Self Portrait

[fais54]

Hi, this was one of my first self-portraits. I took it outdoors, and used natural lighting. I know the background may be seen as distracting, but it actually has a sentiment reason as to why I shot this here. I wanted critiques on the lighting, composition, and post editing. Thanks guys


8.11.11 by Stefan Faison, on Flickr

Olympus E-520 / 14-42mm
14mm, f/3.5
ISO 400 (1/60)

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by fais54

Hi, this was one of my first self-portraits. I took it outdoors, and used natural lighting. I know the background may be seen as distracting, but it actually has a sentiment reason as to why I shot this here. I wanted critiques on the lighting, composition, and post editing. Thanks guys


8.11.11 by Stefan Faison, on Flickr

Olympus E-520 / 14-42mm
14mm, f/3.5
ISO 400 (1/60)

what kind of post did you do? It looks like the white balance for half the image is way off. The left tree is balanced, but the right tree looks purple?

I don't know Olympus, but I highly recommend getting used to using only manual mode to better control the results of the photo.

[fais54]

That was done in post. The top left edge and bottom left edge are blue 'tinted', the bottom left edge is yellow tinted and the top right edge is supposed to be red. The WB in the original is fine. I know it's a little different, but I liked that 'trippy' effect in this photo.

[Bruce A]

Originally Posted by fais54

That was done in post. The top left edge and bottom left edge are blue 'tinted', the bottom left edge is yellow tinted and the top right edge is supposed to be red. The WB in the original is fine. I know it's a little different, but I liked that 'trippy' effect in this photo.

I like your portrait, however as Chris stated, there are a few problems and I have to agree. But if this is what you want, I don't see why you asked for a critique - why not post it the SYS section?

[fais54]

I wasn't really disputing the problems he said he found (Sorry if it came off that way), just clarifying that the colors were intentional (and explaining why I did it that way). I was asking as a whole if the post effects actually looked good; as well as whether or not the lighting and composition were fine.

[Bruce A]

Originally Posted by fais54

I wasn't really disputing the problems he said he found (Sorry if it came off that way), just clarifying that the colors were intentional (and explaining why I did it that way). I was asking as a whole if the post effects actually looked good; as well as whether or not the lighting and composition were fine.

Okay, as far as the post effects I'm not too fussed and I also would have preferred the background out of focus. Composition wise for your portrait is fine imo.

[ChrisAdval]

I agree with Bruce, ignoring the color balance of the photo its ok... it would have been a much stronger photo if the background was blurred a bit more at least but its understandable using an Olympus (kidding lol). If you're a new photographer I would focus on just the photography part and getting it perfected before playing around with photoshop odd effects, check out my work if you'd like to and I keep my photos all clean, sharp, and in color. No special looking effects because I want the mood of my photos to say realism and modern.

[mariselafm]

I like it. The impression I get from the picture is that you are showing where you come from ("yep, this is me").
Even if that is not the correct story, now I want to do this at my parent's house, cool idea.
PS You cropped out your elbows a little bit, that's the only thing I can think of critiquing, since the WB issue is intentional.

[fais54]

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it. and yes, that's sort of the look I was going for, so your impression was correct