Help-Portrait test shot critique

[pbdweeeebie]

I am coordinating the CODP Help-Portrait group in Johannesburg South Africa to provide free community portraits to less privileged people in our city, as part of the worldwide Help-Portrait initiative.

Please help with critique of the test shoot image below - ahead of over 200 such shots.

Click here to view it large.

Setup and EXIF information:
- took 5 minutes from camera bag to complete set up and ready to shoot
- subject in shade of tree in garden
- off-camera SB800 on stand, shoot through white umbrella over-head subject 1/16 power + on-camera flash for fill 1/32 power
- D300 + f/2.8 70-200mm, M mode, ISO 400, f4, 1/250s 0EV NEF/RAW

Processing information:
NX2 + Nik Color Efex 3.0 Tonal Contrast + Bleach Bypass + Darken/Lighten Centre filters

Set up a batch file and processed this pic in under 3 minutes. 2 minutes per shot achievable to edit, crop and save.

Critique required:

a] - is the flash too "hot" or too close or should it be feathered a little more to the right?
b] - is the crop too close?
c] - alternative composition [must fit 5x7 or 7x5 aspect ratio] or portrait orientation?
d] - is the colour/processing too rough or too gritty?

Any other critique and advice most welcome.

Thank you.

pB

[harrypalmer044]

Hi there,
ok first impression right off the bat was "Wow! what a powerful portrait this is". His haunting eyes and expression make me wonder what has happened in his life. I love the color and bokeh but would like to have seen more of his hair in the image (just me).
My opinions to your questions.
A: Think the flash has given this image it's strength.
B: Crop is a little tight but only the top of his head in my opinion.
C: Think the composition works just fine, so leave it if it aint broke
D: I really like the grittyness of it and think thats why it's as powerful as it is.
I think you have a wonderful portrait that makes me want to ask questions, apart from the crop on his head I think your onto a winner. Hope that helps.
God Bless.
David.


P.S I wondered what it would look like in Black & White? So I just done a little editing on your fine image to see what you think? This is a really powerful image and I just wanted to see if you could get even more from it. Hope you like it? if not let me know and I will delete it. I hope you dont mind.

[candleman]

i do fond the flash on his face too hot ...just a tad tho'

overall is fantastic.

i dont mind the top of te head being cropped.
i'd like more space under the chin tho for sure.

[pbdweeeebie]

Originally Posted by harrypalmer044

Hi there,
ok first impression right off the bat was "Wow! what a powerful portrait this is". His haunting eyes and expression make me wonder what has happened in his life. I love the color and bokeh but would like to have seen more of his hair in the image (just me).
My opinions to your questions.
A: Think the flash has given this image it's strength.
B: Crop is a little tight but only the top of his head in my opinion.
C: Think the composition works just fine, so leave it if it aint broke
D: I really like the grittyness of it and think thats why it's as powerful as it is.
I think you have a wonderful portrait that makes me want to ask questions, apart from the crop on his head I think your onto a winner. Hope that helps.
God Bless.
David.

Thank you David for your critique. I really appreciate it.

I used the flash to try and create some separation of the subject from the background which I had deliberately underexposed, but I think I will pull it back a tad to reduce the bright spot on his forehead.

The cropped head also worries me a touch but as these have to be 5x7 ratio, the alternative is more room on the right [say, negative space] or to flip to portrait mode. I'd prefer to suffer in landscape format though.

Thank you also for your wishes and blessing to you too.

pB

[pbdweeeebie]

Originally Posted by harrypalmer044

.....

P.S I wondered what it would look like in Black & White? So I just done a little editing on your fine image to see what you think? This is a really powerful image and I just wanted to see if you could get even more from it. Hope you like it? if not let me know and I will delete it. I hope you dont mind.

Thank you also for the B&W conversion, its a cracker and I had missed that.

And while I like B&W I wonder if it would be preferred for those for whom these pics are intended..............but first I need to see how much more work it may add to my batch workflow.

Thank you, I have something more to think about!

[pbdweeeebie]

Originally Posted by candleman

i do fond the flash on his face too hot ...just a tad tho'

overall is fantastic.

i dont mind the top of te head being cropped.
i'd like more space under the chin tho for sure.

Thank you Candleman for your critique.

I too was a little concerned about the flash hot-spot! I will pull the flash a tad back more.

That crop has me tip-toeing too. I'll have a look at more room for both the top of the head and chin and try to keep the right hand side as negative space.

Thank you for your input.

pB

[cruelphotography]

I like it =)

But I think you could cut down a little on the top, and have a little bit more space under his chin.. more balanced with the eyes higher in the frame in my opinion. I like your processing, to.

[pbdweeeebie]

Originally Posted by cruelphotography

I like it =)

But I think you could cut down a little on the top, and have a little bit more space under his chin.. more balanced with the eyes higher in the frame in my opinion. I like your processing, to.

Thank you for your advice.

I guess the current crop is neither close enough or wide enough.

I will consider both options and do appreciate the input.

Thank you.

[mikedugganphotography]

I think the portrait is powerful and the sharp focus on the eyes is spot on. The Help-Portrait project is a great idea. I'll be participating in my local area as well. Should start a discussion afterwords to discuss the project.