Portrait People - Give some Feedback on my first portrait

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Mike D90

Senior Member
I have already posted this as my Project 365 for today but I want to get a little more actual feedback and suggestions from the portrait people here.

This was my first ever portrait using off camera flash with a light modifier (Brolly Box) and strobe with radio trigger.

Tell me what is good and bad about this and how I can improve.

Shot at/with:
D90
18-70mm DX @ 52mm length
ISO 200
1/200th sec
F/6.3
Single umbrella/box
No ambient light


Self Portrait Large.jpg
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
good start. I have to agree with Just though. Move the light around to the front a little more so the shadow is not quite as harsh. Even better get a piece of white foam core like they use for school projects and bounce a little of the light back on the dark side of the face. Just fill in the shadows a little bit.
 
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Sharin

Senior Member
A piece of white foam core might be a good idea, also. It's about $2-3 and unlike poster board, it's stiff so it can be leaned on another chair to bounce light. Just a thought.
 
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Sharin

Senior Member
Mike, I like the image as it is. There's detail in the shadow areas and there are no highlights on the well-lit side. Since it's a self portrait I'd say leave it as is, if *you* like it. If it were for a male client I'd take one image lit as you've done here, but I'd also do another with the reflector.

I think this will make a great b&w conversion, too.
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
ShootRaw said:
If you try it again, shoot at 70mm if using that lens...Will give a better perspective...And some foamcore to fill in...
Click to expand...

And another question. Since I am shooting from inside my home with a 40" umbrella/brolly box I am limited to the height of the 7 foot ceilings. Is this an issue and should I drop to a smaller umbrella or smaller soft box to get more height out of the flash?
 
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Krs_2007

Senior Member
I saw something I haven't seen before in a video yesterday, they collapsed the umbrella to raise a bit and help direct the light onto the subject. Gave a very nice look and the subject was framed like you are. Also, you might try your 50mm.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I like the lighting. I think it's very good for this portrait. The only thing that bugged me a bit is the background is too close and I can see the texture of it. A larger lens opening might have left the background a little more out of focus. Or, even better if the space permits would be to move the subject away from it.
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
Marcel said:
I like the lighting. I think it's very good for this portrait. The only thing that bugged me a bit is the background is too close and I can see the texture of it. A larger lens opening might have left the background a little more out of focus. Or, even better if the space permits would be to move the subject away from it.
Click to expand...

That was the one thing I was bugged about too. I knew I should have had more distance between me and the background. I will get this one right when I shoot it again. A better background material would have helped also. Was all I had.
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
Moab Man said:
You have a great first shot with just a little dialing in needed. Good pose.
Click to expand...


Including what I wear! I could have chosen something different than that, but, I was mostly playing anyway and never expected this good a result at first. I used it as my Facebook pic.
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
It's only a gut feeling, but I suspect the clothes and hat are perfect. I say perfect, and only you could verify, but I suspect those clothes present the real you. At least that's how it feels to me. Am I right? If I'm wrong then it was Don's dumb idea. :)
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
Moab Man said:
It's only a gut feeling, but I suspect the clothes and hat are perfect. I say perfect, and only you could verify, but I suspect those clothes present the real you. At least that's how it feels to me. Am I right? If I'm wrong then it was Don's dumb idea. :)
Click to expand...

That is me! Drab, slightly wrinkled and plain colors, no patterns!

What does bother me is I did not check my front pockets to be perfectly closed. I hate seeing velcro strips.
 
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