Composition: Composing Out Of The Box Portraits
Mar 12, 2018 08:02:51 #
This is my first post. Soon after my daughter was born, 18 months ago, I decided to take the leap and purchase a DSLR. I shoot mostly landscape, interiors, and aerials, but do enjoy the occasional candid shots of my family. I have a speedlight, but don't know how to use it (ha! it's amazing how reading a manual is just not a priority these days), so I rely on natural light. I try to capture the essence of my daughter's innocence in a natural state. By now she is used to having a camera in her face and often likes to "ham it up". Here are three of my favorites. Critiques/comments/technique advice always welcome.
#1 Snowglobe Magic
#2
#3 Strike a Pose
Mar 12, 2018 08:04:16 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Red, thanks and welcome to the Hog!!! br Hopefully... (show quote)
Yes, light will be the key disadvantage and the most important aspect. Fortunately they are years away from something as import as senior pictures and by then I will have been able to add equipment and experience so that I will be able to get some better shots by then. For now, hopefully I can capture some out of the box moments that will capture their personalities and get a few keepers to smile at years from now. Thank you for starting this topic.
Mar 12, 2018 08:08:49 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
Some thoughts, and this is from experience even th... (show quote)
Thank you for taking the time to offer these suggestions. Very helpful.
Mar 12, 2018 08:21:15 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
I have been reading about and watching YouTube videos on taking portraits/headshots and this weekend a friend of mine has volunteered to be a guinea pig for my first attempt. It's a two hour drive to his house and I will be bringing three light stands (one of them a C stand with boom), sandbags, 3 Nikon speedlights with a snoot and a grid for them, 3 Pocket Wizards, a HoneyBadger strobe with a remote controller, a StrobePro 36" deep parabolic softbox and grid, a Westcott 43" Apollo Orb, a Flashpoint 5 in One Reflector, a Westcott 5x6 collapsible background, and a Sekonic 478DR light meter. I'm jumping into the deep end of the pool. Swim or drown.
SharpShooter's first shot is slick and professional, but the bright white printing on the subject's shirt is distracting as is the spot of green on the index finger of her right hand, either an earring or an artificial nail. She is also rather expressionless so no particular personality is being captured.
SharpShooter's first shot is slick and professional, but the bright white printing on the subject's shirt is distracting as is the spot of green on the index finger of her right hand, either an earring or an artificial nail. She is also rather expressionless so no particular personality is being captured.
Mar 12, 2018 09:08:36 #
This is my take on an almost 'out of the box portrait' :+)
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
Mar 12, 2018 09:42:27 #
bengbeng wrote:
This is my take on an almost 'out of the box portrait' :+)
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
Interesting concept. A little vignetting might improve it.
Mar 12, 2018 10:03:26 #
In sharp shooter's top two portraits The top of the heads are cut off. I personally like them the way they are but I attended a discussion talk in Fl. some time back and they kept stressing that viewed photos missed the tip of a wing etc. So is this a point to address or not. As I am a stupid photographer is this a problem in photos in portraits ,or wildlife or even landscapes and is it acceptable in one type photo and not another.
Mar 12, 2018 10:05:51 #
davefales wrote:
Interesting concept. A little vignetting might improve it.
Thanks for the feedback
Mar 12, 2018 10:06:49 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
SpikeW wrote:
In sharp shooter's top two portraits The top of the heads are cut off. I personally like them the way they are but I attended a discussion talk in Fl. some time back and they kept stressing that viewed photos missed the tip of a wing etc. So is this a point to address or not. As I am a stupid photographer is this a problem in photos in portraits ,or wildlife or even landscapes and is it acceptable in one type photo and not another.
Cropping the tops of the heads directs the viewer's gaze to the face. It is definitely not a problem. Look at the portraits of one of NYC's top headshot photographers, Peter Hurley.
Mar 12, 2018 10:28:19 #
This is the only Out of the box composition for portraits that I see on this thread.
bengbeng wrote:
This is my take on an almost 'out of the box portrait' :+)
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
Mar 12, 2018 10:33:55 #
berchman wrote:
Cropping the tops of the heads directs the viewer's gaze to the face. It is definitely not a problem. Look at the portraits of one of NYC's top headshot photographers, Peter Hurley.
Agree. Cropping at the top of the head is fine. Never crop at joints or parts of hands.Mar 12, 2018 10:35:13 #
Cropping the tops of heads off has been ubiquitous in the culture since the TV news shows have been adapted to the modern TV screen format.
berchman wrote:
Cropping the tops of the heads directs the viewer's gaze to the face. It is definitely not a problem. Look at the portraits of one of NYC's top headshot photographers, Peter Hurley.
Mar 12, 2018 10:47:19 #
If you're doing a portrait I think it should show something about the personality of that person. If it's a wild pose and that person is not wild then it's not a portrait but simply art.
Mar 12, 2018 11:13:29 #
bengbeng wrote:
This is my take on an almost 'out of the box portrait' :+)
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
I tried a couple of ways to light this and eventually used a pop up macro light disc ( can't think of a better way to describe it )
Hope it fits the theme.
I have no idea what a "pop up macro light disc" is, and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to use it properly, but regardless, your portrait is fantastic! Love, love, love it!!
Mar 12, 2018 11:25:01 #
Rolk wrote:
I have no idea what a "pop up macro light disc" is, and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to use it properly, but regardless, your portrait is fantastic! Love, love, love it!!
Thank you so much , really !!
So this is the pop up thingy. Camera lens pokes through and shoe mount flash inside. About $20 or $30 I think. Bit of fun
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