Feedback on PP

[TBrown00]

I've been away from the forums for a little while (and the camera too unfortunately) and just got back on the forums about a week ago. Too busy with college stuff. Anyway, I did this shoot with my friend while we were both home over break and had a few questions on it. This was the first time I worked with someone on how to pose and my first dedicated attempt at portraits. I posted a thread back in December with a shot of another friend I decided to take while we were on a hike (which was my first actual attempt at a portrait). The shot below of my friend is my second time with portraits. Usually I stick with landscape photography, but would like to start trying portraits more.

Here are my questions:
1. My main question: This is my first time really retouching a portrait. How are the eyes, teeth, and skin? Are they overdone? Need to be processed a little more? How's the color on her face?
2. Are portraits usually sharpened? I haven't applied any sharpening yet. Just some clarity to the irises.
3. Any other areas that should be edited?
4. How is the pose? Is her head tilted too much? Should I have turned her body away from me a little bit to create an angle?
5. Any comments on lighting? It was all natural light. I don't have any lighting equipment. Thus I have to shoot natural light and I feel that lighting is one of my weaker areas. Lighting was an issue with my first portrait attempt back in December on the hike with my friend.
6. Any comments on composition? Anything in the background distracting?
7. Anything else anyone wants to mention - feel free!

I know these are a lot of questions, but I'm my own worst critic. Also, I feel that input from others is necessary to improve. I'd like to start doing more portraits, so any input is welcomed!
Thanks a lot!

Processed using LR 3. I have PS CS3 but didn't use it for this.


EXIF:
Camera: D700
Lens: 70-200 2.8
Shot in aperture priority with the following settings:
Focal length: 116mm
Aperture: f/3.5
Exposure: 1/640
ISO: 640

[MrJones]

wow.. that's a lot of questions but I think you did a great job!
didn't notice any PP work till I've read your questions and the background is lovely.
I might have tried to turn her pose a bit away from the camera but it is also great the way it is.
as for sharpening, I usually sharpen just where it's needed and never ever the skin. the skin needs to be soft and clean and you've achieved it very nicely.

[graciousness]

I personally think this is a great photo. I can't advise on anything else other than that, as I'm a beginner and can only express my appreciation of this photo.

I wouldn't touch anything on PP as I feel that everything is balanced. For your first time in portraiture, you've done a spectacular job. Her face is in focus (and that's what matters most) and it's her face that you look at the first instant you look at the photo.

When that happens, you've done your job.

[dvtldav]

IMO you did an excellent job on this portrait. As stated earlier the background is out of focus which is good but the subject's face is in perfect focus as far as I can tell.
Good job. Keep shooting.

Dave

[SusanH1970]

I think you did a great job on the PP, looks good! As for her pose though, I think I'd have had her lean up against the post and turn her head towards the camera.

[zona5101]

1. My main question: This is my first time really retouching a portrait. How are the eyes, teeth, and skin? Are they overdone? Need to be processed a little more? How's the color on her face?
I think your level of post work is just right. It should look like you haven't done a thing, all natural and this has that look. The eyes are sharp and have a nice catchlight. Your exposure appears spot on. you have details in the shadw and highlights are controlled.

2. Are portraits usually sharpened? I haven't applied any sharpening yet. Just some clarity to the irises.The clarity works for sharpening...but you have a great sharpening tool in LR3. Move the sharpening slider till you get the nice sharp edges, the hold down the option (alt) key and click and drag the masking slider to apply a mask... you'll probably move it up towards 90 to sharpen only eyes and other key edges but leave the skin unsharpened.

3. Any other areas that should be edited?
You could add a slight (slight!) vingette to add a little more focus. Personal preference.

4. How is the pose? Is her head tilted too much? Should I have turned her body away from me a little bit to create an angle? Pose is fine although it presents her in broad light which generally makes the face look fuller. For women we usually want to try and have them look into the light so the face is then short lit from the camera perspective.


5. Any comments on lighting? It was all natural light. I don't have any lighting equipment. Thus I have to shoot natural light and I feel that lighting is one of my weaker areas. Lighting was an issue with my first portrait attempt back in December on the hike with my friend.
Lighting is nice, just a hint of shadow on the face does a nice job of giving the shot a sense of depth and texture. Overall the lighting is a tad bit flat but the catchlight in the eyes (and the slight shadow) is the saving element

6. Any comments on composition? Anything in the background distracting?
background is fine, nice work in keeping the background out of focus

7. Anything else anyone wants to mention - feel free!
Nice work!

[scootermcq]

As everyone has pointed out, it is a lovely image....

On the PP the teeth seem a little too white. In this day in age, it is hard to tell, as some people (think dog whisperer dude) have light houses for teeth and their natural is un-natural.

Besides that, I think your edits are perfect.

[dvtldav]

After looking at this for a second time I am wondering would this look better in portrait mode? Maybe someone that does more portrait photography experience can better answer this.
Dave

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by dvtldav

After looking at this for a second time I am wondering would this look better in portrait mode? Maybe someone that does more portrait photography experience can better answer this.
Dave

Good point. Compositionally that would have been better - cut off at the bustline is a little awkward.

[TBrown00]

Thanks to everyone for your comments and taking the time to look!

Originally Posted by scootermcq

On the PP the teeth seem a little too white. In this day in age, it is hard to tell, as some people (think dog whisperer dude) have light houses for teeth and their natural is un-natural.

Originally Posted by zona5101

The clarity works for sharpening...but you have a great sharpening tool in LR3. Move the sharpening slider till you get the nice sharp edges, the hold down the option (alt) key and click and drag the masking slider to apply a mask... you'll probably move it up towards 90 to sharpen only eyes and other key edges but leave the skin unsharpened.

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

...cut off at the bustline is a little awkward.

I cropped the photo a little tighter, reduced the brightness of the teeth and used zona's sharpening suggestion. How does this look?

Originally Posted by dvtldav

After looking at this for a second time I am wondering would this look better in portrait mode?

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Good point. Compositionally that would have been better - cut off at the bustline is a little awkward.

Ask and you shall receive...

Originally Posted by zona5101

5. Any comments on lighting? It was all natural light. I don't have any lighting equipment. Thus I have to shoot natural light and I feel that lighting is one of my weaker areas. Lighting was an issue with my first portrait attempt back in December on the hike with my friend.
Lighting is nice, just a hint of shadow on the face does a nice job of giving the shot a sense of depth and texture. Overall the lighting is a tad bit flat but the catchlight in the eyes (and the slight shadow) is the saving element

Thanks. Any way to make the lighting less "flat" when using natural light? Should I have the light hit the subject from a certain angle? These were taken at 2:22pm on a cloudy day, so the clouds acted as a giant softbox. Usually I prefer to not shoot around this time of day.