TRC - Portrait in the forest

[sparda79]

I don't do a lot of portraits, mainly because I just bad at it, and it's difficult to find voluntary models. LOL...

However a couple of weeks ago, I asked Zue, my fiancée to be my model.
This shot was taken with the flash on the right side of the frame.
How's the composition. Is the background too distracting? I'm also trying out various PP techniques. Any opinion that?



More shots of the session in my blog:-
Tingkap Vistaku: Taman Rimba Commonwealth

Camera: Canon EOS 1000D
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired (Off-camera using Canon ST-E2)
Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM


Sparda

[mpc92]

I'm just getting started, but for me the differences in the lighting between the subject and background is a bit distracting. Pehaps increasing the exposure for the background to bring it in line.

I like the black and white shot on your blog as the best in the set.

Matt

[suprspi]

I like the BW on your blog and the one with the sun above her.

This one needs a less busy background, or um, a less bright background. I get distracted by the bright plants behind her. Also, her legs disappear and her feet peek out. It's cute but I'd like to see the exposure on your model more even.

Great shots though, and beautiful model and scenery. She has a very photogenic happy face - she doesn't do pensive as well, and maybe that's one of the distracting things with this shot, and why I like the others on your blog better.

[LoveDSLR]

My two cents.

It lacks attention to details. You must scan the background to avoid the tree behind her (marked by a cross).

Our eyes stay at the brightest part of a photo (areas in red), thus competing with the subject.

Since you are using f/7.1 instead of shallow DOF with f/2.8, you need composition, complementary colors (marked by blue arrows), exposure and leading lines to bring the subject out from the distracting background.

Here's a sample crop using Golden Spiral.



BTW, you already knew all these since you had avoided the above issues with the first photo on your blog.

[suprspi]

@ loveDSLR - I love your critique. Awesome job - feel free to do my photos anytime.

[FoG]

I think DSLR got the bases covered here but nice shot nonetheless.. well done your fiance for modelling matey mine runs off !

[sparda79]

Originally Posted by mpc92

I'm just getting started, but for me the differences in the lighting between the subject and background is a bit distracting. Pehaps increasing the exposure for the background to bring it in line.

I like the black and white shot on your blog as the best in the set.

Matt

Thanks for your opinion Matt.

Originally Posted by suprspi

I like the BW on your blog and the one with the sun above her.

This one needs a less busy background, or um, a less bright background. I get distracted by the bright plants behind her. Also, her legs disappear and her feet peek out. It's cute but I'd like to see the exposure on your model more even.

Great shots though, and beautiful model and scenery. She has a very photogenic happy face - she doesn't do pensive as well, and maybe that's one of the distracting things with this shot, and why I like the others on your blog better.

Thank you... I didn't notice the disappearing leg part. I'll keep that in mind.
Yeah. She has a beautiful smile and I agree with you about 'doesn't do pensive well' part.

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

My two cents.

It lacks attention to details. You must scan the background to avoid the tree behind her (marked by a cross).

Our eyes stay at the brightest part of a photo (areas in red), thus competing with the subject.

Since you are using f/7.1 instead of shallow DOF with f/2.8, you need composition, complementary colors (marked by blue arrows), exposure and leading lines to bring the subject out from the distracting background.

Here's a sample crop using Golden Spiral.



BTW, you already knew all these since you had avoided the above issues with the first photo on your blog.

These are very helpful. You're right. I really do need to put more attention to details. Most of the time, I'm too focused on just one thing, for example, for these shots, getting a proper flash exposure.
I like the result of the PP. But, its probably doesn't suit this particular shot.

Thanks so much LoveDSLR. Next time I post to critique section, I hope you give your opinion there too.

Originally Posted by FoG

I think DSLR got the bases covered here but nice shot nonetheless.. well done your fiance for modelling matey mine runs off !

Thanks anyway FOG. She a very supportive gal. Just a note, these shots were taken on her birthday.

Sparda