Back in The Game Portrait

[fais54]

Hey, all! I've gotten settled into school and haven't been able to shoot much lately, hence my lack of activity on here. Sorry guys! Anyway, this was a quick shoot that I did with my sister again. I was looking for critique on lighting, composition, and the editing. If you think the photo can be improve editing wise, feel free to give it a try. Thanks in advance!


11.6.11 by Stefan Faison, on Flickr

Olympus E-520 / 14mm
ISO 100, f/3.5
(1/60)
Photoshop CS4

[graciousness]

Can't really fault this image because it's well lit (from what I can see in my monitor, anyway) and your sister is super duper cute and well focused.

The only thing that I can say is her eyes. Whilst I know that it is all done in character, that natural smile and kooky pose and look, you really want to avoid taking shots where there's so much whites in the eyes and that you can barely see her pupils. Not the most flattering look, but then again this is such a character shot I don't think your sister will care!

Great job and welcome back.

Cheers,

Grace

[Christian Michael]

I think the quirkiness, editing’s and colors work well. One sided crop….not so much. Let her look into the space that’s left keeping us guessing what she’s smiling at. Not dead space in the photo that is wasted.

Otherwise….great work!

[SGToliver]

Did you shoot this with direct on camera flash? She is well lit but I do not like the harsh shadows under her jaw line which suggest that you used a pop up or just kept your flash pointed right at her. I would have tried to bounce your flash in order to get a more flattering light for your sister.

[fais54]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

@SGToliver Yes, I did actually shoot this one with direct flash. I know it's usually frowned upon, but I used it in another shoot that I did a while back and explained why: Sugar and Spice Portrait

[SGToliver]

Ah, Roger, got it now.