How does this work as a portrait? He's the 19 year old son of some friends of mine and this was a candid shot taken with a zoom lens when he wasn't aware.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

He's the 19 year old son of some friends of mine and this was a candid shot taken with a zoom lens when he wasn't aware.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

To me, to classify as a portrait, one has to "pose" the subject ..
What you have is an informal shot (and a good one at that )of a person...

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Mmm, thanks for that. I prefer informal shots to obviously posed ones.

fawlty128 Loc: LI, NY now in Allentown, PA

The big benefit in posed portrait shots is that you have complete control over focus and lighting. With candid shots, you usually do not have that option. Looks like you had to deal with some very harsh sunlight, a moving target and a bit of distance between you and the subject. I think a little cropping and B&W or Sepia conversion may work well here.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

GARGLEBLASTER wrote:

He's the 19 year old son of some friends of mine and this was a candid shot taken with a zoom lens when he wasn't aware.

for me, it doesn't work. (not as a portrait) because of three things:

1.) He wasn't aware that he was being photographed and thus it's not a portrait...strictly speaking.

2.) The lighting is harsh and not flattering really.

3.) Because it's a "long lens" shot I'd expect a better "moment" caught, something more interesting.

I guess overall it just doesn't work for me.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

There are "Formal" and "Informal" portraits, and in both there are also "Studio" and "Environmental" versions.

I think this falls into the category of a very nice "Informal Environmental" portrait. With a little work in post processing, the highlights can be toned down, and some fill light added to the shadows to make a very nice shot!!

Ideally the lighting wouldn't have been this harsh, but sometimes we can't TOTALLY control that!!

Good eye and nice attempt..... Just a little work and you have it!!

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Fawlty128, Rpavich and Wahawk. Thanks for the criticisms. I would love to do black and white but my efforts so far to convert from colour to black and white haven't been very satisfactory. You're welcome to try if you wish.

Oh, by the way, it was midday sun.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

rpavich wrote:

1.) He wasn't aware that he was being photographed and thus it's not a portrait...strictly speaking.

Definition of a Portrait (from Wiki):
Portrait photography or portraiture is photography of a person or group of people that displays the expression, personality, and mood of the subject. Like other types of portraiture, the focus of the photograph is usually the person's face, although the entire body and the background or context may be included.

Boldface was added by me.
It does NOT have to be posed, or done with the subjects knowledge to be a portrait. In fact, some of the best portraits I have seen show someone that is totally unaware of the picture being taken.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Wahawk wrote:

Definition of a Portrait (from Wiki): br Portrait ... (show quote)

I stand corrected :)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

GARGLEBLASTER wrote:

Fawlty128, Rpavich and Wahawk. Thanks for the criticisms. I would love to do black and white but my efforts so far to convert from colour to black and white haven't been very satisfactory. You're welcome to try if you wish.

Oh, by the way, it was midday sun.

Good suggestion, I gave it a shot and I think it works better...but I'm not a pro so take that with a grain of salt.

fawlty128 Loc: LI, NY now in Allentown, PA

GARGLEBLASTER wrote:

Fawlty128, Rpavich and Wahawk. Thanks for the criticisms. I would love to do black and white but my efforts so far to convert from colour to black and white haven't been very satisfactory. You're welcome to try if you wish.

Oh, by the way, it was midday sun.

I don't have the software or skills to correct for the blown highlights but here's a quick crop and conversion to a slight sepia finish.

Jim Irvine Loc: Indiana

I wouldn't want to discourage anyone who is looking for critique of their work, so please take this as critique, not criticism. There is quite a difference between the two words.

You have a fare casual snap, but nothing more. Here's why I come to that conclusion: the lighting of the subject is uneven and blown out o the back of the subject's head; the back ground is uninteresting and does not help to draw the viewer's eye to the subject; the object in the lower right of the frame is too distracting for anything other than a snap shot.

Having written al that, allow me to write a few words of encouragement: the clarity of the subject is good for a quick, casual shot. You've asked so you can learn, so keep shooting, keep posting, and keep reviewing your older works and current works so you can be impressed by your progress.

Hope to see more of your work in the days to come!

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

fawlty128 wrote:

I don't have the software or skills to correct for the blown highlights but here's a quick crop and conversion to a slight sepia finish.

Thank you both. Yes, it works in B/W but it still need a little light on the face and the bright side toned down a little.

I have some basic software but not much knowledge so I appreciate your efforts. Anyway, here's my effort. Not so good methinks.

user11850

donrent wrote:

To me, to classify as a portrait, one has to "pose" the subject ..
What you have is an informal shot (and a good one at that )of a person...

its a candid shot

GPoyner Loc: North Dakota

Well I don't usually play with photos, but I wanted to try something out...here is a B&W version for you.