First portrait shoot.

[lusodoll]

OK, this is from a Pin Up shoot, my first. It was my first time really trying to use lighting and work with models so...let me have it.

Exposure 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 47 mm
ISO Speed 400

Let me know if you need any other info.

[Niresangwa]

Firstly, if this was an experiment in lighting, you did quite well. It's not dynamic, or mood-bending, but it is solid and exposure is ok (maybe erring on the side of underexposure on my monitor).

Though you managed to get the catch lights, the hair itself is missing some texture and looks a little dull, (which is i think is a product of being outside of the focused field), but ultimately it's a big patch of darkness which will pull the eye. Other than that, I like the skin tone.

The main problems to me are associated with the framing and composition. It's not comfortable for me to look at, and I feel like it needs more context to make the inverted pose work... with no limbs, it reduces the effectiveness. The rogue fingers on the right side, for me, are also problematic.

Ultimately, I think the close crop is an issue (though I usually enjoy very close crops) this one falls between. Centering the model works well when I've seen these shots before, so you're on the right track, if thats what you really want.

Were I framing this, and sticking with the notion that I didnt want limbs or more dead space, I would have shifted the frame to remove area on the left (move the model's face towards the left) and get more of her hand in the frame.

[lusodoll]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

Firstly, if this was an experiment in lighting, you did quite well. It's not dynamic, or mood-bending, but it is solid and exposure is ok (maybe erring on the side of underexposure on my monitor).

Though you managed to get the catch lights, the hair itself is missing some texture and looks a little dull, (which is i think is a product of being outside of the focused field), but ultimately it's a big patch of darkness which will pull the eye. Other than that, I like the skin tone.

The main problems to me are associated with the framing and composition. It's not comfortable for me to look at, and I feel like it needs more context to make the inverted pose work... with no limbs, it reduces the effectiveness. The rogue fingers on the right side, for me, are also problematic.

Ultimately, I think the close crop is an issue (though I usually enjoy very close crops) this one falls between. Centering the model works well when I've seen these shots before, so you're on the right track, if thats what you really want.

Were I framing this, and sticking with the notion that I didnt want limbs or more dead space, I would have shifted the frame to remove area on the left (move the model's face towards the left) and get more of her hand in the frame.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is most helpful. It so great to get someone else perspective.

I totally get what you are saying about it being "uncomfortable" and how adding more context, limbs, will help in the future. I also see what you mean about the fingers. They seem to come out of nowhere. I will def consider repositioning the shot a bit next time.

In regards to the hair, do you think pulling back on the crop would help with that or would it be more a question of settings? Sorry for such a novice question. But this really helps.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by lusodoll

In regards to the hair, do you think pulling back on the crop would help with that or would it be more a question of settings? Sorry for such a novice question. But this really helps.

I think that by widening the crop and showing more of her body, (arms, legs etc) it will take care of the hair... right now it's one of the three main components (hair, face, chest) that adds the least. Once it's minimized in it's contribution, it won't seem quite as overbearing.

If you want to make a feature of it, it will have to be in focus, and be neat, and be lit at least close to the standard of the rest of the features.

Not sure what your focal length for the shot was, but that will play into the DoF. Obviously, to deepen the DoF you'll have to close down the aperture, which will demand changes in shutter speed/ISO or increase the power of your lighting.

I've seen many boudoir style images that make wonderful use of a shallow DoF, so don't get me wrong. Personally I rarely shoot stopped down beyond f8 in any of my work. I'm simply pointing out that the focus issue would be solved that way, if you chose to do it.

In my experience, I always frame the shot knowing I'm going to crop back down to what I'm trying to shoot, precisely because of situations like this, because you never really know how it's going to look til you get it off of the camera...

[lusodoll]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I think that by widening the crop and showing more of her body, (arms, legs etc) it will take care of the hair... right now it's one of the three main components (hair, face, chest) that adds the least. Once it's minimized in it's contribution, it won't seem quite as overbearing.

If you want to make a feature of it, it will have to be in focus, and be neat, and be lit at least close to the standard of the rest of the features.

Not sure what your focal length for the shot was, but that will play into the DoF. Obviously, to deepen the DoF you'll have to close down the aperture, which will demand changes in shutter speed/ISO or increase the power of your lighting.

I've seen many boudoir style images that make wonderful use of a shallow DoF, so don't get me wrong. Personally I rarely shoot stopped down beyond f8 in any of my work. I'm simply pointing out that the focus issue would be solved that way, if you chose to do it.

In my experience, I always frame the shot knowing I'm going to crop back down to what I'm trying to shoot, precisely because of situations like this, because you never really know how it's going to look til you get it off of the camera...

That's great. Thanks.

You make a really good point about framing the shot knowing you can crop it down later.

Thanks again for the critique, this was very helpful!

[zona5101]

top notch feedback steve!

[NewGirl13]

I agree with the discussion about the crop. I'd like to see more of the model and perhaps even the skin tone a bit? It seems a bit red around her shoulders. I'd like to see the eyes pop a little more too.