Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Professional and Advanced Portraiture
Civil war Captain
Feb 15, 2019 20:28:26   #
patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio
 
Shot at flea market, this genteman came walking in and I was able to grab quick shot at doorway. What do you gentlemen think, was told you are the Portrait Pros!



Reply
Feb 16, 2019 10:20:02   #
BrentHarder Loc: Southern California
 
patman1 wrote:
Shot at flea market, this genteman came walking in and I was able to grab quick shot at doorway. What do you gentlemen think, was told you are the Portrait Pros!


I personally like it a lot and was immediately attracted to it. I'm wondering what it might be like with a little bit of reflected light on the subject's right side?!

Reply
Feb 16, 2019 10:42:25   #
patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio
 
BrentHarder wrote:
I personally like it a lot and was immediately attracted to it. I'm wondering what it might be like with a little bit of reflected light on the subject's right side?!


It was a planned shot just caught him walking in a door. I would love to take a formal portrait of him.
Thank you, glad you liked it

Reply
 
 
Feb 16, 2019 16:16:59   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
All-right! Great subject. So...I can't critique this as if it were a studio shot or a controlled natural light scenario.

The lighting is "interesting" and mysterious. I kinda like the effect. So...here's what happened: You created a perfect "kicker" lighting, that is the light is striking the subject at about 135 degrees from the camera/subject axis. If you had more time a some additional gear, a reflector coud have added a "main light" to illuminate more of the mask of the face and create a Rembrandt or modified butterfly lighting. Another reflector or a very weak flash could have added some shadow detail to the camera right side of his face.

As it is, the"kicker did not get any light into either eye and acuentated a dark texture in the area under his right eye.

If you get a chance to shoot him again and control, you will have a fine shot.

At theses reenactment things, the actors are usually willing to pose for some interesting costume shots. If you have no time or enough gear to control the lighting, in a case like this, all you need to do is have the subject turn his head toward the direction of the light and create more of a Rembrandt or modified butterfly lighting. Oftentimes, skylight entering an area through a window or doorway has good portrait lighting potential.

I did a quick edit and attempted to find a little shadow detail. Sometimes even with a ratio of 5:1, I can find something.

It's good that you recognized an interesting subject in a dramatic lightg situation. One of the main skills in portraiture is "seeing" and recognizing light. I would rather see a shot with a bit too much contrast than a flat uninteresting lighting. Keep up the your efforts- you are training your eyes. You can refine your techniques as you progress.



Reply
Feb 16, 2019 16:29:37   #
patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio
 
Thank you so much, your critique very enlightening. I don't no if I will ever get the chance to reshoot but if I do I will make an effort to add enough fill to treat the face properly.

Reply
Mar 1, 2019 08:36:24   #
bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana
 
I don't mind the split lighting at all, it is interesting. My only thing (and Ed's edit helped a bit) was that it's disturbing to me to have the eye as just a socket. Even a little light in his eye would have helped.

Maybe Ed's treatment, but then make it a dark sepia, to counteract the lack of color in the shadow that was lightened. (unfortunately, there is no way to bring out detail in the shadow without losing color, it's just how light works) It may end up becoming pretty powerful. Of course, it's one thing to say it, and another thing when it is done, and my idea could be horrible.

I like the portrait well enough that I would definitely take the time to try some more work on it.

If you ever found the gentleman again, he may even want to purchase a copy.

Reply
Mar 1, 2019 08:39:34   #
patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio
 
Thank you sir, appreciate your comments.

Reply
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Professional and Advanced Portraiture
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.