Portrait while hiking.

[Camdixon]

Hello there.

Here is my first portrait submission, and I would like any suggestions as to how I could improve this. What would you change?

Settings:
Digital Rebel
50mm
2.8 (it does go down to 1.8, but didn't use it)
ISO: 100

Flickr link (Click Here)

[RLucas]

First off, it's a pretty decent candid to start. I like the composition.
It looks like it was a little overcast that day, giving you some flat lighting, which in this case is not too bad, and can be corrected in post by making a contrast layer.

The only other thing I see wrong with it, is the color cast. At least on my monitor, it looks a little cool. Are you shooting in RAW? If not, this particular image can probably corrected fairly well with a white point adjustment.

Also, this is just my personal preference, but I tend to gravitate toward less saturated and muted tones. Sometimes you can cheat with color cast issues by bumping back the saturation just a tad.
Overall I would still say this is a very nice first effort. It seems like you really thought this shot out before you fired.

I have edited a copy of this image, if you would like me to throw it up here, I will.

[BigFuzzy]

Hiya Camdixon,

For the most part, I agree with RLucas (Luke) above with just a couple of comments to add:

Doesn't feel too saturated to me, but, stylistically, I'd probably go with something more muted as well though there's nothing wrong with it now.

The light plays well on her face and creates some good shadows and depth. She seems relaxed which is a compliment to your skills. I like your use of bokeh (Depth of Field) which blurred out the background. Contrast seems ok to me though I do like high contrast (but not saying you need it, just a preference thing).

The two things I'd change are, firstly, if this was a planned portrait, and not just a quick snap, make her drop her backpack, only a bit distracting, but (to me) totally unneeded. If you were trying to show the whole hiking thing, then you probably should have shown more of it and her environment that said more about "hiking", but as it stands, I would have had her take it off.

Secondly, this is a perfectly good portrait as I said above, nothing wrong with it. But one question I always ask myself, is "Is it different? Does it stand out from other in any way?" and, to me, this doesn't. It's not really going to stand out if put in a pile of other similar portraits. How to do it.. a few quick suggestions: Change perspective such as get lower or higher. Process the colors differently (ie crossprocessing). Have her not smiling.. yes, that's what most people want.. but her with a straight face (not necessarily stern, just relaxed) adds a whole new element to images in my opinion because it forces your mind to process it differently since we're so used to seeing people smiling..

In the end, a fine portrait, nothing really wrong with it, but it doesn't jump out at me either. She'll be happy with it for sure as she should be. Well done.

My two eurocents!

[Camdixon]

Thank you all for your comments. I see most of your comments are about post processing.
This was shot in JPEG instead of RAW, and I currently haven't done any post processing.
I took my camera with me when we went hiking, and she actually wasn't suspecting this shot. I said something, she turned around and I fired (that's the reason she had the backpack on).

Regarding the processing, If I were to process this you said maybe tap the saturation down some. I didn't see it as a problem, but I also don't think it would hurt the image at all. I might try that.

I agree with you, the colors are cool colors instead of warm. How would you do something like a "white point" adjustment in PS? I'm curious because I'm not sure how to go about doing that.

By the way, I really appreciate the comments because they help me improve

[RLucas]

Yeah, the saturation thing. I have found that any time i mess around with the contrast of an image, it tends to get too saturated. You have a lot of green in this image, which for me, for some reason, I have more of a problem with than reds. Or my monitor just needs tweaking. One of the two.

On to the white point thing. In PS, there should be a levels dialogue box somewhere in there. I am a GIMP user, and know nothing about PS. Anyway, there should be 3 dropper tools in that box. (they look like eye droppers). One for white, one for gray, and one for black. Click on the one for white, and place it over somewhere on the image that you know should be white, and click on it. This should automatically correct the color balance across the whole image. Try to stay away from using it on the whites of eyes or teeth. It will make them look unnatural.

[SusanH1970]

Honestly, for a SOOC, I think this is pretty darn near perfect. The white balance looks fine, as does the exposure. I wouldn't touch anything contrast or color-wise. I love the way the light is hitting her and the catchlights are pretty! The only thing I notice is a green color cast from all the foliage on her skin (which is bound to happen - I get it all the time). There are ways of fixing this in photoshop. I found a tutorial but I've yet to master it or I'd have a play, lol.

Just watch your backgrounds when shooting - she has a tree growing out of her head.

Good job!

[RLucas]

Here is the edit I did just to give you and idea of what I was talking about. It was just a quick contrast mask adjustment, and a slight desaturation. Like I said. I am always aware of more green in images than anything else. But this is just MY opinion on how I would interpret the look of this image.
I will take it down if you wish.