Post Your Best Portrait Shots!

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Originally Posted by Chuck Lee

<span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"]Keith,


<span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"]I really like the shots you share. I don't know if you were looking for any feedback so forgive me if you weren't but I felt compelled to comment on a couple things with this one.


<span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"]1) I think the ambient on-axis is a little strong overall and is shining too brightly in her ear.


<span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"]2) I like the comp, but her pose, though strong, proud and jaw/neck enhancing leaves me looking up into her nose. If she slightly cocked her her back toward you or if you were able to take the shot from a little higher up this could remedy the problem. Even #1 would help by taking the on-axis fill down a 1/2 to 1 full stop.


<span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"]These things are very picky but worth a mention.


<span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"]Love the background halo light. I wish I was home and could see the background color on My HP 2275. Looks like cinnamon.


<span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"]Nice work man..........[img]/emoticons/emotion-21.gif[/img]

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Thanks Chuck


Feedback is always fine. I have been a food/product/editorial photographer for some time and I am now working on my portrait stylings so C&amp;C is welcome.


It's funny the 2 things you pointed out are the two things I have issue with image too. I have other shots from the sitting posed as you described, but my girlfriend has become very impatient with my photography and using her as a guinea pig so it is like photographing a child; I have a window of about 2 minutes before she in twitching and goose necking toward the t.v. I would have like to change the fill light but no way would she have waited for me to set up a light. I thought about fixing the ear in post but I got lazy. I'll post a different angle later.

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

What was your setup here Keith?


Gridded speedlite into background?
Softbox camera left and slightly behind subject?
Rayflash for fill?


Great job by the way :-)

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Mark


You nailed it! And thanks.


Like I mentioned above I had limited time, I would have liked to have put a small shoot through choked way down behind her so I got better gradation of the hot spot. I actually had to push the shadow level in post, so on the original you kind of see banding again (not going to complain because it could have been avoided).


Other set up info: 5DmkII, 24-70, SB w/580EXII @1/4, Ray Flash w/580EXII @ 1/32, BG light 580EXII w/Honl 1/4 grid @ 1/64.


Manual setting, 1/125, f/4 ISO 100 @ 70mm.

Keith one more tiny detail. Try to get the entire head in the shot. I don't know if I'm the only one noticing, but I don't like cut of bodyparts in photos. I think if you showed the top of her head as well it would make the image stronger.


Except of course if you're trying to make a special composition where you deliberately cut of some limbs or other bodyparts.





At least that's what I am trying to work on lately. It happens to me all the time, because I'm focussing on other things during the shoots, but it is something to be beware of. Take the entire shot, not a bit of it [A]

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Originally Posted by Sheiky

Keith one more tiny detail. Try to get the entire head in the shot. I don't know if I'm the only one noticing, but I don't like cut of bodyparts in photos. I think if you showed the top of her head as well it would make the image stronger.


Except of course if you're trying to make a special composition where you deliberately cut of some limbs or other bodyparts.

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Crop was intentional. I was trying different crops as I was clicking away. This shot just grabbed me.


I use to focus so much on getting everything in. This was a big thing shooting editorial stuff because designers always wanted plenty of room to crop in the layouts. I think sometimes if you get too much in the image loses impact. I think it is really about the purpose of the shot. Like on this shot, I have always loved her profile and cheek bones so I was really trying to draw focus to them in a "rip-off Dan Winters" sort of way (I missed but that is why this is practice). I feel too much or any space above and behind her would detracted from that. If I had more time I would have like to adjusted light to make her neck and clavicle more shadowy and use them to draw the eye more toward her jaw. Probably would have shadowed out her nose a bit too.
</div>

This is one of my little guy that I am very fond of. I have better, but for some reason really like this picture. C&amp;C welcome. XSi, 50mm 1.4 @ f2.0, 1/200 sec, iso 200.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.64/2010_5F00_01_5F00_11_5F00_IMG_5F00_4827.jpg[/img]

Great shot Jayson!


Here is a altered version of my previous post and a slightly different angle. It is still shot from a little low. She is very petite person (4'11") and I was afraid of making her look tiny.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_9904sm2.jpg[/img]


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_9910sm.jpg[/img]

That's an excellent shot Jayson. So much innocence in this picture.

Keith-


I like the second one quite a bit better. She has a magnificant profile, and it shines in the second one. I always enjoy the shots you take of her...


And on a last note, 4'11"?? Wow...I never would have guessed. I think you do a good job of making her seem taller!

Thanks Sean!


I'm a big fan of your work so that means a lot.


