Musician promo shots

[DayDreamer]

Hi All ~

I am trying to learn how to shoot outdoor portraits and applied some of the things I have learned on this site, and from various other sources, to the photos I shot today. It was my first time with a model (step-daughter) and an assistant (my husband). It was also the first time I have used a reflector and a diffuser. The sun was still very high - not the time of day I would have chosen to shoot, but we had limited time together.

Anyway, I am looking for feedback on what is good and what needs work in these. I am having trouble differentiating between good and/or interesting and "could have been good if only..." and "belongs in the recycle bin on my computer."

I think this is my favorite from the bunch:



It was taken at a funky ice house in downtown San Antonio - outdoor patio covered with a corrugated metal roof.

Camera Nikon D40
Exposure 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 55.0 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

But here is a link to the set on Flickr to view some of the others. I would be grateful for any constructive comments, tips or advice.

Thanks!

[RLucas]

This is purely my opinion, based on my preferences, which really have no artistic merit whatsoever. That being said, the only thing that really stands out to me, is the crops.
The one posted above, the crop is just too tight in my opinion. Her pick hand being cut off doesn't bother me too much, but the neck of her guitar and her fret hand being completely out of the frame does. I look at an instrument as an extension of the person holding it, and in this image, most of it is cut out. You had a really good idea shooting from above, and I like the perspective. The crop just kills it for me.

I think you were really on to something with this one.
I really like the composition of this shot the best. I still would crop just a little more loose, as to get her boots in to the frame. It is a little overexposed, which I don't mind too much, but you should be able to correct for most of it if you shot in RAW.

I thought this one was going to be my absolute favorite when I saw the thumbnail, but it is out of focus. It looks like the focus fell primarily on her pick hand, instead of her eyes, which usually are the most important aspect of a portrait. The exposure is good, and the lighting is not flat. There is nice depth there. The crop is also just a little tight.

Overall you have some pretty good images in the set. I really liked a couple of the head shots, but from a promo standpoint, I just don't know?

I hope this helps, and didn't come across too harsh. She is a lovely girl. I dig that 12 string too!

[DayDreamer]

Originally Posted by RLucas

This is purely my opinion, based on my preferences, which really have no artistic merit whatsoever. That being said, the only thing that really stands out to me, is the crops.
The one posted above, the crop is just too tight in my opinion. Her pick hand being cut off doesn't bother me too much, but the neck of her guitar and her fret hand being completely out of the frame does. I look at an instrument as an extension of the person holding it, and in this image, most of it is cut out. You had a really good idea shooting from above, and I like the perspective. The crop just kills it for me.

I thought this one was going to be my absolute favorite when I saw the thumbnail, but it is out of focus. It looks like the focus fell primarily on her pick hand, instead of her eyes, which usually are the most important aspect of a portrait. The exposure is good, and the lighting is not flat. There is nice depth there. The crop is also just a little tight.

Overall you have some pretty good images in the set. I really liked a couple of the head shots, but from a promo standpoint, I just don't know?

I hope this helps, and didn't come across too harsh. She is a lovely girl. I dig that 12 string too!

Not harsh at all. Thanks for the feedback. I, too, was disappointed when I opened the one you mentioned and saw the focus issue. I really liked it otherwise. I was focusing manually at the time and I guess one of us moved a smidge and I didn't catch it. But I appreciate your thoughts on the rest of it.

Perhaps "promo" was not the right sentiment. It was mainly me shooting for practice and wanting some sort of internal direction when setting up the shots. Molly is a great musician and I thought that the guitars would be comfortable props for her. Ultimately, I wanted good shots of her. Focusing on her face and the lighting. When I got too far back, I kept feeling like I was losing her as the main subject through the lens. Sometimes getting the whole guitar in meant I couldn't see her as much as I wanted.

I agree that there were some hand/feet issues as well.

By the way, the 10-string is a Bajo Quinto.