*First Time Photoshoot*

[joecaustic]

This is a picture I edited from my very first *actual* photoshoot!
I was curious if anyone had any advice on what I should do in the future regarding composition/settings/editing to improve my abilities.
Also I would love to hear some feedback, I never show anyone the pictures I take.. until now.
*dun dun duuuuuun

Canon Xsi w/18-55mm kit lens.
f/3.5
1/80sec
ISO 400
focal length 18mm

..I think I included everything?

[scootermcq]

Welcome to the forum....

Few things to help improve:

1. What's up with the eye's? They are the key point in just about all portraits. You can not see them in this one.
2. Subject is a little close to the background. Moving them forward would create better separation
3. Lights are a little hot. A smaller aperture would be better and you would get a sharper image than shooting wide open with a kit lens.
4. Not thrilled over the subject being dead center, but that is a personal choice. I would prefer a bit of negative space on the right of the image.

Not too bad for your first shoot.

[jimmyl]

I completely agree with Scott and thanks Scott for that critique as I was able to take of what you said to use in my photography as well. Pretty girl with no isn't working for me. Can you re-post the image with the eyes.

[Rentham]

Is it possible that the eye treatment was intentional for a creepy / horror effect? Then again I may be completely off base.

[jen2swt]

I love the creepy/horror effect...the only thing that bothers me is her chest blends in with her dress...it looks a tad bit blown? Otherwise I love the effect. I love the Goth/Horror type photos

[joecaustic]

OH! Sorry, yeah I was going for a "no retina" look. I wanted it to be a little more on the creepy side of things. As for the blowout, I definitely will pay more attention to reducing that. I think it happened during the edit. Thank you all for the feedback and help!

Here is the original, not altered, picture. Eyes and everything.

[jen2swt]

I def like the "no eyes" effect (but that's just my taste, lol) Her chest looks ALOT better Good job.

[Rommel Parada]

Second shot looks much better but bring back the creepy eyes. That is what made it an interesting shot. Otherwise it's just a grown woman with a teddy bear.

I was not too sure about the tattoo on her leg as I was thinking maybe the dead eye impact would be greater if there was no other indication in the shot that this was meant to be an eerie photo but I think the tattoo adds a little more character.

[roostabunny]

Yeah, I have to agree, I think the original unprocessed shot is very strong, and the first processed shot you posted not so much.

It seems like you had terrific lighting and and interesting expression blown out by excess contrast and a total eye-ectomy.

Not sure what you're using to process, but I think you can add some real drama without blowing out the highlight on her chest and losing the dress detail there. You know - add contrast, but go way darker. Maybe decrease the gamma some to compensate? (Might be increase the gamma - still learning about gamma, myself.) Meanwhile, I like the expression enough to say, maybe you can go to bright white on the eyes, but still leave enough detail to tell where she's looking?

That'd be creepy AND cute, which is way creepier than just plain creepy!

[roostabunny]

I added a sample to illustrate what I meant.

I normally ask permission before modifying a photo, but I was a bit short on time, so if you want just say the word and I'll take it down. Processed in the GIMP with decreased brightness, increased contrast, slight warming effect in "Hue/Saturation", heavy unsharp mask, and a partial eye-ectomy using the dodge and clone stamp tools.

I do think the shot you took is great, and I'm only guessing as to your artistic vision for it, so I probably messed it up in that way. Only wanted to illustrate one option to ramp up the creep factor without losing your great detail, pose, and lighting.