Get that camera away from me!!!

[Mulski]

Okay, don't know how many other blokes get the "get that camera away from me, I hate my photo being taken.....I always look awful" from their other half.

In an effort to try to convince my wife that awful pics are 'typically' not the fault of the person (stupid poses aside) but the way the photo was taken, I'm trying to work on improving my portrait understanding and work, so that I can hopefully prove her wrong, even if it takes a few more years of hard bargaining to convince her otherwise.

Anyway, with a little bit of trepidation (new to sharing my pics in public) I'd would welcome your feedback on composure, lighting and prob PP most of all on the before and after photos below. I'm conscious that I probably going too far on the pp aspect, but I guess the $60K question is how far is too far..

Many thanks in advance for your help and feedback.

EXIF
Canon - 400D
F/stop - 5.6
Exp 1/10
Exp Bias - 0
ISO - 400
FL - 50mm
Meter - Pattern
Flash - Auto, Red Eye

Before


After


Cheers

[zona5101]

Nice work in bringing the skin tones back in line and fixing the underexposure, the second image is definitely improved. Looks like you cropped a bit off the top and that was well played. The correction of the flash shadow is a little obvious on the smoothing in the hair and by the shirt. Compositionally, it is what it is - a standard head and shoulders shot, nothing fancy but nothing "wrong" with it either - although had you had her a few more feet away from the background you wouldn't have to deal with that shadow. Probably my biggest knock would be the lighting, direct flash - specular highlights, small pin catchlights and generally flat.

[Mulski]

Thanks for the feedback Bruce, appreciate it and welcomed.

I know its not a wow shot, but good to hear I'm heading in the right direction regarding under exposure etc. And I agree the smoothing is somewhat obvious and this is something I am trying to improve on in PP, but as you say, changing position by not being too close to the background would deal with this.

When you say its 'flat'. can you advise what 'technique' etc I could use that would improve this?.

Thanks again for the constructive comments.

Cheers

[ednorm]

Its a really nice looking picture of a beautiful woman, tell her I said so. My wife is the same, everytime I take her photo she reviews and makes me erase it! Women see themselves differently than we see them.

ed

[Swanner Photography]

I think PP has helped. Her skin tones still look a bit orange to me. Also, the harsh shadow on the wall is a big pet peve for me but thats just me. Next time bring her 4 foot or so from the wall. Are you using on camera flash? Mabe put her in some direct light.

I think the comp is good.

Hope this helps.

[mpaulison]

She looks like a mod British woman. I don't think any of this matters because once she sees that second shot, she won't be resistant to pictures any more. This is what I'd call an investment shot. You definitely saved the shot with good processing.