Portrait Photography

[Gina]

Hi all,

Is there anyone here that specialises in portrait photography?

I'd like some critique on the images in my gallery and any help or advice. I belong to a few forums and the comments on my work are almost always good both in composition and technique. I have the most difficulty understanding f stops and ISO so tend to stick with auto settings. Any help on this in simple terms would be gratefully received.

I want to move forward with my work and am willing to learn.

Thank you kindly,

Gina

p.s. I feel very intimidated by the brilliant photography here, makes me feel my work is sub standard.

[DTD]

Re: Portrait Photography

Hi Gina,
I'd say you've got some good people pictures in your gallery.
I'd also say good photography has very little to do with f-stops, so don't worry about it – to a large extent exposure is just juggling f-stops, ISO and shutter speeds around to cope with whatever light there is.

If I'm being critical I'd say some of your poses look a bit forced. I'd suggest getting together a poses book – clippings of portraits you think are successful – for ideas.

Also if you get the chance work with a professional model do it. Once I got roped into a fashion shoot which I had no experience of whatsoever, but the model just did everything, I just had to press the shutter.

I'd also suggest you look at the work of really great portrait photographers – people such as Albert Watson, Jane Bown, Arnold Newman etc.

Ironically the place to find really great people photography isn't in photomags (unless you want to specialise in pictures of cameras) but in fashion or serious news magazines.

[Stephen]

Re: Portrait Photography

Hi all,

Is there anyone here that specialises in portrait photography?

I'd like some critique on the images in my gallery and any help or advice. I belong to a few forums and the comments on my work are almost always good both in composition and technique. I have the most difficulty understanding f stops and ISO so tend to stick with auto settings. Any help on this in simple terms would be gratefully received.

I want to move forward with my work and am willing to learn.

Thank you kindly,

Gina

p.s. I feel very intimidated by the brilliant photography here, makes me feel my work is sub standard.

Hi Gina, I've done a fair bit of portraiture in my time, though very little these days. I tend not to deal much with the public, so unless a company commissions me for personnel shots thats about my limit. I have though done fashion, glamour, and family style portraiture in the past.

The thing is that for most people on this site, photographing people in a formal situation is well out of their comfort zone, and lets face it you will know that on camera flash for indoors is generally not up to the job. Some extra gear, which most don't have or can't justify getting, is whats needed. It is possible to improvise of course, but you just can't beat having the right gear for studio style portraiture.

Your own work from what I see in your gallery is steadily improving, and you have some good stuff there. However I'd agree with DTD about some of the poses. He gives good advice about where to look for good examples, and esp about working with good models.

If you need a bit more help with camera settings then there is a good site HERE

If you want more comments on individual shots post them in the Critique forum, I don't think you can expect much critique in the Gallery alone and therefore you need to be up front about it and post them on the forums.

[Pol]

Re: Portrait Photography

p.s. I feel very intimidated by the brilliant photography here, makes me feel my work is sub standard.

DTD and Stephen have already posted infinitely more useful replies as I could as I'm one of those peeps who rarely does any sort of portraits, other than occasional private family stuff.

I feel compelled to comment on your p.s though! I reckon your work is certainly NOT sub standard and I agree with Stephen that you're improving all the time. You have some charming shots of the children too.

Pol

[Gina]

Re: Portrait Photography

Thank you very much for your advice and help. I will post some shots for critique soon and definitely start a clippings collection and look at the work of portrait professionals as mentioned.

I had not thought the poses were forced but I will take another look. Obviously some of the glamour shots may look that way but the shots of the children are as they were.

My sister is pregnant with her 7th child so we are already planning future shots of her belly and of course the birth and newborn photos, I can't wait.

Finally, thanks again for your help and advice.

Gina