Ahlea is very petite. I have shots of her from the same sitting where she is wearing a sweater but it was making her look very small so I asked if she could just put on a robe and let drape off her shoulders. Her attitude dropped substantially after that. It was a little chilly and I think she wanted to watch Chuck.


With the sweater. I like the angle better. I think I got married to the idea the shoulder made in more interesting. I had the ring powered down a little more here too. Another instance where the LCD failed me. On screen it looked to dark.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_9876sm.jpg[/img]

Keith,


I don't know anything, but I think the last one with the sweater is the best. I think you did a great job capturing the contrast between the well-lit front of her face and the left side, and the gradient behind her is perfectly silhouetting her form, not bringing attention to itself, but not allowing the back oh her to fade formlessly into a shadow. Also, the color of the sweater is a great complement to the background and her natural skin and hair, which brings something to the palette that I feel was missing by comparison in the first shots.

Thanks HiFi.


The sweater shot was actually the first shot I took. I guess I started getting in my own way. Appreciate everyones input. Thanks.

hello all


still time to say best wishes for 2010!


i just got back from india where i had an amazing journey filled by amazing people. so inspiring! here are a just couple of shots it wanted to share. i appreciate feedbacks!!!


camera is a 40D


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[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.85/20100105_2D00_IMG_5F00_8192.jpg[/img]


100 mm f3.5 1/60sec iso 100 with flash


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.85/20091231_2D00_IMG_5F00_7843_2D00_IBAsmall.jpg[/img]


130mm f2.8 1/400 sec iso 100 no flash


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.85/20091231_2D00_IMG_5F00_7849moyen.jpg[/img]


70 mm f7.1 1/1000 sec iso 200 no flash

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Keith B

... and I think she wanted to watch Chuck.

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Definitely got to respect that [Y][:D]

Backseat photographer. My great-uncle while he's driving


Canon XTi &amp; 50mm 1.8II


1/400s f/2.8 ISO 400


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_txxcOCWRgac/Sz...2/_MG_3066.JPG

Hi, This is my first post here on this forum. I thought I would add my shot as well.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/...6c6a83b4_o.jpg

Hi, This is my first post here on this forum. I thought I would add my shot as well.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/...6c6a83b4_o.jpg

I saw a post of animals, so I added some of mine.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/...6e36a67b_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/...10cb324c_o.jpg

I was doing a "light check" for a shoot that I had to do later the same day. My father-in-law was kind enough to step in for me and I ended up really like this portrait.


Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 70.0mm, Manual Exposure, 1/160th, f/8, ISO 400


Strobist: 430EX in shoot-through umbrella @ 1/8 camera right, 430EX in shoot-through umbrella @ 1/16 camera left, 430EX in 50 degree grid @ 1/32 camera left and slightly behind, triggered via CTR-301P.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.26.13/2010_2D00_01_2D00_24_2D00_12_2D00_28_2D00_10.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_0250sm.jpg[/img]

Well, let me add some portraits of mine. These were taken while rehearsing a play.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/...e5676da2_b.jpg


(50D, EF70-300 IS, f/4.5, 1/14 s, ISO 350 @100mm)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/...cbf7152f_b.jpg


(50D, EF-s 17-85 IS, f/5.6, 1/20 s, ISO 500 @85mm)

I've only been toying with strobism for about 48 hours so I've got much to learn. I've always enjoyed high key images so I thought I'd have a go myself.
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]40D, 70-200mm f/4LIS @ 70mm &amp; f/8, 1/100, ISO 100
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]<o:p></o:p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]Strobist Info:
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]580exII @ &frac14; power in softbox camera left, pointed up at subject
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]420ex in gridded softbox camera right with &frac12; CTO gel
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]Sun directly behind subject to blow out the background.
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]<o:p></o:p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]Comments and criticism more than welcome.
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]<o:p></o:p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"]Cheers, Ben.





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.34/Lauren-in-high-key.jpg[/img]

Interesting photo Ben, don't see a lot of those around here.


I like it, although the model could be a little more exited [:P]





@Devine Evo


Love your first post and welcome [:D]

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Originally Posted by Sheiky

Interesting photo Ben, don't see a lot of those around here.


