Critique My Image

Rx4Photo

@WestEndFoto - as Spraynpray mentioned, I'd highlight the gentleman a bit more and tone down the noodles a little, especially in the middle where all of the light is. I never use the LR presets as they are. I'll use them as a starting point then make adjustments with the tools, then rename what I've created and keep that as a User Preset.

WestEndFoto

I almost never use lightroom presets, but then again, I almost never do monotone. Let me try that suggestion.

WestEndFoto

Thoughts?

Rx4Photo

Much better!! He along with the noodles now appear to be the primary subject in their own dimension with an interesting background.

WestEndFoto

I agree. That was good advice. I also darkened many of the bright areas in the background.

Msmoto

@WestEndFoto

I like the sepia print....as to the content, I understand some camera angles are difficult to change, but I might have done something a bit different, from over the shoulder, or from the end of the stuff he is kneading....

@ Spraynpray....there are no buildings which are leaning....there is a building which is not a typical shape... more like a triangle or one side is slanted.

As to the stuff in the photo.....it actually was just a shot in Chicago, mainly to show a typical street scene....

sevencrossing

@ WestEndFoto
I personally don't think the grain adds at all. Until I read the comments I could not understand how you had so much at ISO 100
I would crop a bit off the right and the bottom
the lights on the right seem to distract from the subject

heartyfisher

Re: the girl at the bush : I always thought cropping should avoid the joints of limbs ....

WestEndFoto

Thanks for all of this great feedback guys. I think that I have a much nicer image now and have learned quite a bit.

calengor

The second image, cropped to 5:4 and less space over her head:


and in color:


D750 | 35mm f/1.8 DX in FX mode @ f/1.8 | 1/400 sec | ISO 100

WestEndFoto

I really like these ones Calengor. Both the black and white and colour. My own artistic preference lends me to this aspect ratio whenever it is appropriate for the image.

There is one more small thing I would do. The shadow behind her head is better than before, but looks slightly unnatural to me as it is rectangular, while her head is round. I might think about rounding the shadow a bit.

heartyfisher

I think the bottom still feels a bit too truncated. You can balance that with a bit more crop off the top... ie remove a bit of the hair.. a bit like this random web image I found.
Well maybe not cropped as much but at least have the edge touching the hair..

spraynpray

This gets round the too high crop line of the bottom:

Msmoto

@heartyfisher

I would look at cropping about 15% off the bottom of your image. Nice B & W technique.

Msmoto

If everyone is playing with this one... my take, includes a lot of other than cropping...

calengor

Thanks @msmoto, @spraynpray, @westendphoto, and @heartyfisher!

I was attempting to do portraiture with a 35mm lens on a full frame camera, which is why the original shot is not as cropped in. I think if I wanted to do something like @heartyfisher's example picture I would just use an 85mm lens to avoid exaggerating her facial features. My idea for next time is to use a similar set-up but try out 35, 50, and 85 mm lenses.

heartyfisher

@heartyfisher

I would look at cropping about 15% off the bottom of your image. Nice B & W technique.

sorry not mine .. it was just a random google image, I included it as an example.

Benji2505

CC on which version you prefer and overall CC.

Thank you for PM'ing me and asking about my opinion, here it is:

I think one has to make up his mind what the subject is in the picture. Everything else is just distracting. I would have cropped out the skyline and made a torso shot out of it (unfortunately you have cut her off at the knee level, that prevents a full body picture). Higher arms would have made things easier.

I would have moved her away 3-4 ft from the green background, opened the aperture a little (blurr away details from the background) and pushed some light into her face. This way it is clear (and crisp) that her face (plus some torso) is the subject.

Rx4Photo

^^ I think this was covered somewhere else in this thread but I think Vipmediastar_JZ photographed this with a "model + architecture" theme in mind. Therefore, he actually wanted the buildings in the background as they too are a part of the subject. On the other hand, if it's just her, I agree with pulling her away from the greenery and shooting with a wider aperture to set her apart from the BG. Personally, I think she's just gorgeous and would love to see more of that shoot.

calengor

Here's another portrait for your comments/critique:

D750 | 85mm f/1.8 @ f/6.3 | 1/60 sec | ISO 100

Rx4Photo

^^
Almost looks like a selfie.
White balance - too reddish,
Crop - a bit cramped and you nearly sliced off a piece of her ear. Might look better if cropped similar to what heartyfisher showed above. Even better if she looked more directly at the camera.
Unbalanced Lighting - to hot on the forehead contrasting with the shadow below the cheekbone and under nose. The light does look soft which is good but unbalanced.

IMO, so much depends on what you truly wish to do with these portraits and head shots. If you've got people with patience enough to consistently work with you then keep at it. But do yourself good deeds by watching tutorials (Youtube) on lighting and portraiture. Ask your self "if I framed this what would it look like?"

Heres what ... get a section of white foamcore, Put a long strip of duck tape or gaff tape on the back side of it but make it so that the middle forms a handle ... loop it up ... so that you can use it as a handle. Go back to that same window or location to photograph her. You hold the camera with your Right hand as best you can (a tripod is even better), hold the "reflector" with your Left hand at varying distances and angles from her face pushing some of that light back on to her. Shoot several frames. See what you come up with and show us.

Also one extra tip ... don't have the girls standing with their shoulders square to the camera as in your photo of the girl against the paneled wall. If they don't move - move yourself. You're like the director of this photo - create it. Angle one shoulder more downward, the other slightly up. Look at VIP's shot up there. There's lots more but try that!

Sports

... so much depends on what you truly wish to do with these portraits ...

I think, it should be added, that IF you wanted a "different" and "in-your-face" portait, then you did pretty well with the last one. At least, I like it. The shot attracts the viewer much better than a "correct" but boring portrait. But adjustments could still improve it.
As a "real" portait, I agree that you need to learn more than just a good advice or two.
Personally, I have SOOOOOOOOOOO much to improve that I recently bought a handful of books. Nothing replaces actual trial-and-error, but you actually have lots of options for getting tonnes of advice taught to you in very good ways.

spraynpray

Rx4Photo has given good advice. I have watched his photography improve greatly over the years and his portrait work is now excellent IMHO.

Msmoto

@calengor

i would shoot this subject with a 135mm lens and glamour light....camera at nose level, nearly head no....just my starting thought.....

Rx4Photo

Thank you @ Spraynpray.