Friends Photo Shoot

[prettymistake83]

I picked these two shots because they are my favorite. I did take in some advice from people who had helped me out and did some straight on lighting. I dont know why but I tend to lean on darker photos and shadows. Who knows! I did these for her as a self esteem booster she has been down in the dumps and She loved this Idea.

f-stop: f/1.8
exposure time 1/80sec
ISO Speed 800
Focal length 50mm
Max Ap 1.6


I am using a nikon d3000 with a MF 50mm lens Any help would be great!

[BigFuzzy]

A couple of things, first, can you check out the critique section rules as you're only supposed to post one image. You should pick your fave and delete the other before the mods do it for you.

Also, can you post bigger versions, it's really hard to see anything with these sizes.

Some quick comments (as best as I can do with these size images):
I hate hate hate selective coloring. Some people love it. To me it's really gimmicky and screams "I'm just starting off".. which even if true, you don't want the world to know.

The 2nd image looks woefully out of focus..but I could be wrong due to the size of the image. The lighting in that shot created dark areas in the eyes which isn't great.. and the whole head and hand floating on a black background just doesn't do it for me especially seeing how the hand is cropped.

Having said all that, if she (the client) likes them, that's all that matters. Again, lots more (both good and bad) could probably be said if we had better versions of the images to look at.

[John Hendry]

Like the first, I dont mind selective colour. the second does look ut of focus

All the best

[prettymistake83]

Ok sorry I forgot about the one photo a day deal! So here I made the one bigger for you all to see and took the other one down. I hope the larger one is better.

[roostabunny]

I think there might be a really good shot hidden behind the processing. But when the dark background combines with the selective color (and, to some extent the large and bold watermark) I'm getting kind of an Ice Vampire vibe. Has nothing to do with the pose, expression, or lighting - just the processing (i.e. glowing eyes) and the big purple goth butterfly.

That said, I like the composition (minus the watermark), and the strong negative space created by the black background. Might not be able to have quite as much negative space without the watermark to balance it out, but she could still be all the way to one side of the frame and I think I'd still like it.

I'd be most interested to see if if you could achieve similar drama with regular colors. Even if you desaturated some. Seems like there's good detail and sharpness and good depth from the lighting to work with.

Edit: On reflection, I should mention that taste comes into play here. If your friend likes the butterfly watermark, that's cool, but I'd still consider fading it some so that it's not such a strong part of the composition, as I think it distracts from the subject.

[Doug Sundseth]

With one exception, I agree with Roostabunny. In particular, I agree that there's probably quite a nice portrait behind the post.

The exception? I'm getting more of a zombie vibe than a vampire vibe. Definitely undead though.

[devildogx2]

Count me as one who is not a fan of the selective coloring- on a person's specifically. I don't think I've ever seen an image where part of a person was colored that I liked.

I think this image would improve already just to go straight black and white. I would like to see this reprocessed too or even straight out of the camera. I think there is a connection and intensity in her gaze already, that any extra pop added to her eyes seems to push it over the top into well...what they said.

I do like the connection you made with her and even her placement. I happen to like low key images too. I just don't care for the selective color.

[3bayjunkie]

I just think it is way too over processed.

[mpaulison]

I like the composition very much. I don't even hate the blue. But, the eyes are too blue. Hence the vampire look. It's a strong shot without additions I think. Women are not really crazy about being bathed in blue.

But as the shot stands, I like it a lot.... just tone down the eyes a bit.

[prettymistake83]

Thank you all for the help. I have to tell you guys this and I know you wont believe me but her eyes are really just that crazy blue! I just thought I would show them off a little. Oh and I know the shot is over processed and I am trying to cut back on all of these effects I am hoping to have a new subject for you all to critique soon! Thank you as always for making this a great site to learn from!