tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Here is how it all went down. Two models were posing in the street for a professional photographer. They took about a 10 minute break and were talking to people in the crowd when I asked if I could take a few portrait shots of them. I told them that I was a complete amateur just trying to improve my skills and the photos would be for my use only. They were cool with that. Even though I did not speak with the photographer, I knew that I liked him because besides shooting with a Canon, He also shot with a Sony. I shoot with a Sony.

Now then, I specifically asked this girl to pose a certain way and she did EXACTLY what I asked of her in each pose. In photo #1, I asked her to look down at the ground in a whimsical way. For me, it turned out good.

In photo #2, I had her turn a certain way so I could catch both of her eyes because I was intrigued by her blue contacts. I don't know if it is any good or not, but it does accomplish what I was after.

Photo #3. Well, I blew this one all the way. What else can I say? I was going for subtle, yet sexy. Oops.

#1


#2


#3 Yep, I screwd this one up real bad.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Very nice. The third one would have worked if the background was just plain.
--Bob

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Thanks, Bob. For starters, she was supposed to have both arms & hands in the photo. She did it right. I missed. And yes, the background was another problem. I suppose that could have been fixed in Photoshop. I also did not like the eyes in this one.

Tom

Robertven Loc: Fort Worth

Eyebrows look like they are printed cutouts stuck on with adhesive. Ugh.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

I don't like her makeup either, but the execution of the poses was very nice. It's very hard to get novices to assume a striking pose even after demonstrating what you want to them, so the model's professionalism shows through. It was also very nice of her to use her 'break time' to help the gentleman in his quest to improve.

Robertven Loc: Fort Worth

Sorry I only picked on what I considered to be the negative. I do think the poses are really good and the photography excellent. I'm just an amateur and don't do portraits etc. so my critiques are questionable at best. Just didn't like the fake eyelashes.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Yeah, they do, don't they? I am sure they are fake.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Funny; I did not interpret what you said as a negative. You called it as you saw it. That is just fine.

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

I am not here to tell anyone how to critique photography, y'all are free to call 'em as you see 'em!

This section is ,however, dedicated to advanced and professional portraiture so as a long time professional portrait photographer and a commercial guy as well, here's my take on this situation.

In a well-planned portrait session or even a fashion shoot, the photographer gets to advice the subject or model on makeup, hairstyle or at least, have some input into these matters. In many cases, in the commercial sector, we get to choose the models or at least collaborate with the art director or the fashion designer on theses selections. Sometimes we work with a makeup artist and hair stylist who is also a collaborator in any given shoot or project. The photographer and his or her team become responsible for all the aesthetics as well as the lighting and posing etc. Many professional models are trained to pose to best feature the garments and accessories they are modeling. All very controlled and professional.

In a private portrait session at my studio, I do an an advanced pre-sitting consultation with each client and advise and discuss clothing, costume, colors props, makeup, and all the preparations, genre- all coordinated.

Sound cool?- but there is a glitch! Sometimes they don't listen, take my advice and show up with strange stuff- weird jewelry, bizarre color and patterns, crazy makeup, strange hairstyle or colors and let;'s not even discuss body piercings and tattoos. Personally, I'm not into all the piercing hardware and "ink" but "different strokes for different folks" and the client wants a portrait that expresses their taste, which may not necessarily jibe with mine- or that of their their mom or dad or grandma who the portrait is a gift for! Also, when we are shooting impromptu or casual unexpected "portraits" or people pictures" we gotta work around whatever we have to contend with and it is not always perfect!

Another thing- My first boss and mentor (over 50 years ago) told me about the first commandment of portrait photography- I'll paraphrases: "Listen. to me kid, everybody who comes in here ain't no Clark Gable and Heady Lamar but it's our job to make'em look good"! Now y'all see how old I am- so let's say, Mr. and Mrs. George Clooney! Or whoever rings your chimes in the beauty department. Portrait photographers don't get to say "UGH" about our clients or any aspect of their appearance. It sounds idealistic but we have to find the beauty and character in everyone we photograph and try hard to bring it into our portraits. We use out tools; lighting, posing, camer position. optical effects such as soft focus, and our abilities to relax folks and secure good natural expressions.

So friends...I prefer to critique on the photography and not the subject.

Let's look at these images for a professional portrait shooters point of view. The subject is actually very beautiful. She over-did the eyebrows but that may have been a highly stylized fashion statement or a form of stage performance makeup. The all ver makeup is a bit harsh. These two aesthetics leaves the subject- a beautiful young woman a kida hard look. The overhead lighting is kinda uneven and in one of the shots has under-illuminated the eye sockets and over-illuminate her nose, causing it to seem larger and wider. In this shot, the hand is coming in out of nowhere.

As the OP specified, this was an impromptu shoot so all we NOW have at our disposal is post-processing. So...here's my quick and dirty edits on 2 of the images.

Reconfiguring the eyebrows would have been a days work so I just took a bit of the arch our on them in one of the shots. I softened the entire image- a bit of diffusion or blur. I even out the lighting on the faces, de-emphasized the highlight on her nose in the second image, brightened the eye sockets and improved the contrast and detail in her INK- I'm sure she is proud of the art!

By the way- I know that the OP is a good shooter and always wants to improve in his work. He knows how to process a critique and learn from it. If he is anything like me, well- I hate complex post-processing to correct issues so next time he is out there, I'll bet his technique will be stellar! Don't consider this a tutorial on post-processing or retouching- it more about how to avoid most of it when you are shooting.