BB4A

Hi All, I've recently been experimenting with unusual orientations of my models and I'd appreciate some feedback.

This portrait actually isn't recent; dates back to the dim & distant 2017, but I think it demonstrates my Concept thoughts & basic approach, without me having to ask for recent Client permissions (always difficult to contact Clients around the holiday period). Feedback I'd be very interested in includes:
1. For models with VERY long hair (as in this case, hair to the waistline may impose certain restrictions for typical portrait orientations?) does cutting the hair in this type of orientation and crop work better than more traditional orientations, that would also cut the hair off?
2. How about single arm balance, with the light source and turned head? Although I've gone for a traditional head orientation 3/4 towards the camera and placed the arm in balance and as a partial light screen in slight background to the models face (to accentuate the models classical high cheekbone beauty)... did I achieve a pleasing effect?
3. Should I (could I?) go uber-weird with this layout and flip the image to landscape mode, or would that strain the viewers mind even more? Would that remove the art and just make it a c(art)oon?
4. Does this portrait tell a story, or has the orientation just made it too weird?

Details of the portrait:
1. One of the very last natural light portrait sessions I completed with a Canon 7D Mk II and 50mm F/1.4 USM combo (and now, looking at this pic, I'm reminded of how much I miss the lovely noise effects created by this body in fairly low natural light situations)
2. Captured at 1/60th of a second, at F/1.6, and ISO 1250 (to get that nostalgic look!), handheld
3. Only light source was natural; a large window to the right background of the model, a little peripheral light from open door and another window behind the photographer.
4. Notes - the original (landscape) image used in aircraft nose art (color) for a 1980's RNZAF BAC 167 aircraft rebuild, combined with a film noire "femme fatale" (black & white, not represented here) shoot.

(Download)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In my calibrated monitor the image has a deep yellow cast.

BB4A

Interesting. I’ve viewed this and the original (from which this crop was taken) image on a couple of the Apple Liquid Retina XDR displays I use for final checks and I see a soft yellow cast, which the Client selected from a couple of other options. I have a specific “Nostalgia & Nose Art” post processing set that I use when working for that genre look, and the Client certainly seems to like the blown up wrap on his aircraft’s nose. BTW, I’ve also used the same pp set for 50’s & 60’s era car wrap pin-ups and that often seems to be the most popular lookout of the options I offer.

I had thought that I didn’t push it too hard into a deep yellow cast on this image; the intention was for it to appear as a freshly painted and varnished surface on the aircraft, rather than weathered and UV yellowed (as if it had been on there for years!).

Setting aside than the color scheme for the moment,does the portrait work for you (with model horizontal and hanging hair cropped)? I’m genuinely interested, as I have recently completed a series of commissions with more than one feature being models reclining or horizontal, and I seem to have split my Clients right down the middle. To the point where I’m starting to call this my “Marmite” pose… you either love it or you hate it; no middle ground!
https://youtu.be/M29CYYyRnqA

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

Could you possibly post the un-cropped version? m It's difficult to critique, suggest a different crop or orientation without seeing the original image.

Sayin' you should have could have, or I would have done...whatever, makes no sense without being able to illustrate any ideas.

If the posted image is the as-is original file as to composition, there is little you can do with it. Also, lots have to do with YOUR concert as to what statement you want to make with his image. Are you looking for the old "Hollywood" look/ If you want to make a "tradition portrait" it can be difficult or impossible to make it some a kida avant-garde image simply by changing the crop? orientation or aspect ratio. Is the man supposed to feat the hairstyle? Is it for a model's portfolio, composite, or J-card?

The composition and light will determine where the viewers' eye goes so consider where they highly are and where the eyes or located in the composition. Consider where you are cutting the body- is there a balance or did you "truncate" the model by not showing more body or is t a tight head shot?

You kinda lost me with the discussion of the paint job on an aircraft- what am I missing? Skintone can be subjective. Warmth is definitely acceptable in portraiture but sometimes "yellow" looks kinda jaundiced, magenta can look like fever or a rash, so a drop of red can be better.

At the ed of the day, it's a nice shot with a great expression of a pretty lady. If you don't mind my messing with the composition- post the original image. You might agree with what I suggest or tell me that I am nuts- Let's see!