Saturday Afternoon Portrait

[Laurapalazz]

Does this work with the woman's face in shadow? How about the styling? Any comments appreciated.

Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 55 mm
Focal Length: 55.0 mm
ISO Speed: 125
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Thanks
Laura

[SusanH1970]

The woman being so underexposed by the shadow is not really working for me - and the fact that it's just her face in the shadows, but below the shoulders she's well lit. I first saw the horse (which was captured quite nicely, btw) and then upon a second look noticed the woman. It's hard to see any detail in her face and the dappled sunlight coming through the holes in her hat is a bit distracting. I'm not crazy about the black framing, I find it also distracting.

Keep shooting! I recently did a session with a client and her horse so I do understand the challenges!

[Jerry.Hammond]

I'm not sure I totally agree with Susan's assessment (sorry Susan). I like how the light speckles across your subjects face and think it works on its own. I think what blows the shot--yes, it is a blown shot (sorry)--is the horse is too bright/light for the main subject of the shot. Or maybe, now that I think about it a bit further, it isn't so much the horse is too bright/light or the woman is too dark per se, it is the two main subjects of your shot are just that, two main subjects. They are too far apart in color/lightness/and exposure to make them one complimentary subject.

Ok, I've yammered on long enough. Find a chesnut colored horse and I think you have your shot. Good luck and good shooting.

[Laurapalazz]

Thanks for the comments, something did not feel quite right which is why I asked for the critique. I agree, I do like the dappled light through the hat, but I totally agree the subjects don't seem to go together because they are too extreme in light values. It was a totally spur of the moment shot, had camera in hand was talking to my friend and just snapped the shot. I will have her borrow my bay horse and try to reshoot

[SusanH1970]

No need to use a darker colored horse. You just need to find the right light. It appears this was shot in bright sunlight, hence the heavy shadowing on the woman. Try shooting in open shade - you'll find it makes a world of difference.