Karrie

These are my first attempts at portraits. I'd appreciate any feedback. I'm using a Nikon D3200, Lens was a 55-200mm. I have photoshop elements 11. We went early in the morning and many of my pictures have a green hue. It was in a botanical garden. I'm thinking I should have bought a reflector.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

A great beginning, remember Practice, Watch U-Tube videos on learning "Portrait Photography", learn " Off-Camera" Flash techniques. Never point your Flash "Directly" into the Face of your Portait subject. Also, remember K.I.S.S. (keep it simple silly.)

rcarol

I like #2. Use your post-processing skills to remove the pipe from her head.

Karrie

I specifically told her that we need to not have any pipes or trees growing out of her head. Ha ha. Thanks.

Karrie

Thank you for the encouragement. I had not checked out youtube yet.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

The top two need better light (that reflector), and to get rid of the green. To do that, in Photoshop, go to Image>Adjustment>Color Balance and add some Magenta and Yellow. That adds a much healthier look to the skin.

The light in the top two has no direction. It is dull and flat and gives the face no shadows and shadows in portraits are what gives the face/body dimension. A reflector held HIGH could direct some sunlight from off to the side to give you that shadow.

The lower image has several issues. One is she is facing square to the camera making her look as broad as possible--made even worse by having her arms merge with her waist. For most people and certainly with most females we want some angle to the shoulders/body. It makes them appear thinner. We also want some space between the waist and arms.

The light in that lower one DOES have direction since she is shielded by a roof and the building off to camera left. But the light appears to be bounce off the ground, so is too low. A reflector held by someone out in the sun might have been the solution. Her face is also the darkest part of the image and it should be much brighter. That light setup also robs her of any catchlight in her eyes and that gives the eyes a lifeless look.

Natural light portraiture is ALL about finding and using the light. Just being outside is not enough.

Karrie

Great insights. The top 2 were taken very early before the sun had gotten into the walled garden. There is about 1.5 hour difference. Would you recommend a specific reflector i.e..gold, silver or white? She is naturally a pale red head.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Well yeah...when planning outdoor portraits we need to plan for and pick the right time of day for the location. The gold reflector, IMO, is awful if directed at the skin. It can be great giving us a rim or backlight, but it kills the skin tones. So silver or white. White is a bit more forgiving, but sliver is more efficient. Get the 5-in-1 that has a silver, white, gold, and black cover and then the frame is a translucent fabric that can be used between the subject and the sun. Then play.

With skin that pale, the color balance technique of applying a bit of magenta and yellow can make her much healthier! How much? gotta eyeball it.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Saved me a whole lot of typing. Perfect answer!

Rick Loomis

It has been 20 years since I have done any portraits, Captain you are right on. The author should also study portraits artis such as Rembrandt Peter Rubins and Englands great artis Reynolds. There are many others, not counting the TV. Those lighting experts know how to bring out a person character.
Rick Loomis

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I agree with the captain.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I hope this image helps. It was one I could find without much looking. It does break the "angle" guideline, but with folks this thin we can get away with it a bit. This is an unusual image for me as it is 100% natural light - I shoot with off-camera flash 99.987497% of the time. The light has direction since it is blocked from the top by the ceiling. Blocked from the left by the wall. Blocked from the bottom by gray concrete with no light on it. So she is lit from our right by the outside light. Note the definite shadow from her nose--one side darker. Her face has one side darker, There is "almost" a Rembrandt light triangle under her camera-left eye. There is a small, but definite space between her arms and waist. The diffuse light from a LARGE area is soft (a wide highlight-to-shadow transition). The eyes have a catchlight.

So the lesson is that we have to USE natural light, not just be IN natural light.