Working on Portriat Photography: I feel that portrait photography is one area where I am weakest. We spent the day in the park today and I persuaded my husband to pose for some shots...

Bizzy Loc: North Carolina

I feel that portrait photography is one area where I am weakest. We spent the day in the park today and I persuaded my husband to pose for some shots so that I could practice. The thing that bothers me the most about this picture is the wrinkled shirt on the one shoulder, Made a note to be more observant of such things in the future.
used the 70-300 canon lens. I am not sure about the composition.

(Download)

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

From a NON portrait shooter. You're correct about the wrinkle on the shoulder. Your subject should be looking at the camera or (in this case) to the right. He should never be looking out the short side of the frame.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

Bizzy wrote:

I feel that portrait photography is one area where I am weakest. We spent the day in the park today and I persuaded my husband to pose for some shots so that I could practice. The thing that bothers me the most about this picture is the wrinkled shirt on the one shoulder, Made a note to be more observant of such things in the future.
used the 70-300 canon lens. I am not sure about the composition.

not to be mean, thats not a portrait, its a snapshot

abbey4049 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

Joe west. It's very much a portrait.

Definition of a portrait

(Download)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

abbey4049 wrote:

Joe west. It's very much a portrait.

Abbey, from your very post, the subject is not predominant. The subject shares, almost equally, the background. Thus, removing the predominance of the person in the picture. I'd agree more with the snapshot, but a planned snapshot.
--Bob

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Bizzy wrote:

I feel that portrait photography is one area where I am weakest. We spent the day in the park today and I persuaded my husband to pose for some shots so that I could practice. The thing that bothers me the most about this picture is the wrinkled shirt on the one shoulder, Made a note to be more observant of such things in the future.
used the 70-300 canon lens. I am not sure about the composition.

Maybe it's just me but I would have preferred a vertical aspect. The tree is a distraction also. Keep at it.

abbey4049 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

A portrait is a representation of someone, no matter what the framing or location is. Environmental portraiture. It's all semantics. You can say whatever you want, but in the end it's still a portrait!!!

Bizzy Loc: North Carolina

I think you're correct about the tree being a distraction. Thanks so much for giving constructive criticism.

boberic wrote:

Maybe it's just me but I would have preferred a vertical aspect. The tree is a distraction also. Keep at it.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Bizzy wrote:

I feel that portrait photography is one area where I am weakest. We spent the day in the park today and I persuaded my husband to pose for some shots so that I could practice. The thing that bothers me the most about this picture is the wrinkled shirt on the one shoulder, Made a note to be more observant of such things in the future.
used the 70-300 canon lens. I am not sure about the composition.

I'm a retired professional videographer for television news and sports. Composition there carries the same rules as still photography.

I have the same problem about observing the small things so when I'm shooting such photos I normally have my wife with me because she has an excellent eye for the small stuff.

Ok... serious now. Yes your composition is a little off in my opinion. His nose should be dead center, or at least more towards the center. Another point, have him turn his shoulders more to his left (in this shot) which will give the photo more dimension. I'd also have him looking at the camera with his eyes but a 3/4 on his face - again more dimension.

Things like that will help you a lot.

Here's a shot of my daughter I took not long ago. No this isn't portrait quality but you'll notice her physical position.
I spent years teaching this girl how to pose so now when I get a chance she just falls into certain poses.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your opinion. I've done no PP to his shot except add a little contrast. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Canon t3i / Canon 28-200 Lens

(Download)

abbey4049 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

Hi Jimmya, well if you put it up for discussion, I would say her pose is ok, but! I think her near shoulder is a little overpowering being so close to the camera. I would also lose the geese. A little distracting, my eye keeps going to them. Could have used a little fill light on the face. Pretty girl!!

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

abbey4049 wrote:

Hi Jimmya, well if you put it up for discussion, I would say her pose is ok, but! I think her near shoulder is a little overpowering being so close to the camera. I would also lose the geese. A little distracting, my eye keeps going to them. Could have used a little fill light on the face. Pretty girl!!

Thanks. The geese were on purpose, as you might have expected. I did use fill light - bright sun with flash.

Thanks for the input

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

rmalarz wrote:

Abbey, from your very post, the subject is not predominant. The subject shares, almost equally, the background. Thus, removing the predominance of the person in the picture. I'd agree more with the snapshot, but a planned snapshot.
--Bob

:thumbdown: :thumbdown:

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

joe west wrote:

not to be mean, thats not a portrait, its a snapshot

:thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

abbey4049 wrote:

Joe west. It's very much a portrait.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

jimmya wrote:

Here's a shot of my daughter I took not long ago. No this isn't portrait quality but you'll notice her physical position.
I spent years teaching this girl how to pose so now when I get a chance she just falls into certain poses.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your opinion. I've done no PP to his shot except add a little contrast. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Beautiful "environmental" portrait, in the same 'style' at the OP's photo above. Maybe not a "formal" portrait, but portraits in the truest sense of the word.