These are my first portraits. I need to know where to improve.

[TheKingInYellow]

These portraits were taken of very good friends of mine. They knew I was learning photography, and agreed to be my models for the day.

All shots were taken with my XSi and a rented EF 24-70 f/2.8 USM. They were taken on-site using a 580EX II slaved with PWs and a LumoPro LP-120 optically slaved, both diffused with shoot-through Umbrellas. For the high key and low key shots, I purchased a background stand and white and black 10' x 20' muslin backdrops.

As for what advice specifically, I really need to know about how I did with my composition, cropping, and lighting. I know that's a bit general, but I really need an overall critique at this stage.

Here are the shots, click for Flickr:

#1: f/2.8, ISO 100, 1/200th shutter @ 34mm. 580EX II high power, left and slightly behind subject, LP-120 subject right and just above eye level, mid power, both through umbrella. White muslin. PP'd for blemishes and to remove wrinkles in the background. Wasn't sure if I should clean the wrinkles in her shadow or not.



So, there you have it. Any and all advice and criticism is welcome!

[TheKingInYellow]

Oops, I didn't realize that I could only post one shot here...

There are three others that can be viewed here: The Photo Rookie: Portrait Pictures!

[dakwegmo]

You've done a good job with the posing and capturing a seemingly genuine smile will probably mean more to her parents than any of the technical details of the image.

As for areas of improvement, the thing that stands out to me first is the framing of the shot. Her body makes this nice S curve, but with her knees cut off my eyes want to go out of the image an not come back. Likewise with her fingers. My eye wants to follow her fingers and because they've been cut off they lead right out of the image. The next thing I noticed was that the highlights on the left side of her face seem to be blown out. If you shot in RAW there may be something there to recover, if not I'd recommend using a lower power setting on the flash. If you're using your LCD to gauge exposure, make sure you either have your highlight warnings turned on, or you're looking at the histogram and you don't have to much falling off the right of the chart. I'd also like to see a little more light on her right eye. You don't need to have the same amount as from the left, but that eye is just a little too dark for me.

[Benji]

Critique on composition. The high camera angle and the leaning forward pose has done several things, none of which are flattering to the subject, and when you flatter the subject she will love you for it and reward you with a nice sale! Note how thick and distended her left shoulder is. This is because she has all of the weight of her upper torso resting on her upper arm and shoulder muscle making it bulge out.

Cropping problems have already been mentioned. As far as how her right arm is posed, it isn't! It is just hanging there looking bad. The high camera angle has exacerbated this also.

Lighting. The main light at camera left rear was too far to the rear of her face and was too powerful. I can tell this for several reasons. First the shadow around her right eye should not be there. The main light should always fully illuminate at least all of one side of her face, and most of the time should also illuminate the opposite upper cheek. Secondly there is no catchlight from the main light in her left eye. Lastly the edge of her face is overexposed.

The spill from the background light has illuminated the left side of her face. This is usually acceptable but only once you learn how to control your lights.

Benji

[TheKingInYellow]

I can see what you mean Benji. I couldn't quite balance the on the camera left, and I did end up blowing out the highlights on her cheek. I'll try to remember to focus more on lighting the face next time.

I was trying to emulate a picture from the Portrait eBook from DPS, but I know I have a long way to go!

[Benji]

Originally Posted by TheKingInYellow

I can see what you mean Benji. I couldn't quite balance the on the camera left, and I did end up blowing out the highlights on her cheek. I'll try to remember to focus more on lighting the face next time.

I was trying to emulate a picture from the Portrait eBook from DPS, but I know I have a long way to go!

I have not seen the portrait ebook yet so I can't comment on it, but I've discovered several things about looking at an image in a book and then doing the same image yourself. First one must study the original very carefully to discover those "little" things that when all added together make a big statement in a portrait. Things like composition, pose, lighting, focus, placement of the hands, feet, hips, arms, eyes. head tilt, how much the head is turned on the neck, the lean of the subject, camera height and focal length of the lens, then we add in the clothing, the background and how it was lit, the key of the image, high key, low key, middle key, and the facial expression of the subject to name just a few things one needs to look at and to look for.

Secondly, did the image maker of the original image know what he was doing? On another site I saw a posting entitled My First Portrait Photography Class. Thinking it was about a new student's experience, I clicked on it and it was about him teaching a class in portraiture. Unfortunately he was an advanced amateur, not a pro and the images were so so at best, so ya gotta be careful!

Benji

[TheKingInYellow]

Agreed, the little things are what I need to work on (as well as the big things). I've been shooting for six months now, and I learn more every day. I'll keep shooting, and I'll get better.

[PS*]

What keeps sticking out to me, is that you've aged the poor girl. She looks to be a young teenager, but the lighting has created hard shadows under her eyes, and some wrinkling as well.

[TheKingInYellow]

Yeah, too strong a light, at a bad angle.

This has been helpful. Thanks.