A portrait of my wife

[lerabu]

Hi all!

So it was finally a nice day and we took off to the beach, of course the camera was in the bag waiting to go trigger happy!

I am looking for feedback on:

1) Composition
2) Colouring
3) Postprocessing on the skin, eyes and teeth

This is a favourite of my missus so I wanna be sure I have it right before I go off to print it!

EXIF
Camera Nikon D80
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture f/5.0
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Flash No Flash
Aperture priority

[kevingeary]

I will make three comments on this picture:

1. What really makes portraits pop is light in the eyes. Unfortunately, that wasn't achieved here. When the eyes aren't properly lit, it's very hard for the viewer to make the connection you want them to make with the subject.

2. The brain needs a frame of reference for the pose. We can tell she's looking back over her shoulder but because the neck is hidden and the crop is so close you've effectively separated her head from her body, which begins to look unnatural and less flattering.

3. The bright pink shirt draws attention away from the face; something you want to avoid.

[goldt3]

I really love the reflection of the sky that you get in the lenses of the glasses!

It appears that the color was altered in PP, the pink shirt looks strange around the sleeve. Try to get the color of the shirt back to the natural color and it may be less distracting than it is now.

[lerabu]

Originally Posted by kevingeary

I will make three comments on this picture:

1. What really makes portraits pop is light in the eyes. Unfortunately, that wasn't achieved here. When the eyes aren't properly lit, it's very hard for the viewer to make the connection you want them to make with the subject.

2. The brain needs a frame of reference for the pose. We can tell she's looking back over her shoulder but because the neck is hidden and the crop is so close you've effectively separated her head from her body, which begins to look unnatural and less flattering.

3. The bright pink shirt draws attention away from the face; something you want to avoid.

You make some very valid points I wasn't thinking of at the time. I suppose I could have used some fill flash for the eyes to get that effect. The framing is probably a bit awkward as you say, I will see if I can correct these mistakes at the next chance I have!

The bright pink was increased in PP in Lightroom, I guess I should tone it down a little. I wanted to have a blue / pink contrast thing going on in the photo. i guess I overdid it

Thanks!

Originally Posted by goldt3

I really love the reflection of the sky that you get in the lenses of the glasses!

It appears that the color was altered in PP, the pink shirt looks strange around the sleeve. Try to get the color of the shirt back to the natural color and it may be less distracting than it is now.

Thanks! Eventhough the reflection wasn't intentional it did come in handy! You are right about the pink, I will go back and redo the PPing