Same shoot, different photo.

[chrisalan]

Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/14.0
Focal Length 37 mm
ISO Speed 400

This image was taken during the same shoot as the image I posted yesterday, so I didn't ignore the advice given in that thread. I hope to shoot her again after the new year, and to take into account the advice given.

I didn't notice the crooked picture in the background until afterwards.
Any more suggestions for me?

Thanks again.

[graciousness]

I'm actually interested to know what YOU think of the photo.

Where do you think you fell short on, what do you think of the settings you used, flash, composition/background and her pose.

I am asking this question because for me, I learnt the most by actually examining my own photos.

I'll give you personal feedback depending on your response and then some (if required).

Cheers,

Grace

[chrisalan]

Hmm, good question.

The biggest criticisms I have on it are the flash glare on her glasses (received advice on how to take care of that on my last thread), and the things hanging on the wall should have been taken down before shooting.
Other than that, I like the way this picture came out.

[NgaiHill]

Hi,
I had a quick look at your other photo that you posted yesterday and I see common factors in both shots that would be easily fixed.

1. Try using a larger aperture to get a smaller DOF & isolate your subject from her background.

2. Again your background has distracting elements in it which draw attention away from the person.

3. A portrait should focus all the viewer's attention on the person, having elements in the picture such as table, chair, walls etc are distracting, ask yourself if you need to show that much of the person's body. Your portrait would have more impact and be more intimate if you were closer to the subject, or used your zoom, perhaps getting just a head shot.

4. If you are unable to control the light to your liking perhaps you need to move to somewhere where you can control the lighting, or where the lighting suits. Give some consideration to the direction the light is coming from and the time of day. Perhaps even move outside.

hope this helps, keep improving

[graciousness]

Originally Posted by chrisalan

Hmm, good question.

The biggest criticisms I have on it are the flash glare on her glasses (received advice on how to take care of that on my last thread), and the things hanging on the wall should have been taken down before shooting.
Other than that, I like the way this picture came out.

The biggest problem with the photo is the underexposure. I thought this is something you would have mentioned but I guess perhaps on your monitor the exposure may look ok. I am using a calibrated monitor and this photo looks very underexposed to me. Seeing that you used flash, you needed to user higher power on the unit and then bounce the light from your flash on the ceiling or behind you to get more flattering light. By pointing the flash directly on your subject, the photo looks flat. Also, you will notice that the flash reflected on the wall behind her and it's not good.

In choosing a background, I would have chosen a scene/area/place where there is the least amount of clutter/objects around. You did the shoot indoors where it seems that you don't have a lot of space, therefore, making it difficult to simplify your background. If you had no choice but to shoot inside the house, then yes, remove objects on the wall that would distract from the photos and move the subject away from the wall as much as possible for separation. Then use a wider aperture (smaller f/stop) to narrow your depth of field to blur the background. By the way, watch out for glossy paint on walls like in this house. That's problematic with flash as it reflects light worse than matted paint.

The composition has issues, too. Hand is slightly chopped and too tight on the left side of the frame and she is too centered. Her pose is not doing anything for her, either. For me, this is shot too low and I would have opted for a higher point of view and a much closer shot. That would avoid most of the clutter in the background and I find it to be more flattering when we can really see the subject's face. If the subject is not that comfortable in front of the camera, close up is better to avoid having to deal with uncomfortable, unflattering or unrelaxed poses.

Instead of taking the photo with her glasses, why not just remove the glasses altogether? I can understand, however, that some people's part of their character is to have them with their glasses, but if it could be avoided, remove the glasses. Not only do you have to worry about glare, but also eye glasses chop of eyes. The eyes are the most important part of a portrait.

What I think that you need to do is to look at other people's portrait shots, especially from photographers that you admire and compare your photos as part of the learning process. You need to train your eyes to see what works in portraits and not. When looking at photos, find out what you like about them and try to adopt them into your own shoot for practice and learning.

I hope this helps. Would like to see photos in the future taken outdoors to see how you manage the settings.

Cheers,

Grace

[graciousness]

Ok I was bored.

I played around with the photo for 2 minutes to remove the stuff on the wall, try to remove the reflection (well, as much as I could but it's really almost quite impossible to do a good job doing it) and adjusted exposure. Since this is a small jpeg, it was almost an impossible task to do major adjustments but just wanted to give some idea.

This is a very, very quick edit so please ignore all the uneven discolouration on the wall. My eyes started hurting badly trying to play around

With the removal of the said items off the wall, I don't think it still did a major improvement. Her pose is just not that great and what is also not so good is that she's looking somewhere else other than the camera. Something distracted her and she's not engaged with the camera.

By bringing up the exposure, however, you can see that it's just a little bit more brighter and clearer. Your exposure should, at least, be somewhere along this brightness on the image, but adjusting not to blow out the white tablecloth. The easier way to do this is just to have her somewhere else other than this table.

Anyhoo, let me know if you want me to remove this attachment if you're not so keen on someone else playing around with your image.

Cheers,

Grace

[edbayani]

it is underexposed, too busy bg and reflections on the eyeglasses. the cropping on the left is too close to the hand.

[chrisalan]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Surprisingly, I didn't notice it being underexposed on this computer, but when I opened it on my desktop, I see what you mean. I'll start doing all my photo work on that computer, and will have to pick up a calibration tool next time I get paid.

As for the depth of field, I'll work on that next time. Along with setting up better lighting and a clean backdrop for her to stand in front of.

I'll be back in a couple weeks with a new critique image, one that has utilized your suggestions.

Thanks again.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by NgaiHill

Hi,
1. Try using a larger aperture to get a smaller DOF & isolate your subject from her background.

I'm going to have to disagree on this one. She is just too close to the wall with too many prominent distractions included. To get a narrow enough DOF to "make up" for that it would be difficult to get both eyes in focus.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by chrisalan

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Surprisingly, I didn't notice it being underexposed on this computer, but when I opened it on my desktop, I see what you mean. I'll start doing all my photo work on that computer, and will have to pick up a calibration tool next time I get paid.

As for the depth of field, I'll work on that next time. Along with setting up better lighting and a clean backdrop for her to stand in front of.

I'll be back in a couple weeks with a new critique image, one that has utilized your suggestions.

Thanks again.

One thing I think you need to do is stop thinking "I'm taking a picture" and think "I'm making a photograph".

When you are "making a photograph" nothing is out of your control...everything should be set up and done to meet the goal. This means EVERYTHING; changing locations, finding a better BG, finding better lighting, manipulating the lighting, changing clothing, fixing hair, removing distractions.....whatever it takes. You have to look at and analyze the picture before you even take it. When learning it really helps to "chimp" the shots (review on the camera screen).
If you can't meet the goal with the present restrictions; then don't make the photograph yet.