback is being absorbed as quickly as I can). I so appreciate the help everyone is offering.
I'm learning to look for things ahead of time that I would never even thought of up to this moment.

She was actually wearing a green dress during this section of the shoot ... maybe I should have not cropped so tight.
I think the "smudge" is the beginning of the shadow from the dress neckline. I'll go back and check. That should be an easy fix.
Appreciate you eye for detail.

You're correct ... she has that natural beauty that is not dependent on makeup.

ediesaul wrote:

I don't know anything about portrait photography. ... (show quote)