Portraits - critique greatly appreciated

[CarlyG]

I am a relatively new photographer, and even newer to portrait photography. I have been reading as much into it as I can, but would still greatly appreciate feedback. Did I capture the subject well? Is there an element of interest to it? Would it have been more dynamic from another angle? Is it too desaturated?

If possible, I would also appreciate critique on my other portraits: http://digital-photography-school.co...portraits.html
Thank you very much!

~Carly

[Flea77]

On #1 I would have moved the subject to the left of the frame so he is looking at something besides the edge, #2 is nice but you cut off her toes, crop a little more to at least get about half way up her leg, #3 is ok but it really doesn't do much for me.

Allan

[CarlyG]

Thanks, all understandable points. I appreciate the feedback!

[bmayfield]

I really like the one with the man and tree silhouette.

[Benji]

IMHO portraiture is the most difficult field in photography. After one masters the mechanics of the camera with all the buttons, dials, settings, controls, menus etc, they must also learn how to stop thinking with their normal brain when they pick the camera up and begin thinking with their photographic brain. After that we need to get proper white balance in the conditions presented to us, how do we get proper exposure, what lens should we use, what ISO is best for the conditions, where should the image be cropped and how to pose the subject. Then on top of that we must learn lighting. How to light the subject to flatter them and not make them look (fill in the blank) fat, old, wrinkly, dowdy, short, tall, thin, geeky, etc. How to light the background. How to light the hair. What is a fill light and when should one be used. What is a kicker light? A main light? Can we use sunshine? How about "garage lights?" There are a thousand questions with ten thousand answers.

Benji

[ML Photography]

Originally Posted by Benji

IMHO portraiture is the most difficult field in photography. After one masters the mechanics of the camera with all the buttons, dials, settings, controls, menus etc, they must also learn how to stop thinking with their normal brain when they pick the camera up and begin thinking with their photographic brain. After that we need to get proper white balance in the conditions presented to us, how do we get proper exposure, what lens should we use, what ISO is best for the conditions, where should the image be cropped and how to pose the subject. Then on top of that we must learn lighting. How to light the subject to flatter them and not make them look (fill in the blank) fat, old, wrinkly, dowdy, short, tall, thin, geeky, etc. How to light the background. How to light the hair. What is a fill light and when should one be used. What is a kicker light? A main light? Can we use sunshine? How about "garage lights?" There are a thousand questions with ten thousand answers.

Benji

I absolutely agree. Plus, the subject must be the SUBJECT in the frame, together with his/her emotions. Never forget to talk to your model, set her at ease and find the way to show what of her you can't see just "looking at her". I don't know if I made myself clear...

All this is IMHO of course...

[CarlyG]

Very true. I use a point and shoot, and even with the extremely limited options there are tons of choices to make in order to bring the photograph to it's full potential. I've got a lot to learn...

[CarlyG]

Thank you!