Self portrait

[Rocco]

Hey guys. I took this last night, wanted your thoughts on it. Something seems off.. I think it's the shadows on my face. I dunno. Definitely not my best work, but by far my best self portrait.

(uploaded on tapatalk from my iPad. Let me know if you can't see it.)

Attachment 717

[Daniel Browning]

Nice shot! I'm not usually a big fan of mixing color temperatures this much, but here it looks pretty good. Personally, I'd go with a bit less negative space.

[ham]

I think mixing colour temperatures highlights your beard a lot because it's the one universally warm object.

I also think your eyes are in a little too much shadow.

I'm nowhere near a portrait expert mind.

[Sean Setters]

I like the feeling of the shot, but you might want to try lowering your mainlight (have it more level with your head, not as high and pointed downward). A lower mainlight would likely have reached across the bridge of your nose to slightly illuminate your eye on the viewer's left side.

[Rocco]

I like the feeling of the shot, but you might want to try lowering your mainlight (have it more level with your head, not as high and pointed downward). A lower mainlight would likely have reached across the bridge of your nose to slightly illuminate your eye on the viewer's left side.

I had another go tonight. I gotta say.. THIS is my best ever. Have any thoughts on this one Sean? Seems like the viewer-right eye is dark now (changed the position of the reflector) but that also might be because it's a direct window into my black soul.

[Steve U]

I love the calm relaxed feel of this portrait, a lot more natural.
I also like the uneven size of your pupils. I'm sorry I did laugh out loud at this one, that's a great expression Rocco. It is like you are dreading whatever Sean says next.

[Sean Setters]

How many light sources (aside from the window) and what type of modifiers do you have access to Rocco?

[Rocco]

Not many.. I really wish I had more. I have a lumiquest softbox for my 430exII, a disc reflector, and gels for the flash.. Oh, and a Gary fong diffuser as well.

In that first shot I had my reflector camera right, directly under a ceiling light, and below my head angled upward. The flash was behind me, bare, and feathered up so I had some bounce off the ceiling as well as a little hitting me. It was triggered by the 7D, which was at 1/16th power for a little fill. (was hoping for a catch light from it, but but it's so small.)

I made a mess of the second attempt.. Had the flash at head level and a little in front of me, and pointed directly at me. Camera right the reflector was also head level, vertically flush with my face.. I eliminated the overhead light.

Anyone want to send a few Einsteins my way??

[Rocco]

I love the calm relaxed feel of this portrait, a lot more natural.
I also like the uneven size of your pupils. I'm sorry I did laugh out loud at this one, that's a great expression Rocco. It is like you are dreading whatever Sean says next.

That's what I love about this forum. My sarcasm is never wasted on you guys.

[Sean Setters]

I have a shot in my head that I want you to try. It's a shot I've done a few times and it usually turns out well:


Ode: Contemplative by budrowilson, on Flickr


Haris: Still Looking by budrowilson, on Flickr

Put your flash with a modifier (LQ SB) a little behind you raking forward just a bit. The exact position of the mainlight is key to avoiding a large, unflattering nose shadow (I actually have the flash a little to far behind the subject in the first shot). You could put the reflector behind you as a back light (like the second shot) and use the on-camera pop-up as fill (very similar to the first shot's on-axis fill technique). I'd suggest gelling the flash with 1/4 CTO or 1/2 CTO for a bit of warmth if shooting inside (we're accustomed to seeing warm tungsten light inside).