SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Took this on Sunday.
I love taking portraits/headshots. I'm not very fond of what I would call a straight portrait, or maybe I should say I try not to shoot them. I do a fair amount of them for local real estate companies. But they feel like snapshots or high school pics.
I try to add a twist or a little drama to my shots, to give them an unconventional feel and view!
What I really want to develop are my environmental portraits.
Anyway, I just finished this one so I thought I would post it for all of you to check out!!!
I'm posting two versions, one is a tighter crop, otherwise it's the same shot!
Any and all Critique is welcome! What do folks think?
SS

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rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

I find the facial shadows a little to harsh, they make the rest of the models face look too pale. Maybe the addition of a second light source and possibly a rim light to accent her curly hair, it's getting lost in the background.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

I like the tighter crop here best. Her elbow in the first shot pulls attention away from her face. Also like the complementary color tones of the background, clothing, hair and skin. A different pose, has lots of appeal.

Nice shot!

NJLen Loc: Freehold, NJ, USA

In the uncropped, the eye is drawn to the arm/elbow. In the cropped, the eye is drawn to the face.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I agree. I like the tighter crop; aside from the elbow that Tree pusher mentioned, she has that random finger tip and her arm pit--neither contribute to the portrait. While the shadows are hard, I think the model carries them well, and I think it's an effective, and dramatic portrait, depending on the initial question: "What are you using the photo for?"

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

And her upper hand is in an awkward position. But I really like her face, hair, and dynamic body position.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Hi, Sharpshootrer!

I did not forget to comment on you image- just had to go back to work.

I certainly agree that a more unique approach to each portrait session is the way to go. I don't believe that all the "rules" are carved in stone and that many aspects of photography are debatable.

The particular principles that I make reference to and base critiques on are very rudimentary aesthetics and techniques that will produce a good likeness, oftentimes flattering and I emphasize certain techniques that are reliable and repeatable once you grasp theses basics. Sometimes it's a good method to start with some basic poses and lightnings and then elaborate on them and add those "special twists" that makes your work more individualized and truly your own. It's like a classically trained musician becoming a jazz icon- if you get my analogy! It is easier to start with simplicity and improvise you way toward you goal in the image rather than starting with something that is very complex and then going back, during the session, to correct unwanted issues. I call that "flowing posing". Equipment wise, an adjustable posing table is a very handy accessory- I'll write more about that in the tutorials.

I really like the theatrical/fashion flavor of of you portrait and the way you captured a kinda sensual expression in your subject. There my be a few lighting placement and ratio issues but the mood and feelings are great. When you include the arms and hands in a portrait you may want to use a longer lens or zoom setting in order to preclude distortion- the hands and arms can appear larger that the face. I sometimes prefer long sleeves so the skin tonnes of the hands and arms don't tend to compete for attention with the face. If you want to show bare arms and include the hands, you can barn-door or flag off some of the main light (with a gobo) that falls on the arms or feather the main light slightly upward so that the skin tones are about a 1/2 stop less than the face. You can also burn in those areas, slightly, in processing. i use the word "slightly" frequently because theses adjustments are very delicate- you don't want to create an obviously darkened area.

The basics include many time-honored techniques like posing and the best camera angles for hands, unity of lighting and attention to certain details.

Thanks for posting- please keep up the creativity.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ed, thanks so much for the expertise and thorough explanations. I have seen the excellent work you have posted, and the bar is indeed high!
So looking forward to helping get this section of the ground and learning from those that know more than myself and the different opinions that can help one see something different and better.
Again, THANKS!
SS

blackest Loc: Ireland

I'm not sure what to make of her expression. Did you tell her a 'dad' joke ? Pretty lass but she looks irritated about something.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

This is her "model" face!!! LoL
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

RD, thanks!
On the lighting:
I was using 4 lights.
She was wearing a black dress and I was more worried about losing the dress. So I use 2 kickers, one from each side. I knew if I brought out one side, I would probably lose the other side, hence the two lights. I should probably use a seperate snoot on the hair itself to really back light it!
I had a key light and a second light in front. The key on camera left with the second light only maybe 4 feet off the ground.
What I probably need are bigger soft boxes. I had them set up for standing shots to light her top to bottom. She's almost 6 feet tall!
RD, thanks!!!
SS