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I love taking portret pics and I received several Highly Commended awards fot this serie. This one i altered a bit. I love this serie to be critiqued and turn my next series into editors choices. ;o) Still have to learn a lot, so please members of ephotozine critique team i welome your advise.
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards
rhobbie
ps this photo is taken with natural light from the right. And a (nearly) plain background.
| Brand: | NIKON CORPORATION |
| Camera: | Nikon D700  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | 85.0 mm f/1.4 |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 2 Oct 2011 - 2:54 PM |
| Focal Length: | 85mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Aperture: | f/4.0 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/160sec |
| Exposure Comp: | +1/3 |
| ISO: | 800 |
| Exposure Mode: | Aperture-priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | No Flash |
| Title: | Elly |
| Username: | 
rhobbie |
| Uploaded: | 27 Oct 2011 - 3:31 PM |
| Tags: | Black & white, General, Portraits / people |
| VS Mode Rating |
100 (50% won) 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: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
There is a great feel to this portrait and i'd like to just vote for it;
But critique, OK her hair sticks out on camera left and this is drawing my eyes from her captivating eyes. the grey background and grey tshirt are starting to blend, have then wear a darker colour if possible or light the background more.
Crop, i might lose 10-20% on the right and 20-25% on the bottom of the pic as i feel she is looking out of the frame leaving space that's not adding to the image. No one ever always right so ignore comments you don't like.
It's a very effective style you have developed for your portraits Rhobbie. the soft focus is quite flattering. this is just a personal thing but I might like to see a bit more definition around the chin. The eyes are nice and sharp but the focus drops quite quickly away from this area. It works fine with her fringe but not so well to my eyes going in the other direction around the jaw.
I am just wondering about your camera settings. Are you deliberately using 800 iso to get come noise in the pic? Otherwise there is some leeway with your shutter speed at 1/160 to go for a slower speed and a lower iso.
Nice work
Catherine
Some good advice there, I think.
I agree with Stuart in that a tighter crop would probably work better and Catherine's comments regarding the DoF are also very valid.
I too like the softer approach you've adopted but I think that you needed to get just a little more of the face sharper.
Photographing people in glasses can be fraught with problems but you've managed it nicely here.
Overall, I think that this has a lot going for it. I like it a lot.
Bren.
First thing I would ask is that you upload exactly the same shot as the HC version. This is not only smaller, but considerably different in contrast and overall impact. The original image is quite superior to this version. Only then can the advice you want be meaningful.
regards
Willie
OK, - I was able to download your original 1000 pixel shot (wonder why you loaded a smaller version here?)
Its a very good shot, and for me thats simply because it is very natural, as are the others in your portfolio. Youve also got the focus correct on the eyes, through glasses, which is indicative of you thinking about what you wanted to achieve, and paying attention to details.
You used ISO 800, - I would recommend using a lower ISO, and if you want to get better portraits, use a tripod, and use the lowest ISO the conditions will allow if you dont have studio lights.
For this shot, I would lighten the eyes a little more and enhance highlights, - you can use a reflector to improve light directed at the face. Fill flash is worth trying, and getting some practice with. If the camera has a built in flash, simply force it to pop up, - it will not fire on full power, but will improve eye details and catchlights. Not a good idea though for a person wearing glasses.
I dont know of the heavy frame is part of the style, - if it is, thats fine, - if not, I would try a lighter, less restrictive frame.
Ive loaded a mod of your original shot.
Hope this helps,
Regards
Willie
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