Portrait??

[BrentHelm]

This is one of my first tries with portraits. Which do you think is better? What do you think could make better?

[Jae]

I'm not a pro on portraits by any means but I will say I like the second one better!!!

[angeleyes216]

i would straighten the picture, otherwise i like the 2nd one too...nice job

[Nathan deGargoyle]

IMHO the first one is better but a compromise between the two would be best

[BrentHelm]

Thanks... I actually missed that it needed to be straightned... I was to worried about the PP (minus the orientation). Thanks for the comments I will make straight and repost!!

[ttosifa]

I am going to have to go with the first one too. I don't think you got the soft focus look you wanted in the second. It just looks blurry to me.

Also, the very first thing I noticed looking at these pictures is a halo around the subject. I don't know if you were trying to get one, but quite often retouchers go to great lengths to make them very subtle. To me, it looks weird because the light falling on her also seems to light the distant building with the same intensity. And the halo seems far worse in the second, maybe because of the blur?

[imagesbyjk]

Of the 2 the first one is better. The soft focus look is too strong and doesn't fit the scene. As for improvements, move her closer to the pole. She looks like she's hunching over into it. The light is pretty good. Her expression is odd. Looks like she's raising her eyebrows and it doesn't fit the apparent mood you're going for.

[BrentHelm]

Actually she is leaning against our condo and it is raining outside. We were playing with my camera before we went a took a couple of shots with some friends. We werent really going for the "mood". Thanks for all of your comments I appreciate them very much.

[imagesbyjk]

Originally Posted by BrentHelm

Actually she is leaning against our condo and it is raining outside. We were playing with my camera before we went a took a couple of shots with some friends. We werent really going for the "mood". Thanks for all of your comments I appreciate them very much.

Regardless, she still looks hunched over and her expression is odd whether you were going for a "mood" or not. My point is those are things you need to look for and be conscious of when you're shooting.

[genielamb]

Not an expert here but perhaps this will give you some ideas... This is my take, I have attempted to straighten, remove the halo, soften the effect but retain clarity and smooth out the roughness of the skin. Will remove if you say the word