My First Studio Portrait Ever: I had the opportunity to shoot in a pro studio last week. I took over 75 images of my friend and am just beginning to process them. The first is a formal...

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

I had the opportunity to shoot in a pro studio last week. I took over 75 images of my friend and am just beginning to process them. The first is a formal view which I should probably crop a little tighter. The second is another shot with the actual background. The others I made in Photoshop just for fun to change up the background. CC please.

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rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Very nice work. No. 2 is my personal preference.
--Bob

rdrechsler wrote:

I had the opportunity to shoot in a pro studio last week. I took over 75 images of my friend and am just beginning to process them. The first is a formal view which I should probably crop a little tighter. The second is another shot with the actual background. The others I made in Photoshop just for fun to change up the background. CC please.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I am not a pro- a pro might correct me.
But, her face is shiny, and her hands are not flattering.
Otherwise, the capture looks good.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Attractive lady! Nice images, but the shadows seem a bit deep. Were you looking for that type of lighting? A more diffuse lighting arrangement would also help soften her look.

Stan

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

StanMac wrote:

Attractive lady! Nice images, but the shadows seem a bit deep. Were you looking for that type of lighting? A more diffuse lighting arrangement would also help soften her look.

Stan

Thanks Stan, I tried 3 different lighting schemes throughout the shoot. These are just the first few I’ve processed.

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

Kmgw9v wrote:

I am not a pro- a pro might correct me.
But, her face is shiny, and her hands are not flattering.
Otherwise, the capture looks good.

Good point about her shiny face. I agree. I’ll burn a little before I publish. Thanks...and happy holidays.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

rdrechsler wrote:

I had the opportunity to shoot in a pro studio last week. I took over 75 images of my friend and am just beginning to process them. The first is a formal view which I should probably crop a little tighter. The second is another shot with the actual background. The others I made in Photoshop just for fun to change up the background. CC please.

My humble opinion: The first two are great--good poses and well captured; the third and fourth shots are fun, but not so good as 1 & 2. The last one is okay, but the lady looks awkward in her position--not totally natural.

All the photos are well exposed and well taken.

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

rmm0605 wrote:

My humble opinion: The first two are great--good poses and well captured; the third and fourth shots are fun, but not so good as 1 & 2. The last one is okay, but the lady looks awkward in her position--not totally natural.

All the photos are well exposed and well taken.

Thanks for your honest opinion. Critiques are always welcomed and educational.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Very nice. Keep having fun with it.

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

One small suggestion: in poses 1, 2 & 3; aim hair lights to catch the hair on top of her head too. The rim of light on the hair should somewhat resemble a thin horseshoe.

When I was working at Expressly Portraits we offered a make-up service to treat the ladies to the help of a professional beautician especially trained for photographic cosmetics. You would be surprised at what a half hour of professional make up can do. (A real pro beautician will be sure to cover the ears, neck and hands too.)

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

delkeener wrote:

One small suggestion: in poses 1, 2 & 3; aim h... (show quote)

Interesting you mention make-up. We were talking about that. I guess it's a huge part of professional portrait photography. I'm afraid I'll be lost on that front, but if someone ever offers me big bucks for a portrait, I'll hire someone. I won't hold my breath cuz I don't look very good in purple...LOL.

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

I guarantee you that half and hour with a paid beautician who understands photographic rendering of her cosmetics will pay off big time when doing your post processing. Our beauty gals at Expressly Portraits were also wonderful at quick and easy hairdressing too. We asked out subjects to prepare for the sitting by washing their hair and skin and go no further than drying off. Clothing selection was also an important matter we discussed in advance.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Beautiful series!

gregoryd45 Loc: Fakahatchee Strand

rdrechsler wrote:

I had the opportunity to shoot in a pro studio last week. I took over 75 images of my friend and am just beginning to process them. The first is a formal view which I should probably crop a little tighter. The second is another shot with the actual background. The others I made in Photoshop just for fun to change up the background. CC please.

Very nice, rdrechsler

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Nice photos! The lighting seems a bit harsh. Were you using umbrellas? Professional make up would reduce the shiny face, some women know how to do it themselves.