First portrait with new camera. Feedback please.

[Photologyst]

I was digging through some old photos, trying to finally get everything as organized as possible, and found this portrait, one of the first that I took with my then new Nikon D300.




It was taken while we were all chatting in a shop. Chef Bob was sitting next to a window where the light was very nice. I asked him if I could take his photo because he was so striking. It was all very fast. Just got a few shots. This was the best one. Little time to adjust the camera. Unfortunately, it wasn’t taken in RAW.

1/60 sec @ f/5.0
Exposure bias: -2 1/3 EV
Aperture priority
Spot metered
ISO 200
Focal length 62 mm

I’ve done some adjustments in LR and PS. Any suggestions as to how to make chef Bob’s portrait the best that it can be?

I want to emphasize that I am not a portrait photographer. So any constructive criticism would be very much appreciated.

Black and white here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/photologyst/5047177227/

[KUlmer]

I love faces with personality, and he certainly has one. I do wish that the darker side of his face was lit a little better. I'm still learning about lighting, but in this case, I imagine a reflector would have worked great. Or turning him so that his face is a little more lit by the window so the light could wrap around more. As it is all the detail on that side of his face are almost lost to the shadows while the rest of the picture seems to be well lit. That really works in low key photography, but seems out of place to me in a situation where everything else is well lit. It also may have helped to use a different metering mode.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by KUlmer

I love faces with personality, and he certainly has one. I do wish that the darker side of his face was lit a little better. I'm still learning about lighting, but in this case, I imagine a reflector would have worked great. Or turning him so that his face is a little more lit by the window so the light could wrap around more. As it is all the detail on that side of his face are almost lost to the shadows while the rest of the picture seems to be well lit. That really works in low key photography, but seems out of place to me in a situation where everything else is well lit. It also may have helped to use a different metering mode.

Thanks for the feedback.

I played with lighting the face in PS processing and will do more. However, I like the dramatic half face. I realize it isn’t quite there yet.

As for different metering modes or turning the man, as I said, it was so fast, I just shot and hoped for the best.

[RLucas]

I am a big fan of portraits like this. The shadows to me, add more depth, and tell more of a story of who the person is. Don't know if it's a yin/yang, light/dark, or whatever your perception is, that is how I take it. I do like the fact that there are catchlights in both of his eyes. It adds to the dynamics across his face, as it is not completely lost in shadow. (More story for me, anyway).

For me, the only nitpick i have about this image is the reds being a little too saturated for my taste. His toque and scarf draw my eye immediately, instead of his eyes, which is a little distracting.
You may want to try duplicating the layer, and desaturating based on luminocity values, then change the blend mode to screen. Adjust the opacity to taste, and see what you have.
Even then, you could create a mask and paint everything else but the toque and scarf back in.

Other than that I think it is really nice, and tells quite a story!

[BK553]

Sometimes there is nothing you can do within the camera to even out lighting. If you like doing portraits, you may want to consider a 5in1 reflector. They are only around 20 bucks on amazon, and will help fill the other side of the face with light. They work really, really well.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by BK553

Sometimes there is nothing you can do within the camera to even out lighting. If you like doing portraits, you may want to consider a 5in1 reflector. They are only around 20 bucks on amazon, and will help fill the other side of the face with light. They work really, really well.

The thing is that I was in a shop as a customer, while he was visiting with the staff. There was no way to use a reflector. It was completely impromptu. I was lucky to get any shots. I did not want the other side of the face filled with light. That would have been ordinary.

I would love to do more portraits and will put some equipment on my wish list.

[Photologyst]

Thanks, Luke.

I know what you mean about the toque and scarf. However, those really were very bright against the light shirt and the dark skin.

I shall try desaturating a bit and focusing more on the eyes. Chef Bob has red in the whites of his eyes that I also did not remove.

[PhotoshopPrincess]

i like theshadow to the camera left

great pic.... love the red in this photo too

(:

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by PhotoshopPrincess

i like theshadow to the camera left

great pic.... love the red in this photo too

(:

Thanks very much!

That is what I thought would “make” this photo—the red vs. the light shirt and the dark skin.

I too love the shadows.

He was such a nice man; It was just a pleasure to take the photo.