Portrait critique

[Yunusa Abdullahi]

I want you guys to look at this portraits and tell me what i could have done to make them better.
The first shot(31297) was shot with a canonEOS 50D, F/16,1/200secs, ISO 100, Focal Length 100mm
Second picture(31298) is also shot with canon EOS 50D, F/11,1/200,ISO 100, Focal length 70mm. The pictures were taken with a Tamron telephoto 70-300mmAttachment 31297

IMG_0239A.jpg

[Benji]

A rather nice image. I would have turned the fill light up a bit to lighten the shadows up somewhat, and I would have raised the hair light up so it illuminated not only the side of her hair but also the top of her head. Lastly I feel broad loop lighting would be more flattering to her facial structure.

Benji

[Daytonj6]

I would say fix up her facial expression for next time.

Jot a note down. sure a picture may be perfectly focused and shot with absolutly stunning light and tecnique but ver all it might suck cause of the model


just consider this


Dayton

[idb]

Originally Posted by Daytonj6

I would say fix up her facial expression for next time.

Jot a note down. sure a picture may be perfectly focused and shot with absolutly stunning light and tecnique but ver all it might suck cause of the model


just consider this


Dayton

On the other hand, not all portraits are of models. Far from it. Getting a good portrait of an "ordinary person" takes more talent.

Besides, in my opinion, she's an attractive woman.

Back to the photo - it's too dark for me. I think the lighting suggestions already made would help a lot.

[Daytonj6]

A portrait to be respectful is of a person.
therefor it is about the person other words it would not be called portrait.


Sure it takes more talent because they do not have the exposere of working with a photographer taking high quality portraits.


It does not matter if she is attractive or not, my point is about my opinion saying that her facial expression could be fixed.

to me i do not get this picture.

the facial expression is the portrait. the figure, their actions the body language lighting and colour.

you cant have an 'emo' smiling in a picture, thats contradicting two factors....

[sybren]

It may be the forum software doing weird things, but the photo looks blurred to me. Perhaps f/16 is giving some diffraction softness? Did you do any sharpening (either in-camera or in post)?

[weezerisrock]

I'm with the poster above me. The picture does look a little blurred. Also the white balance appears to be off somewhat. Her skin has an orangish tint.

Otherwise your lighting is great and I love how the hair falls around her face. I think its a lovely portrait just a bit on the soft side and for me.