Aya Shadowed Headshot

[ChrisAdval]

Aya Stam 05 by Chris Adval, on Flickr [EXIF]

Camera Body: Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure/Shutter 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 62 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Exposure Program Manual
Exposure Mode Manual
White Balance Manual
Lens: EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

I worked in post processing a bit longer than I expected and normally do with my new techniques I've been playing with on skin smoothing, and the technique did not help one patch of the brighter side of the face so I worked my older technique into it using the healing brush tool to soften the skin texture. As for colors, brightness, etc.. I upped the contrast as I normally do in my work. In this shot I was going for a bit more dramatic tone of a headshot hence the reasoning for the intense shadows. With everyone telling me in the past months or year on here about too much shadow I was hesitant on editing and keeping the photo so I did work on it because it just felt different from the model and feel to it... Let me know what you guys think overall especially skin smoothing as I'm trying to perfect this technique.

[Niresangwa]

skin-wise, there's a definite difference between her forehead and her cheek, noticeable even at the size you have posted here.

overall, i like it, even if it is darker than i would have it, but then again i know you'll say you wanted it as it is, and so be it. the shadows i can deal with, the dead dull eyes, not so much.

pose-wise, i'm not thrilled with her being so square on to the camera, but its not a major detractor..

[Rentham]

Chris, I've been really impressed with your recent work but this one is a miss for me. You have a beautiful model here and she's almost entirely obscured in shadow. Like Steve said, the eyes are going dead. Also with the framing and lighting it doesn't really work for me as a headshot.

[ChrisAdval]

thanks for the input guys, I agree, as I mentioned in my notes I was hesitant and was thinking of another photo to edit then changed my mind...

[kathleenwilliams]

The wrinkles beside her lips .. did you just put it there.. ?
It seems that she's not smiling but the wrinkle when smiling is there,,
If yes maybe you also stretch her lips a bit..

[ccting]

a) So what is the solution? Turn her head to viewer's right and looking at the light source????
b) This is two light portrait. One split from the almost right side, one rear top vertical hair/background light?
c) I don't know about the crop below her angle.. For me i will crop @ chest level (above the angle) to maintain some hiding for extra imagination ;D
e) issit true that every portrait must have clear eyes with catch light?

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by ccting

a) So what is the solution? Turn her head to viewer's right and looking at the light source????

The easiest solution would be to turn her head to the right (her left) so she is angled more into the light - moving slowly until the light breaks over the nose and you'll have classic Rembrandt lighting. This should also put a catch light in the eyes.

b) This is two light portrait. One split from the almost right side, one rear top vertical hair/background light?

It appears that way, a main and a hair/rim light.

c) I don't know about the crop below her angle.. For me i will crop @ chest level (above the angle) to maintain some hiding for extra imagination ;D

artistic choice

e) is it true that every portrait must have clear eyes with catch light?

pretty much, I would see that as a goal unless you had a specific artistic reason to not have a catch light.

[ccting]

Thanks Zona for your feedback.. ;D

[ChrisAdval]

I avoid cropping off-camera for technical reasons, if its absolutely necessary I will crop it if it will dramatically increase the level of quality, hence why I take my time to frame the shot as best as I can and never rush before I click the shutter.

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

I avoid cropping off-camera for technical reasons, if its absolutely necessary I will crop it if it will dramatically increase the level of quality, hence why I take my time to frame the shot as best as I can and never rush before I click the shutter.

What are those technical reasons? And does that mean you intentionally cropped her at the elbows?