Boxer

[joe_r]

I am not a portrait photographer, but I'd like to get into it a bit more so I am looking for feedback on what I did well and what I could do better. This picture is a self portrait that I took for a photo assignment for one of the groups I participate in. I had just finished with a training session and set up my camera in my basement to take a few shots.

I was looking for a tough, gritty view without looking overdone. I used a Canon Rebel XT and a Canon 420 EX mounted on camera. Shot at 1/200s, f/8, ISO 200, and exposure bias -2/3 stop (accidentally set from last time).

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[BigFuzzy]

Heya Joe_R,

The black & white conversion was well done with good contrast which helps this image.

This image feels as if it could have been perfectly centered (yes breaking some of the "rules") but maybe I'm being picky there.

Is that a black sheet/material background I see? Maybe it's my monitor, but if not, ensure that your background isn't visible, especially when it's just a sheet hanging, it makes it feel a bit amateurish which none of us are looking for regardless of the fact we are amateurs haha.

If possible, I would suggest using a less flattening lighting by getting the flash off from a 'straight on' position. This would create more depth to the image.

I know I'm sounding a bit harsh, but I don't mean to be, it's a fine image in the end, but just thought there were some small things that could/would have made it better.

Keep shooting, this is definitely a step in the right direction!

[joe_r]

BigFuzzy,

Not harsh at all, thanks for the feedback.

It is a sheet in the back. That bothers me that you can see it. After reading this, I opened the image, turned the brightness up all the way and tilted the screen towards me, and was able to see the wrinkles. That's the only way I can see it. I'll have to go back and fix that.

Right now, I don't have a way of getting the flash off-camera. Hopefully the strobist kit at MPEX will be back in stock soon, I just discovered the strobist web site and want to learn more.

Thanks!