What’s Your Preference?

sk66 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 05:44 PM

I don't usually take people pics at least not posed with lighting etc. But I have suitable gear and it's something I want to get better at.
My wife did my daughter's hair. My daughter was thrilled with it and I thought it would make an interesting pic....so here was an opportunity.
I used three flash units: SB800 on camera with plastic diffuser, SB 600 held by my 10yr old camera left and pointed at the wall for separation, and a second SB600 in a softbox camera right. all were set at zero compensation, the different intensities were set by the amount of diffusion.
D3 in aperture priority with a Tokina ATX-Pro 28-80 f/2.8. Shooting distance was about 4-5 ft.
I took about 10 pics and I think this was the best of them. I did a bit of editing, some work to bump the intensity of her left eye (rt in the pic), a gaussian blur layer and a little touch up for blemishes...
Overall I'm pretty happy with it, but I'm a bit unsure if it couldn't be quite a bit better. I feel like the DOF falls off a bit too quickly and the lighting (especially the background) could be better. I'm also not sure if I didn't overdo the blur/glamour layer a bit. What do you think, and how might I improve it?

Camera Nikon D3
Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 75 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Return detected

SusanH1970 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 05:57 PM

Agreed that the DOF is a bit too shallow - I'd have liked to see both eyes and all of her hair in focus. When I shoot studio, I rarely shoot wider than f/5.6, usually around f/8. The skin smoothing is just a tad overdone, IMO. Pull back on it just a little and you're good to go.

LOVE her hair and expression! Exposure and white balance look fantastic.

Saralonde · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 06:09 PM

Love the focus on her eye. The angle of her hair and glasses lead you right to it. The shallow dof doesn't bother me too much, kind of on the borderline, but closing down the aperture would probably be better.

You have a great model there; she definitely shows some personality!

kirbinster · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 06:14 PM

I agree, f/2.8 was a bit too wide open and the photo is a little too soft. But not bad for someone that does not do people. I always tell people that I really don't like to take pictures of "things with Thumbs"!

sk66 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 06:54 PM

Thanks All.
I tend to overdo the softening thing..not sure why. It always seems "right" when I'm editing, but then looks overdone...I'll have to learn to tone it down.

I used f/2.8 intentionally wanting the background to diffuse, but I didn't take into consideration the short working distance; I know better. I guess I should-a "chimped" a bit harder, I always have a hard time really seeing DOF thru the viewfinder. I know how it works, but I just can't see it the way it is captured.

I'll probably try to re-edit and repost...I'm at work and have some free time

PROFusioNZ · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 09:34 PM

sk66,

great shot! Technically, everything looks great. I don't see what's wrong with shallow depth of field for portrait shots. Only thing is, that it looks like the right eye is a bit out of focus? Otherwise the blur doesn't bother me.

Would love to see you do a full themed shot with your daughter - she looks like a natural and that hair is just too good to pass up on!

sk66 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PROFusioNZ

sk66,

great shot! Technically, everything looks great. I don't see what's wrong with shallow depth of field for portrait shots. Only thing is, that it looks like the right eye is a bit out of focus? Otherwise the blur doesn't bother me.

Would love to see you do a full themed shot with your daughter - she looks like a natural and that hair is just too good to pass up on!

Thanks,
The rt eye (her left) is in focus...The biggest issue was/is probably the application of a blur layer and not removing enough of it.

Here is another edit which I feel is better....DOF is increased (erased more of the blur layer)
which actually shows that the DOF isn't really the issue as much as point of focus. While the eye is in focus my 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind the focus point DOF seems to be a bit too far forward for optimum, but pretty close.

It is amazing how minor changes can make a large difference.

Niresangwa · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 02:33 AM

it definitely looks sharper, but it lost something for me. I think while the jacket & face look better in edit #2, I preferred the hair in edit #1. awkward suggestion I know.

either way, you really ought to shoot more things 'with thumbs'. great image.