Portrait Attempts C&C Requested: I want to create a portfolio of about 20 images that demonstrate my proficiency as a portrait photographer. Am I on the right track with the three...

BigDen Loc: Alberta, Canada

I want to create a portfolio of about 20 images that demonstrate my proficiency as a portrait photographer. Am I on the right track with the three attachments with lighting and composition?

I would appreciate candid comments that would point me in the direction I need to go.

Thanks
Dennis

Outdoors under a cover ambient only

Outdoors in shade ambient only

brimor Loc: leeds yorkshire uk

first class work

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Honestly, they all look like snapshots to me. The wb is way off in the first one. Oh, and feel free to pick on me on my next post of portraiture. I am still learning also.

BigDen Loc: Alberta, Canada

Brimor:

Thank you for your comment

BigDen Loc: Alberta, Canada

Tainkc:

Thanks for your comments, that is how I will learn. I realize that WB is often a matter of personal choice. I did go back and warm up the first one (I didn't repost it) and I agree that it improves the picture. The adjustment was only a slight change.

Can you elaborate on why they look like snapshots to you? Is it because they are candid shots rather than posed shots? Or is there some other factor that you had in mind?

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Looking very good to me, except for cropping. Don't crop any of the head off, and leave a little more room all the way around on the last one.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

BigDen wrote:

Tainkc:

Thanks for your comments, that is how I will learn. I realize that WB is often a matter of personal choice. I did go back and warm up the first one (I didn't repost it) and I agree that it improves the picture. The adjustment was only a slight change.

Can you elaborate on why they look like snapshots to you? Is it because they are candid shots rather than posed shots? Or is there some other factor that you had in mind?

I think you hit the nail on the head. They look more candid. Even though these are in natural light, your lighting would be different, you would have them posed, and your backgrounds would be set differently. That is one of my biggest problems by the way; when I try for outdoor portraiture, I always seem to mess up with the backgrounds some how.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

I think #2 is a great start, good soft background and pose. My only C&C would be to take a step back, all 3 photos seem to sut off the top of their heads.

Great start.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

You have managed to get the subjects relaxed and smiling - a vital skill for a good portrait taker.

IMHO it's better to err on the side of brightness for a portrait, hence my only criticism of #1. To my mind a portrait should be dark only if you are specifically going for a subdued or moody atmosphere. Maybe it will lighten up if you sort out the WB, as tainkc suggested.

GWR100 Loc: England

Really nice pictures, but perhaps you could find a better light source like the first one.

BigDen wrote:

I want to create a portfolio of about 20 images that demonstrate my proficiency as a portrait photographer. Am I on the right track with the three attachments with lighting and composition?

I would appreciate candid comments that would point me in the direction I need to go.

Thanks
Dennis

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

I would add, in #1, the subjects left eye is too dark, also maybe a little highlight would give some life to his left eye.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

BigDen wrote:

Tainkc:

Thanks for your comments, that is how I will learn. I realize that WB is often a matter of personal choice. I did go back and warm up the first one (I didn't repost it) and I agree that it improves the picture. The adjustment was only a slight change.

Can you elaborate on why they look like snapshots to you? Is it because they are candid shots rather than posed shots? Or is there some other factor that you had in mind?

I would refer to these as "Environmental" portraits rather than "candid". To me, candid means that the subject was not posing and yours appear to be knowingly posing for you. I really like the 'environmental' style myself, using available light and learning how to arrange the subject to get pleasing results with minimal manipulation of lighting, etc.

Other than the cropping, IMHO you have a great start.

BigDen Loc: Alberta, Canada

Thank you all for your comments. There seem to be a few that do not like the head crops. I don't recall but that may be my camera crop rather than what I saw in the viewfinder. I am a fan of zooming in on the face even if that means cropping some of the head. I was not aware that this is not proper. Brian Jean in his book "It's All About The Light" has a section where he indicates that it is OK to crop the head. He says we should not be afraid to do so. In looking at the portraits in books by JimmyD (Headshots) and Tony Northrup (Stunning Digital Photography) I find that a significant number of their portraits crop a portion of the head

What is proper format?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

BigDen wrote:

Thank you all for your comments. There seem to be... (show quote)

It's perfectly ok to crop the top of the head off...don't worry about it.

I'll give you a more detailed critique later when I'm off work but I do have one suggestion.

If you are serious about getting better....

Two resources you should have:

1.) Portraiture tips and techniques; Ebook by Wayne Radford. You will get answers and you will improve.

2.) Roberto Valenzuela's Creativelive seminar videos; well worth the money. I've never seen anyone who can light, pose and shoot someone better under normal or adverse conditions...he's brilliant. He's also a good teacher....very easy to understand and what he can impart in 10 minutes is worth the cost of the videos.

More later.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

BigDen wrote:

Thank you all for your comments. There seem to be... (show quote)

What is "proper" is a very 'subjective' question.
There are those who say NEVER crop part of the head, and others feel that it is ok. For me personally, it depends on the overall look of the photo, but for a 'portrait' my personal taste says don't cut off any of the head.

If the photographer and, more importantly, the client/subject like the crop then it is great!! I would take the photos without cropping too tight, then you can crop later to give the final view you and the subject are looking for.