Ultra-Man Loc: Budapest, Hungary

Just trying out a studio setup with a new reflecting umbrella soft box and a reflector.

(Download)

Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast

Ultra-Man, nice set up. I like the lighting. One Question, I'm interested in your thoughts/reasoning on cropping the top of her head.

Ultra-Man Loc: Budapest, Hungary

I wanted all the attention to her eyes and face.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

In that case you need to get rid of the earring....
It pulls my eyes away from her yes beautiful eyes and face..
Earring is to big and its bright...

Dave Chinn

A lovely lady with nice results !!! I personally don't see an issue with the crop. Its done quite often by some of the best. https://peterhurley.com/

Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast

Ultra-Man, thanks, I'm just interested. I don't see it as right or wrong. I see this done quite often and was wondering your thoughts behind it. Good job, I like your presentation.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Such a warm charismatic radiant smile Ultra-Man... Superb illumination and so easy to see the reflecting umbrella soft box and reflector in the catch lights in her iris... who's amber glow is the center piece of this fine portraiture... Totally love the ear decor which adds a perfect touch of elegance to the narrative... and works in complete harmony with compositional elements...

If I could add a thought on taking this to the next level it would be to have groomed her hair a tad bit more carefully... As a makeup artist I'm keenly aware of the stray loose hair across her décolletage which in my humble estimation slightly detracts here... I will oft lift the tresses up and pull them back repeatedly while a session is in progress... Important Note: Make certain the talent is aware of your intentions here prior to doing same... personal space is to be honored at all times... However agency talent are quite use to this, albeit retail clients maybe not so much... btw a super hold hair spray works wonders here... but ultimately collaborating with a tenured hair stylist is the correct way to go if you are seeking commercial quality...

I could give a dissertation on her makeup but that would not likely be in harmony with a photographic forum so I'll just say love the blush and lip decor, works well with her skin tone... and thank you so much for not removing her skin texture which sadly is so oft the case with "glamour" genre....

All in all, absolutely wonderful imagery with excellent team synergy latent within...
Thank you for sharing Ultra-Man

Ultra-Man Loc: Budapest, Hungary

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I'm new to portrait photography so any cc will be helpful. As for the model, the makeup artist failed to show up, so she had to do the job herself.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...I'm new to portrait photography..." you're certain off to an excellent start here Ultra-Man... Wise choice of genre, portraiture is the primary revenue stream for those working commercially... Especially family portraiture where "A client for life" is the manta...

"...the makeup artist failed to show..." I feel your pain here... And is the primary reason I became professional trained and hold a cosmetologist license in makeup artistry... My passion is beauty genre where hair and makeup is paramount... the photographer is basically relegated to a secondary role in providing highly effective illumination which in itself is both craft and science... but I digress, beauty genre is but a subset of portraiture which is vast in scope that it encompasses...

It's also great that you're keen on studio work... which allows total freedom in granularity of illumination control... A studio is by far and away so much more important than camera and lens... After all is said and done, as photographers we in essence "paint with light" and the studio is likely the ultimate vehicle for this...

I wish you well on your journey Ultra-Man...
And look forward to seeing more of your creative visual statements here on UHH...
Again thank you for sharing...

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Hi Ultra-Man,

I agree that the crop is NOT a problem. I like the good separation of her head, hair, and shoulders from the background. I also think you did a great job with focus and being sharp, and maintaining the texture of her skin - not overdone and real looking. The catch lights appear to be placed well, perhaps raised up just a tad and pointed down to result in the main light more at a 2 O'Clock position?

The large earring could be a bit distracting, but her eyes are very nice. I have not quite decided, fully, if her hair on her chest is too distracting and needs removed or not - Hmmm? Possibly, it might be better if the hair off her camera left shoulder was not there - another question mark for me, but most portraits usually do clean up the stray, fly away type hairs, and women's hair is usually well groomed. Lastly, the one thing I notice right away when i blow up the download on my 27" screen is the very circular, black dot shaped 'spot' looking like it is just above an extended eyelash (like on the tip) on her camera right eye. Is that a beauty mark/dark freckle or a piece of eyeliner or mascara or what? My eyes just go right to it when the download is enlarged, but is not nearly as noticeable in normal viewing mode. Thanks Ultra-Man.

Best Regards,
Tom

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

Great portrait. Like the lighting and lady is beautiful. The only thing I would have done differently is to change the cropping to a square format. To me there is too much background on the sides. A square catches all of her and draws attention to her beautiful eyes and face.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Nice shot . . . but there are two things I would suggest that would improve it greatly.

1) Studio light is supposed to try and emulate natural light, and the only real natural source of light is the sun. The sun always comes from above so having the lights below eye level is not natural looking. It is recommended that the catch lights be around 11:00 or 1:00 o'clock

2) Your camera angle seems to make the model's neck appear quite long. This is one of the reasons that camera position is recommended to be slightly above eye level. Yours is a bit low in my opinion.
Hope that helps.

Robeng Loc: California

Hi Ultra-Man,

Very nice portrait with a very pretty model. The only thing I would do if its was my image is add a little more light and clean up the hair. That's just me.

Rob

Robeng Loc: California

Weddingguy,

I disagree with you regarding your comment "studio light is supposed to try and emulate natural light". Light is light and how you decide to use it in any way or form is part of a photographer's creativity. I support that statement by some of my latest work in the boudoir / NSFW galley. Feel free to check it out.

Rob

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I agree with Rob about allowing the photographer to unleash his creativity regarding lighting. Lighting does not necessarily have to emulate the sun. If that were the case, there would be a lot less creative portraits out there. I think your photo is wonderful in every way and even though the lighting does not mimic the sun, it really does show off the talent in beautiful light. Thanks for posting.