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I've seen many a good portrait technique article in the various magazines over the years that show what excellent results can be achieved with a simple black sheet and natural daylight. This attempt by myself is a result of finally being inspired to try it.
A black sheet pinned to the ceiling and one light source (the bedroom window) with no refelctors. I used the camera's monochrome setting, not something I usually do but the light wasn't all that great and I know my poor little Fuji (bless its digital heart) doesn't cope all that well with noise in lowlight colour images. Centre-weighted metering taken from the subjects face.
Post processing required little more than a slight curves adjustment to improve contrast and darken the background a little more as well as a few minor incidents of blemish removal.
The subject is my fiance' and I was hoping to capture her in a way that would display her strong character and steadfastness along with her soft caring and gentle side that I see in her every day. I like to think I've succeeded.
If there is one thing that niggles me about the image it's the loose strands of hair protruding from her chin. Easy to remove from the black background, but a little more delicate clone work would be required for the strands that continue on over the hair that covers her shoulder.
| Camera: | Fuji S9600 |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Title: | Amy - Profile Portrait |
| Username: | 
MKL27 |
| Uploaded: | 5 Jan 2008 - 11:04 AM |
| Tags: | Amy, Beauty, Black & white, Girl, Natural light, Portrait, Portraits / people, Profile, Woman |
| VS Mode Rating |
Unrated These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | 12 |
Comments
Hi Peter
Many thanks for your critique, I think it will prove very useful. I feel my photography has reached a certain level where I can feel fairly proud of what I create, and it's certainly enough to wow family, friends and colleagues who perhaps view photographs with something less than a critical eye. That said, I still know that I am nowhere near as proficient as I want to be and it's the little details such as you've pointed out that I need to become more adept at noticing and rectifying. The focus issue on the eye, well I did do as you suggested, focus locked and recomposed (I always do) and didn't notice at first. However, after studying the A4 print I made of this I think you're right, with the focus appearing to be on the lips. I'll need to watch my technique and attention when focusing such a shot again. The hair? Well, yeah... no escape for me, I'll have to get busy with the clone tool. I also agree about the catchlight on the nose, if only I could afford a make-up artist!! They'd also be useful as a second pair of eyes to catch things like the hair before I take the shot too... I'll be giving this another go and I'll try your tip regarding the orientation of her shoulders. I'll post the result when I'm done.
Again, a big thankyou for taking the time to offer your comments. It's been a great help.
Mark
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