Window Portrait

[GuitarGeek153]

My goal is to practice taking portraits using windows as my key light. I took a few of my difficult, but willing, dad. Here is one of the better of the bunch:



I could use some advice. One difficulty I had was the background. What have people done to create a good, solid background while defeating shadows and it being too lit? Also, would you recommend shooting with a tripod with a smaller aperture, such as f/8.0 or f/5.6? I shot this handheld with a wide aperture of 2.0 so I could blur some of his distracting shirt and the background. I could go wider, but I fear losing control of my DOF.

Finally, how is the composition? I know to have the subject tilt the head toward the light source to combat the two face effect, but is the left side of his face still in too much shadow?

Any other feedback would also be helpful. I'm striving to learn from as many people as I can.

[ccting]

nice moody split lighting shot.. perhaps a white soft reflector (soft diffuse reflection) on the
a) exact left,
b) front left

and back top 45 degree using mirror (direct reflection)

or use mirror at back 45 degree???????????????????????

Question 1: Is this front 45 lighting or split lighting? I looks more than 45 front lighting if without reflector
Question 2: Look like the window is quite low.. am i right?
Question 3: If tint the head to the right and forward a bit, will it look better?
Question 4: If use f/3.5, double the ISO, will it be better?

Please listen to experts' advice, I am just a noob..

[vihara]

I like it the way it is! It looks natural. Using strobes to cut off the shadows would make it a studio shot. Natural is always better. TFS

[ccting]

I believe 153 does not want to use other light source than window light..

[Niresangwa]

This is a really great portrait.

It's engaging, the light is dramatic and matches the expression and character excellently. it feels like it should be on a book cover. it has a slightly softened feel to it, which isnt something i would expect to like, but again, it seems to match the subject..

i think you made the right decision on DoF...again, the softness isnt something I would expect to like on a male subject with such a dark BnW treatment, but hey, it works... having said that though (hard to fully judge at the available size) i wish that eye was sharper.

all in all, very nice work.

[Mark Engelhart]

The ratio for an mature man looks fine to me. I think what it lacks could be brought in by using a reflector or white board to create a separation light to create an edge on the camera left side of his head and shoulder. Placed behind and close to the subject just out of frame camera left. This would pull the subject away from the background which would make the background less relavent. I actually like the texture in the background but if you wanted to blur it out more you could move the background farther back if possible. I like the pose as well.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

This is a really great portrait.

It's engaging, the light is dramatic and matches the expression and character excellently. it feels like it should be on a book cover. it has a slightly softened feel to it, which isnt something i would expect to like, but again, it seems to match the subject..

i think you made the right decision on DoF...again, the softness isnt something I would expect to like on a male subject with such a dark BnW treatment, but hey, it works... having said that though (hard to fully judge at the available size) i wish that eye was sharper.

all in all, very nice work.

My words exactly. Very, very well done.

The light here is really just lovely, and your BW conversion is very nice!

As for separation, with using only window light, a reflector could have been used to bounce some light as a "hair light" camera left. But honestly, some photos don't need it, and this is one of them.

[sk66]

Very nice! I'd like just a touch more in the eyes from a little flick of flash.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

My words exactly. Very, very well done.

The light here is really just lovely, and your BW conversion is very nice!

As for separation, with using only window light, a reflector could have been used to bounce some light as a "hair light" camera left. But honestly, some photos don't need it, and this is one of them.

I will remember that... any name of this kind of portrait? If there isn't, please name one... ;D

[cyber3d]

Personally, I would like to see just a little key light off to the back left. I just think it would balance the subject and define the shoulder a bit. It won't "feminize" the look.