Need C&C please!

[free2beme]

I am still a new photographer, learning new things still and trying to master my skills So please share your thoughts and advice on this photo Thanks!




Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T1i
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 218 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[irishmuth]

You're going to be asked to post your EXIF - not just because it's one of the board rules, but mostly because it helps with feedback. For example, this looks a bit "soft" but I can't tell if it's a focus issue of a camer shake issue due to a slow shutter speed.

[natek313]

As Mike pointed out, the photo looks a little soft. Posting your EXIF information will definitely help in determining what most likely was the cause.

His face looks a little red/orange on my monitor. I would see about toning it down a little to make it look more natural. I'm not fond of his right arm (relative to him) being chopped off like it is. It almost looks like he was doing something with that arm as well, but it's not in the frame. Just something I noticed.

I like the concept of this photo, though. The bokeh is great, and the composition is good.

[free2beme]

Originally Posted by irishmuth

You're going to be asked to post your EXIF - not just because it's one of the board rules, but mostly because it helps with feedback. For example, this looks a bit "soft" but I can't tell if it's a focus issue of a camer shake issue due to a slow shutter speed.

Hey! Thanks for telling me this! Ha I didn't know that was required I am so sorry, but what is EXIF?? I have no idea but would love to learn or know that!!!

[free2beme]

Oh is this EXIF?
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T1i
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 218 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired


Hope this helps out.

[free2beme]

Originally Posted by natek313

As Mike pointed out, the photo looks a little soft. Posting your EXIF information will definitely help in determining what most likely was the cause.

His face looks a little red/orange on my monitor. I would see about toning it down a little to make it look more natural. I'm not fond of his right arm (relative to him) being chopped off like it is. It almost looks like he was doing something with that arm as well, but it's not in the frame. Just something I noticed.

I like the concept of this photo, though. The bokeh is great, and the composition is good.

Thanks! Your right about the arm I didn't even think nothing about that until you pointed it out

[~AJ~]

I'm still very new to all this photography stuff, so your photo is MUCH clearer than what I'm currently taking! But (& this is JMO) the light behind him is a bit distracting for me..... I think only because there is the gap in between the trees, and it's quite big, right in the centre of the pic....

But, as I said - it's just my opinion and it's still a better photo than what I'm taking at the moment LOL!

[LeeR]

It's not bad. You have avoided the tired cliche's so common to portratiure and worked to create something that will reveal something of your model's personality. The pose is natural and relaxed giving the entire image a feeling of true-to-life honesty. But I suspect you are hoping for something much better than "not bad" so let me see if I can help.
First, become a master of balancing natural light with flash. Most of the time you are going to want the natural light to be your main light and flash to provide fill (The opposite of what you have here.)
Second, don't be afraid to use reflectors. There are handy inexpensive portable options that can make you look like a hero.
Third, study how light from different angles effects the face. You can find some great info on this at David Ziser's site.
Fourth, watch your background. You have a streak of light area running vertically behind your subject that hurts you compositionally and distracts from where you want our eyes to go.
That being said, let me repeat; I like the direction you are headed but if you want go from good to great you are going to have to master some new areas of the craft.

[SaraJane]

Yeah, I agree that the skin tone is a bit red.

[oldwolf]

The composition is nice. I'm not too fond of his face being so red. It also looks like you post processed his face and body one way but left his arm closer to the way normal or SOOC. Not sure if that was intentional or if that was how the light fell on him.

The light behind him could be toned down a bit but it's not too distracting because his face is framed nice enough with it.