I like it, although the model could be a little more exited [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]

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Hahah thanks. Yep the model was my girlfriend and I don't think she was expecting to be my proverbial experimental guinea pig. I'll let her know she needs to fire things up a bit [:P]

Lucky you Ben [:D] Hihi fire up....yeah you tell her that [:)]


Tell her she need to be a fired up experimental guinea pig, she'll love it! [Y]

Another shot of the fired up experimental guinea pig and my other best mate, Jack the Border Collie (the other collie wouldn't sit still long enough for a shot)


40D, 70-200mm f/4L IS @ 100mm and f/6.3, 1/250 sec, ISO 100


420ex behind with full CTO gel fired toward me


580 exII camera left @ 1/2 power through softbox.


Both triggered using Yonguo RF602 radio triggers.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.34/4310678681_5F00_ff0c110f35_5F00_b.jpg[/img]

Hey thanks/....U have provided a very gr8 idea.I have made 4 shots i will post very soon in this form..

Nice shot Ben, I'm just getting into the strobism off camera thing myself lately. I do believe we're the only two Ozzie's here though and Queenslanders at that. Love your BC mate, smartest dogs around, do you still have your choclate BC. One more thing, where in the Isa is it that green [:P]





Scott

Quote:

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Originally Posted by btaylor

Another shot of the fired up experimental guinea pig and my other best mate, Jack the Border Collie (the other collie wouldn't sit still long enough for a shot)

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Hihi love it!!![:D]


Nice picture Ben. I'll try to make some pictures of my own guinea piggy soon when I get time [:P]

http://modelmayhm-3.vo.llnwd.net/d1/...84a6d52d6b.jpg

http://madebymadison.nl/blog/wp-cont...vdveen-173.jpg
http://madebymadison.nl/blog/wp-cont...essie1-10b.jpg

http://madebymadison.nl/blog/wp-cont...ijwerkbart.jpg

http://madebymadison.nl/blog/wp-cont...ningjr_4x5.jpg

Great portraits Madison, nice style, I esspecially like the thrid one.

I too like the third one best...good stuff

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Originally Posted by Scott

Nice shot Ben, I'm just getting into the strobism off camera thing myself lately. I do believe we're the only two Ozzie's here though and Queenslanders at that.

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Cheers mate -certainlyhaven't seen too many other Ozzies hanging around althoughI'm sure they're a few out there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scott

Love your BC mate, smartest dogs around, do you still have your choclate BC. One more thing, where in the Isa is it that green [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]

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They are fantasic dogs, a little too smart at times but they're as loyal as it gets. Still got the chocolate one - she was just too impatient to sit still long enough to get in this shot.

Terrific work Madison. Can you share some of your strobist info? The 3rd one really has that Dan Winters vibe to it. I remember you commenting on his style from a while back. Again, terrific job!

EOS50D


efs 18-200 f3.5-5.6 IS


ISO 800


f5.6


1/250[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.39.03/Mac-the-dag-_2800_784-x-834_2900_.jpg[/img]

my friend needed a picture of herself to send to her grandparents


I wouldn't label this as best but I like it.


XSI


ISO 100


f/4


1/200


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.36.53/Bj1.jpg[/img]








--Matt

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

Terrific work Madison. Can you share some of your strobist info? The 3rd one really has that Dan Winters vibe to it. I remember you commenting on his style from a while back. Again, terrific job!

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Thank you Mark. All were done with studio flash (so not a strobist setup) in the studio though.


Miss World shot uses a ring flash and nothing else.


The one that looks like an old painting uses two soft boxes one as a main and one as a fill (which is not the way Dan Winters does it by the way: he uses one soft box to the right and uses a ring to fill).


The black &amp; White portraitw of the guy with the chains uses just one soft box on this face, and a slight bounce on the left.


Very basic stuff actually.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Madison

Very basic stuff actually.
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

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You certainly know how to use it though haha, they look excellent

Did these for a friend. She is actually a nurse that recently finished school. She hated the classic portrait shot the school took. So she wanted to do something different.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_0361_2D00_7sm.jpg[/img]


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_0418sm.jpg[/img]

Here's a few from today's shoot with voiceover artist Trish Basanyi (Trish the Dish):


Canon 5D w/ Canon 85mm f/1.8 at f/2.2 - 1/15 @ ISO 100


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.21.89/_5F00_MG_5F00_0120.jpg[/img]


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.21.89/_5F00_MG_5F00_0104.jpg[/img]


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.21.89/Trish_5F00_Headshot1.jpg[/img]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Keith B

Did these for a friend. She is actually a nurse that recently finished school. She hated the classic portrait shot the school took. So she wanted to do something different.

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Keith - the first shot is really spot-on to me. Nice interpretation....I really like it.

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Originally Posted by Rob Gardner

Keith - the first shot is really spot-on to me. Nice interpretation....I really like it.

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Thanks Rob!