manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Please critique. Looking for how to improve, not compliments. This is my second serious attempt at taking a portrait, first I've posted here.

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Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Eyes nose and tache are in focus and then it goes super soft. This is a bit technical for me but it looks too narrow a DOF to be a camera issue more like PP work carried out afterwards. There are signs in the background pointing to it being busy and it looks as if you darkened it to hide that. I rather like the super close crop but not keen on his expression. The only word that springs to mind is demonic lol which is not meant as an insult in any way. He does not look relaxed which has resulted in a wide eyed stare. The good thing is he is looking at you so obviously engaged with the photographer. He probably broke into a warm smile straight after this which was the shot you should have taken

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Actually, there is a slight smile, but it somewhat hidden by the beard. I shot this with an umbrella in front (top right) and a flash straight at him, but far behind to get the edge of his shoulder, left side and top of his head illuminated.

The background was pretty dark without PP, but knocked out what was left in PP.

The DOF was short to where the edges were slightly out of focus, but in PP, I did soften them more.

Thank you for your candid review, I really appreciate it. I'm not good with how to stage people for a portrait, but am learning. Also learning what is good/bad based on reviews such as yours.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I agree with Billy the front of face and eyes are in focus and then goes soft to quickly. I think the depth of field is to narrow. When I read the file it indicates f/7.1 Next time try f/8 - f/11, or stand back further and then crop in. Something needs to change to get more DOF. If this is a snap shot of a friend then fine it works but if it bothers you try cropping in even tighter, crop left side ear and side burn, then top just above his head, bottom just under chin with about 1/4" blue shit showing. I think it makes the picture interesting and almost all in focus. For me I like this new crop better, Just me saying. Take a look. Jim

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks for your input. I'll post a less processed view later, if my memory allows. The less processed has a bit more DOF. I'll look at cropping ideas too.

Nightski

The left eye is not in focus. Shadows under the eyes do not flatter the subject. The light on his right ear brings too much attention to that area. I am not a portrait person, so take my comments for what they are worth, but I do think working on your lighting technique would help.

One thing that seems to work well for males is lighting one side instead of both sides. It's slims their face .. looks a little harsher .. but that seems to bring out the masculine qualities.
www.pinterest.com%252Fdevianna%252Fportrait-male%252F%3B236%3B352" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.pinterest.com%25252Fdevianna%25252Fportrait-male%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=nzPF9GW4dNhKpM%253A%252C-c_V1IK2czLcnM%252C_&usg=__tLWo_urbjqNjfTttqKz9G_0Pzsk%3D&ved=0CDsQyjc&ei=8x-sVOnDEZKTyASxnICoAw#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=nzPF9GW4dNhKpM%253A%3B-c_V1IK2czLcnM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%252F236x%252F22%252Ff8%252F53%252F22f8531a8b2f8c6c93332a9c5fc86813.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.pinterest.com%252Fdevianna%252Fportrait-male%252F%3B236%3B352" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/search?q=lighting+for+male+portrait&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=896&tbm=isch&imgil=nzPF9GW4dNhKpM%253A%253B-c_V1IK2czLcnM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pinterest.com%252Fdevianna%252Fportrait-male%252F%3B236%3B352" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.pinterest.com%25252Fdevianna%25252Fportrait-male%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=nzPF9GW4dNhKpM%253A%252C-c_V1IK2czLcnM%252C_&usg=__tLWo_urbjqNjfTttqKz9G_0Pzsk%3D&ved=0CDsQyjc&ei=8x-sVOnDEZKTyASxnICoAw#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=nzPF9GW4dNhKpM%253A%3B-c_V1IK2czLcnM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%252F236x%252F22%252Ff8%252F53%252F22f8531a8b2f8c6c93332a9c5fc86813.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.pinterest.com%252Fdevianna%252Fportrait-male%252F%3B236%3B352

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks for looking and commenting. I know that before I started messing with the DOF via PP, I had all the face in sharp focus. I'll repost tonight with the less messed with version. Also, I appreciate your advice on lighting techniques. I'll try more things once I snag another victim.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

One of the training aids I got along with a photo course I took many years ago was a wig stand that was like a plastic human head with nose, ears etc. The purpose was to practice lighting the head with directional lights (floodlights and spotlights) and making images. By moving the lights around you could emphasize various features and conceal others. We started with just one light and graduated to using up to five lights to make minor adjustments in the shadows by adjusting the position of the lights and their distance from the subject. Using the wig stand allowed lots of experimentation without the stress and distraction of working with a live model. If you are serious about portrait photography a wig stand is a great training aid.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I find it a bit too shadowy and there's too much being reflected in the eyes.

However, if your intention was to do as Nightski suggested and have a light and a dark side to the face, I think you'd have to find some way to give more definition to the chin. The loss of definition is due to both the beard and the shadowing, and you may argue that both are essential to the shot, but you could try some selective lightening to bring out some detail in the beard to help define the shape of the chin. As it is all detail is lost in the shadows, and even on the lighter side of the face the chin's definition is minimal.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Strange highlight spots around the ear, which may be too noticeable if you do a larger print.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks for the comments/suggestions. I see I have a lot to try from behind the camera as well as PP with the current pic.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

First, what I like about the image. The eyes are sharp. The pose and expression are fine for a head shot. The main light position is nice, and the resulting shadows are soft. The rim lighting provides good background separation. I'm not bothered by the PP blurring, but I might have increased the feathering if I was going to add it.

The image could use just a bit more general exposure for my taste. And, the shadows are clipped in the beard and right eye. I would have cropped a little bit wider, giving more area at the shoulders, especially to camera right. And I would probably like the rim light about a half stop lower (or burned down in post). Of these items, I believe the shadow clipping hurts this image most. Overall, a good effort.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I'll repost another effort tonight.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

I don't see the highlight spots. Are they on the ear or in the dark area (background)?

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The sparkly highlights in what should be an out-of-focus area. For wallet sized prints it won't matter, but for larger prints, it could be distracting.

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