rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Palepictures....

Darn! Yep...I see that now..thanks for the input...

I appreciate all of these constructive criticisms,...they will help a lot.

demill Loc: Nashville TN

Good shots. especially how u captured it in b&w

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

If you do some reworks let us see how they turn out. I agree with the general consensus that this was a very good first portrait shoot.

alaskanfrog Loc: Alaska

The top, first photo is a nice composition. To make her stand out better, get or use a "Hair Light" also known as a "Back Light." This will separate your subject from the black background. She has black or very dark hair to begin with. Notice how she fades into the black background. If you want her hair to stand out from the background, a hair light is in order here. It doesn't need to be too bright, and should not be more than 50% of the lights you used when you took the photo. There are several ways to apply the Back Light. One is to have a Boom Light, the other is to have a small light source, preferably a small "spot light" type of fixture so that you can direct the light exactly where you want it. Small spotlights can actually be placed on the floor directly, or offside behind your subject and aimed upward. Any back light should be placed with discretion and should be just out of sight of your camera. A properly placed hair light will separate your subject from the background, give a very nice outline of the head and yet, provide a rich black background.

Now, all that being said, if you were looking for the effect of your subject fading to the background around her head, then you have successfully accomplished this and it's still a very good photo. Whatever the case, Very, Very nice first effort. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

LWH Loc: Nebraska

Love the lighting in the second shot.

JerrysPhotos Loc: Arkansas

I don't do portraits, but they look great to me.........

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Alaskianfrog,
Thanks for the very good suggestion....I'll try that next time. I would have liked her to stand out from the background a bit more but hindsight and all that!

thanks LWH and Jerrysphotos...I appreciate the props...

Now to just get my wife to sit still for a few more armed with my new knowledge!

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

upon first look I thought, pretty good
2nd look.....
ok now I have read all the reviews

for a serious picture of your wife, #3, hands down, lighting and all. I prefer not to let my bra straps hang out...but for some it is a fashion and in these pics I did not notice it until pointed out.

the thing I find to be most in need of correcting and bear with me because it is a pet peeve I have with my mom is her make-up in the color shot. If her face and neck colors blended a little better I think it would be a pretty darn good shot...I like the angle, the expression on her face, and the way the background color and clothing color match. My mom used to do that all the time...to me....it stands out.... could it be the lighting????

Maybe when you said you wanted to take a serious portrait of your wife, you meant you where going to get serious and take a lovely portrait of your wife, which I think you did when you showed her with a smile and a twinkle in her eye in that top black and white. I like that one best.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

rivernan,
(got your name right not river Man!)

I appreciate the comments...you are right...the makeup coupled with my lack of experience was a factor.

I found it hard to "see" all that I needed to see in the pressure of the moment.

And yes..I meant to try more "seriously" to capture her beauty... :)