p.1 #1 · c&c portrait of an elder, i'd like advice
This is my 93yr old nan. She's sharp as a pin(or L-prime if you'd prefer) but deaf as a post.
I'd like to do her justice in a portrait shot.
What could I do better? Either in shooting or PP.
Thanks in advance. Silver
p.1 #2 · c&c portrait of an elder, i'd like advice
Only you know what does her justice, captures her character and features best.
Has she seen them? What does she think? Or others who know her?
I've got a lot to learn on portraits. Main thoughts: Image is a bit too "head on" and a bit flat in terms of her expression. Catchlights are nice. I prefer the first over the second. Second has an unflattering sharpening, heightening her heavily lined face. Lips have a blotchy darkness on the left and shadows are too deep on the face. Toning is not especially appealing.
Scott
p.1 #3 · c&c portrait of an elder, i'd like advice
Agree with the poster who suggests that the image is too head on and too expressively flat. The first conversion is the best and the second has been horendously oversharpened. If you want to add definition to that lined and wise face, try boosting blacks or contrast rather than cranking up the sharpness. Also, she'll thank you for not using single light source. This can create an extremely dramatic image, but with someone of this age, it can be a little harsh.
p.1 #5 · c&c portrait of an elder, i'd like advice
Thanks all for the comments and advice, it shall be taken forward. The 2nd edit is what happens when you continue editing after your eyes stop focusing (and the brain has gone thwurrp.) now why isn't thwurrp in the spellchecker?
Thanks for all the re-edits too, given me plenty to think about.
p.1 #6 · c&c portrait of an elder, i'd like advice
It's cropped a little too tightly, makes me feel kind of claustrophobic. For lighting, maybe you could put something next to the left side of her head to throw a little light on that side of the face. Maybe bounce some flash off a wall, or just put up something large and reflective like a big piece of paper.
p.1 #7 · c&c portrait of an elder, i'd like advice
When I wanted to capture my nana, I took pictures of her baking bread. If the picture is for you, and can contain some of your memories, then a head shot might be ok. If you want other people to understand something about your grandmother from the image, you need to get her doing something that you think embodies her "essence" and only after you get that moment can you work on the processing...just a thought.
p.1 #8 · c&c portrait of an elder, i'd like advice
+1 for elmoreman and Mister Bean,
I recall images of my parents, mother in particular, are fairly closely cropped head shots - they hold meaning for me and perhaps immediate family, but do nothing to convey a message (or tell a story) about the "person". Thinking back, I have a picture of her tending roses which is much more telling than a recent, technically better, head shot.
Perhaps this is due in part to one's familiarity with the subject compared to how you would approach a non-family member.
