Hair and background

[briandee]

Is the from above lighting on the hair make her look cone headed ? or is it just me ?
Background is the kitchen, where she wanted it, I think my Dof is to shallow to make anything recognizable, is the background just garbage now or not so bad ?



Camera: Canon EOS 5D
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[Genevieve]

The light on her head isn't too bad, maybe you could darken the white patch of whatever that is in the background if it bugs you. I think the background is good because it's not too busy and does not take away from the subject. Next time try shooting your subject evenly instead of one shoulder out more than the other, it made her look massive on her left side and it's not very flattering.

[cphoniball]

Your lighting looks pretty good to me. Nice and soft, with catchlights in the eyes. However, if you don't personally like the ceiling bounce, hit a wall with the flash (I like wall bounce better usually). The background is semi-distracting only because the patch of yellow on our left is comparatively light in tone, but it's blurred nicely - maybe burning that bit down would have helped. Overall, good work!

[LeeR]

Remember that our eyes are drawn by contrast so there is a bit of competition for attention between her face and the bright yellow spot behind her. You may be able to tone that down a bit and remove the distraction. Aside from that, this is a wonderfully warm image. It has an honesty that is so often missing on portraiture. You have allowed her true beauty to shine through without trying to make her glamorous or something she is not and that is a gift.

[lputman]

The yellow doesn't bother me at all. What does bother me is there is a lighter patch of color at the top left of her head that looks like it could be the corner or side of the hood over the stove. What a beautiful portrait!

[briandee]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

The light on her head isn't too bad, maybe you could darken the white patch of whatever that is in the background if it bugs you. I think the background is good because it's not too busy and does not take away from the subject. Next time try shooting your subject evenly instead of one shoulder out more than the other, it made her look massive on her left side and it's not very flattering.

yes, her shoulder does look big, longer focal length next time for sure :>