on location portrait

[1000 words]

Did a portrait for a friend of mine that works at guitar center. He wanted something with all the guitars behind him so this is what I got. I've been trying to find that happy medium between ambient lighting and flash, and it was really hard in there because the lighting is half tungsten and half fluorescent. Please comment on lighting, exposure, and composition
thank you for your comments ahead of time, I appreciate them



Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 28 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[smc1377]

Kinda confused about the pose. Ok, I understand that not all portraits require the subject to look at the camera, but why is he looking in that direction? I guess it would make more sense if he was looking down at his guitar and if he looked like he was actually going to play, not just hold it.

[zona5101]

The mixed lighting is tough, I think it would have been more effective to light him in all one type of light or get a tighter picture where more of him in the frame in a single color light (flash for example). The big thing that I see that hurts this as a portrait is...the guitar! It is front and center and the main focus of the eye. That can be fixed by tighten the composition. I think if you reshot it and wanted full length you might want to elevate your shooting position just a bit so your shooting at a slight downward angle. That would also help to deemphasize the guitar and lower body but still have them in the frame. Good luck and have fun.

[cherrygirl]

I would have him look at the camera and crop in a little tighter. I love the angle, the idea.

[Jamie Hibbert]

I agree with the comments above, but for me there is not enough separation between the subject and the background. You could try a few ideas.

Bring him further forward and gather less ambient light.

Flash the background harder to make it almost high key...

Rim light the subject to pop him out of the scene.

I think I would go with the last option if it were me.

[1000 words]

hey guys thanks for the constructive comments. I am learning a lot everyday, and what are we if we're not constantly learning right? Life would be boring as hell.... how bout this




Is this better?? I think it's a slight tighter, and I feel like I controlled the lighting a little better. Is that more on the right track?

[zona5101]

I like this MUCH better. The eye contact makes it work! The shadow side could use a bit of fill but thats more of a personal preference. The mixed lighting and the big white guitar are still competing for attention but the pose, framing and eyes make this a much stronger portrait. Nice job!

[Jamie Hibbert]

Much better, he is starting to POP out of the page now. Shows something a lot more dynamic and better separation between fore ground and background.

[idb]

I think the lighting is very good and the comp too but I wonder why you chose one in which he's looking away, instead of at, or toward, the camera.

[idb]

Yup, the last one is much better!