Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

CC Natural Portrait Lighting

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • CC Natural Portrait Lighting

    If you get a moment, please would you give me your comments and critique on this shot? I've been experimenting with natural light and a gold reflector today and am very pleased with this image of my daughter.
    Thank you

    Gina


  • #2
    Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

    Very good picture, I like the crop and everything but I just don't like the hair over her eye. Looks a bit too bright around her left eye, side of face if you could get that toned down a bit, maybe burn it a bit then that would look better but I am no expert in these things, just like this pic.














    (is she single?)

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

      I rather like the picture Gina, the reflector has given a soft, warm feel of evening light and its not so harsh as to burn out the highlights and give heavy shadow on the right of the face. So a good result for me. Not bothered about the hair over the eye, but feel the image could be sharper. It will sharpen a bit in PS but its so compressed here that the picture begins to break up with jpeg artefacts, so perhaps try sharpening the uncompressed version after its downsized for the web. You could also try some selective sharpening round the eyes
      Stephen

      sigpic

      Check out my BLOG too


      Comment


      • #4
        Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

        Hi Gina -

        I think you have done well with this. I'm trying to learn more about taking portraits and you have taught me a little more today - thanks.

        Regards. Barr1e

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

          No special critique - I don't know enough about portraits. I do know I like the photograph, the pose, the crop, and the very soft lighting that you have achieved.

          Well done Gina, I am sure your daughter must be delighted with the result.
          Audrey

          https://www.flickr.com/photos/autumn36/

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

            I like this and the position and angle of the head in the frame, dare i say it 'sexy' look
            The hair across the eye is not really an issue and agree that it is a little soft.
            I do think the picture could have come out alot better if the light was not as harsh.
            Hope you took some more and experimented with the light source and camera settings!
            http://www.ftmphotography.co.uk

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

              I like it, and the "natural" golden light. Can't offer any more I'm afraid, because I know little or nothing about portraits.
              carolannphotos.smugmug.com / webleedmusicmedia.com

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

                Originally posted by ekkl View Post
                Very good picture, I like the crop and everything but I just don't like the hair over her eye. Looks a bit too bright around her left eye, side of face if you could get that toned down a bit, maybe burn it a bit then that would look better but I am no expert in these things, just like this pic.

                (is she single?)
                Thanks ekkl for your input on this portrait, we were lucky to have the late afternoon sunlight so using the gold reflector was a huge learning experience. I love capturing people in natural light as I still can't afford a decent lighting kit so it's just a well! Agree about the light around the left eye so will try to edit but nevertheless, I'm pleased with my first try with a reflector.

                ===================================

                Stephen.

                I am very pleased you like this image, I will set up the tripod next time and take a bit longer over the settings and I'm not making excuses but we also have my 2 year old very active and inquisitive grandson running around and doing mischevious things, timing is crucial. I guess the likrly cause is camera shake.

                ----------------------------------------------

                Hello Barrie,

                Thank you for commenting. I'm learning all the time so glad I was of help to you.

                """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" """"""""""""""""

                Hi Audrey,

                Glad you like the portrait, my daughter is delighted.

                #################################

                Hi Ash,

                Nice to get your feedback.

                I took about 15-20 shots all with slightly different hues and contrasts etc. I chose to ask for critique on this image in particular because it was the first one I really liked that had minimal editing and that was very satisfying. I am still experimenting and learning about the manual settings and how everything comes together using available light and will be pestering the forum for more critique as and when I take the shots.

                ----------------------------------------

                Hi Caz, thanks for taking time to give me your comments.

                ================================

                Finally, I am wondering if there are any other portrait photographers on DP Now that can give me advice from time to time, or even point me in the right direction. I am a member of other photo sites but don't get the professional advice that I need, and whilst I appreciate 'nice image' comments on the other sites, I am craving more professional critique.

                Kindest regards to you

                Gina

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

                  A very nice natural pose & like the lighting very much! Don't know enough about portraiture either to comment beyond that! Well done!
                  Jocelyn

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

                    okay let say first that i like this shot; now having said that, let me offer a professional critique.

                    a head turn with the eyes looking back at the viewer is called a "hook." it is very popular especially with advertisers. it gets your attention. the subject's face is almost but not completely in the "two-thirds view" of the face. in portraiture this the most flattering angel for most people because it narrows a round face. a true 2/3's would had stopped at where just a little skin is visible holding the far eye in. the lighting is a short loop. it's called short because the majority of it is illuminating the far side of the face, away from camera. the loop refers to the shadow created by it from the nose. one problem here, never let the loop touch the lips. when this happens, at times it changes the expression mentally and gives the feeling of a slight snarl. about the eyes, the hair doesn't bother me as much as the excessive brightness of the white on the far side. i got a mental contrast thing going with the brightest point pulling me away from the rest of the face. sharpness, i'm okay here-matter of taste.
                    nice portrait, good looking daughter.
                    john

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: CC Natural Portrait Lighting

                      Originally posted by kennykodak View Post
                      okay let say first that i like this shot; now having said that, let me offer a professional critique.

                      a head turn with the eyes looking back at the viewer is called a "hook." it is very popular especially with advertisers. it gets your attention. the subject's face is almost but not completely in the "two-thirds view" of the face. in portraiture this the most flattering angel for most people because it narrows a round face. a true 2/3's would had stopped at where just a little skin is visible holding the far eye in. the lighting is a short loop. it's called short because the majority of it is illuminating the far side of the face, away from camera. the loop refers to the shadow created by it from the nose. one problem here, never let the loop touch the lips. when this happens, at times it changes the expression mentally and gives the feeling of a slight snarl. about the eyes, the hair doesn't bother me as much as the excessive brightness of the white on the far side. i got a mental contrast thing going with the brightest point pulling me away from the rest of the face. sharpness, i'm okay here-matter of taste.
                      nice portrait, good looking daughter.
                      john
                      Hi John,

                      Thank you for this thorough information, it was the first time using a reflector and was amazed how much it changed the light. I had my daughter hold the reflector on her lap tilted upward. I've not heard about the 'hook' before but understand what you're talking about, fascinating stuff and much appreciated. Your professional critique is always received well by me, I know how experienced you are and value your opinions more than I can say.

                      p.s. my daughter takes after her mother!

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X