Recent Attempts at Portrait Photography.
Jan 19, 2024 19:25:51 #
SHWeiss wrote:
Black on black makes cool creepy floating heads
Very true. I learned that people don't always read and follow instructions about what to wear.
Jan 19, 2024 19:30:14 #
tshift wrote:
These are awesome photos Vicki! Love the black background centers the attention on the people and nothing else. I am sure they all well really happy with the photos. Thanks BE SAFE!!
Tom
Tom
Thanks, Tom. This group was a hard read. Some commented that they liked their photos. The older subjects wanted to know how to get prints (which we didn't offer with this online effort). I didn't charge my effort figuring it was a learning experience, so I didn't feel obligated to provide prints.
Jan 19, 2024 19:30:53 #
Jan 19, 2024 19:32:24 #
Jimmy T wrote:
Great job, and delightful subjects.
They all make me . . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu
They all make me . . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu
Many thanks, JimmyT. The lady in the pink hat made me smile.
Jan 19, 2024 19:32:58 #
raymondh wrote:
Most impressive!
Thanks for taking time to look and comment, raymondh.
Jan 19, 2024 19:33:33 #
jaymatt wrote:
These look really nice to me, Vicki--congratulations.
I appreciate your thoughtful reply, John. Thanks so much.
Jan 19, 2024 19:39:28 #
Rich2236 wrote:
to begin with, your portraits are really good. There is nothing wrong with them, period! But, I would try to not have subjects wear black with a black background. Maybe use a very soft halo light on the black background to accentuate the subjects head and shoulders. With formal portraits, try using a gray background and vignette the corners for a more dramatic effect. Other than those suggestions, your work is EXCELLENT Vick!!!
I was thinking if I could do it all over again, I would go with gray and the halo light. I did a mini tutorial with Joel Grimes and learned quite a bit, certainly enough that I want to experiment more with lighting and backgrounds. Thanks for the suggestions, Rich. Everything I can learn is appreciated.
Jan 19, 2024 19:44:39 #
charlienow wrote:
These are excellent portraits. Love the black background. Makes it easier to light the people and not worry about shadows on the background. Looking forward to seeing more of your work
Chuck
Chuck
Many thanks, Chuck. There were some challenges with the black background which I resolved (a little) as I went through this process over the 2 1/2 months of shooting. Black garments with the black background was one, but dark hair was a major issue. My next purchase, should I tackle this again, will be more lights.
Jan 19, 2024 19:46:04 #
StanMac wrote:
Nice set of portraits! Wish I had Greg’s hair!
Stan
Stan
Thank you, Stan. I'll tell him. For a price, he might be willing to sell.
Jan 19, 2024 19:46:35 #
flyboy61 wrote:
You did Good!
Thanks for looking and commenting, flyboy. I appreciate it.
Jan 19, 2024 19:47:29 #
LeRoy V. wrote:
Great photos
Your kind comment is greatly appreciated, LeRoy. Thanks for looking.
Jan 19, 2024 19:48:33 #
huntmj wrote:
These are really good, well done
Thank you, huntmj. It was a great learning experience, and we met some really nice people.
Jan 21, 2024 03:11:37 #
Vicki such a stellar collection of enchanting portraiture!
Your skillful rendering of skin tones certainly meet commercial levels here.
To this end please considered bringing other team members into the mix, you are really that good.
Look to local cosmetologist in your market (Beauty Salons, etc.) for Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist willing to collaborate for trade on your beauty genre & portrait renderings. Professional licensed cosmetologist need marketing images and will often trade their expertise for the aforementioned.
btw, standard portfolio format sizing is usually 9x12 with 11x14 being maximum for a larger physical "book".
As for Wardrobe challenges? Well that's why I typical work with Agency Talent.
OK for the issue with Dark Hair my go to is a silver 32" parabolic directly above (and slightly behind) the talent suspended on a Boom Arm high above the talent's head, I simply dial in whatever it takes to achieve appropriate subject separation and adjust my Key accordingly. Yes I occasionally use Strip Softboxes with grids at 45 degrees behind on either side... However they are a real bear to tame the "Flare" that accompanies same. The overhead 32" silver parabolic is far easier however you'll need 12 foot ceiling at a minimum... I have 13.5' ceilings which work well in this scenario...
See the two images below of my favorite Ethiopian fashion model Sara... Hair as beautiful as polished Black Arabic Onyx a.k.a chalcedony with gorgeous parallel bands of Silver and Black. btw, Sara is 6' 1" Has chiseled facial features... And walks the runways/catwalks of NYC I am so lucky that she lives within walking distances to our Studio.
Your skillful rendering of skin tones certainly meet commercial levels here.
To this end please considered bringing other team members into the mix, you are really that good.
Look to local cosmetologist in your market (Beauty Salons, etc.) for Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist willing to collaborate for trade on your beauty genre & portrait renderings. Professional licensed cosmetologist need marketing images and will often trade their expertise for the aforementioned.
btw, standard portfolio format sizing is usually 9x12 with 11x14 being maximum for a larger physical "book".
As for Wardrobe challenges? Well that's why I typical work with Agency Talent.
OK for the issue with Dark Hair my go to is a silver 32" parabolic directly above (and slightly behind) the talent suspended on a Boom Arm high above the talent's head, I simply dial in whatever it takes to achieve appropriate subject separation and adjust my Key accordingly. Yes I occasionally use Strip Softboxes with grids at 45 degrees behind on either side... However they are a real bear to tame the "Flare" that accompanies same. The overhead 32" silver parabolic is far easier however you'll need 12 foot ceiling at a minimum... I have 13.5' ceilings which work well in this scenario...
See the two images below of my favorite Ethiopian fashion model Sara... Hair as beautiful as polished Black Arabic Onyx a.k.a chalcedony with gorgeous parallel bands of Silver and Black. btw, Sara is 6' 1" Has chiseled facial features... And walks the runways/catwalks of NYC I am so lucky that she lives within walking distances to our Studio.
D3x with an AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF ED VR Nikkor
(Download)
D3x with an AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF ED VR Nikkor
(Download)
Jan 25, 2024 11:21:52 #
Jan 25, 2024 16:22:05 #
Your constructive feedback is always appreciated and helpful, Thomas. You could travel and conduct seminars (if you don’t already). I’d be first in line of grateful attendees.
Once again, thanks so much for the detailed suggestions. Your support is greatly valued and confidence building. I want to learn more.
Once again, thanks so much for the detailed suggestions. Your support is greatly valued and confidence building. I want to learn more.
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