Lighting - Portrait

[BShumaker]

Ok, making another attempt at lighting with a self portrait with one light source to camera left. I find it quite difficult to get the lighting where I like doing a self portrait not having another person or prop to use for adjustments. But hey, if nothing else, I am getting exercise running back and forth to check it out.

Anyways, looking for a critique on the lighting as far as placement and quality. Also, does the shadow over the near eye bother you?

Then of course, anything else you want to critique on, exposure, composition, color...




Exposure: 0.4
Aperture: f/11.0
Focal Length: 63 mm
ISO Speed: 200

[rachb]

Like: color post processing- like the vintage-y tones it has. I actually really like the lighting and the shadow doesn't bother me. Not sure what others would say from a technical standpoint. Love the composition, and although I'm not normally big on obvious vignetting, it definitely works here.

The right side of your face blends in to the wall- I'd use some selective burning and darken it up just a tiny bit between your eye and hand. I also wish you were looking straight into the camera- you kind of have the mysterious "what am I looking at" gaze going on, but it also immediately pushes my gaze out of the frame- if you were looking at the viewer, it would hold their attention longer.

Nice shot!

[BShumaker]

I appreciate the comments Rachel. As for the "gaze", I never thought about it drawing the viewer out of the frame, but I could see where you are coming from and will definitely take that into concideration next time.

Thanks again!

[Matthew_Scullion]

I think this is a high quality photo.

At this level your light placement is artistic preference, rather than "wrong or right".

If I had to pick anything, I personally find the catch-lights in the eyes a little large and hence distracting. Being very picky here though. This is a quality image.

[Ginger Pixie]

I'm happy with the lighting and post processing - but I'm not a fan of the hand position. I'd rather see the whole face, than a hand beard.

[BShumaker]

Originally Posted by Matthew_Scullion

I think this is a high quality photo.

At this level your light placement is artistic preference, rather than "wrong or right".

If I had to pick anything, I personally find the catch-lights in the eyes a little large and hence distracting. Being very picky here though. This is a quality image.

I appreciate it, Matt.

Originally Posted by Ginger Pixie

I'm happy with the lighting and post processing - but I'm not a fan of the hand position. I'd rather see the whole face, than a hand beard.

Ginger, the more I have looked at it, the more the hand bothers me, but this usually happens for me with everything. Not so much because of the hand beard (which had me laughing), or that it covers the face, but more because the arm gets cut off. I think it would have been stronger with like you said no hand, or the entire arm. Thanks for the comments.

[ccting]

looks great for me ;D

[BShumaker]

Thanks, ccting