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Archive 2013 · Another Military Portrait

Evan Baines
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Another Military Portrait

As usual, I am continuing to work on creating simple, classic portraits. This is an outstanding young officer and a good friend of mine who will be a great Army physician in a few years. As I've noted in previous threads, it is difficult to find this sort of simple portraiture done well these days, so I'm trying to resurrect some of the techniques and skillsets of this type of work.

http://www.evanbaines.com/fredmiranda/tm-1.jpg

setup shot:
http://www.evanbaines.com/fredmiranda/tm-2.jpg
The white reflector on right is actually blocking some of the lower portion of the window to get a better Rembrandt without light sneaking under his nose. The rim light is provide by the reflector high left. The windows are north-facing. I have closed the blinds except those from his side to improve the directionality of the light. He is seated to move the relative position of the light upward.

Oct 18, 2013 at 12:34 PM

eSchwab
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Another Military Portrait

As usual it's quite well done. It looks like you took some criticism to heart about the medals not being focus. No complaints, just good solid photography. Love the behind the scenes shot, laughed a little when I scrolled down and saw it.

Oct 18, 2013 at 12:42 PM

Evan Baines
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Another Military Portrait

eSchwab wrote:
As usual it's quite well done. It looks like you took some criticism to heart about the medals not being focus. No complaints, just good solid photography. Love the behind the scenes shot, laughed a little when I scrolled down and saw it.

Thank you!

I decided to use light rather than focus to get the dimensionality in this one that I was looking for... Its a different approach.

And I figured folks would get a kick out of the setup shot.

Oct 18, 2013 at 12:52 PM

neighbourboy
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Another Military Portrait

Hi Evan,

I haven't had much time for FM lately, but I'm coming outta the woodwork on this one. One thing that I really enjoy about this photo is that he has a very upbeat expression. While he doesn't have a full out smile, looking at his eyes - they look like he's smiling. It seems that often times these sort of picture appear so stern and this is just much different. Of course the soft light also helps with the good mood. Just a really nice job.

The setup shot cracks me up, too. It reminds me of the story of my interview with the company that I currently work for. I found out years later that one of the gentlemen who was interviewing me was running late from a sand volleyball game during lunch and didn't have time to change. So he just threw on a shirt and tie, but left his shorts and sandals on. From the desk up, all I could see what his shirt and tie, but he was really worried that I'd look under the desk and see his sandy shorts and sandals. I never did look under the desk, but I had a good laugh, when he told me about it, years later. So thanks too, for that memory :-)

--David

--David

Oct 18, 2013 at 10:34 PM

popinvasion
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Another Military Portrait

I think the picture is great but everything should be sharp. I see softening in his hair which is nit picking..

Oct 19, 2013 at 02:48 AM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Another Military Portrait

Nothing to crit, not even a name tag. Could use more breasts and VSCO, maybe?

Oct 19, 2013 at 06:20 AM

CW100
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Another Military Portrait

good portrait, thx for the setup shot

Oct 19, 2013 at 07:37 AM

Evan Baines
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Another Military Portrait

Thank you all for the feedback!

David, it was definitely my intention to get away from the severity of expression in "official" photographs. I also took some where he is smiling, but I found this to be a nice compromise between warmth and a distinguished presence.

Oct 19, 2013 at 05:07 PM

gheller
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Another Military Portrait

Great expression, but the brighter area is behind him (if that makes sense).

See how his left shoulder is farther back, yet brighter?

Pretty nice overall, but a reversal of the light pattern (having him turn the other way would have solved this) would make it REALLY shine.

thanks for the in-focus bling!

greg

Oct 20, 2013 at 02:03 PM

SloPhoto
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Another Military Portrait

Evan, as usual, great work.

I will say though I wish the key was coming from a touch further forward. Possibly the blinds that are closed / visible in the BTS shoot? I am not sure if you would have gotten the contrast ratio you were looking for though.

Oct 20, 2013 at 09:20 PM

Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Another Military Portrait

I really like the image, Evan.
It's really well done- and conveys the strength and dignity of the man and the military.
Then I saw the set-up.
After my initial chuckle (because it IS funny), I looked again at the first shot.
The man and the officer had lost some of their dignity.
Your peers like the inclusion of this set-up, and I'm a mile from being a peer for this kind of work.
So I'm just giving my reaction as an enjoyer of photographs and the thoughts they often convey to me.
I probably shouldn't even post this, but I do so with no meanness of intent.
Just one person's honest reaction.
Charlie

Oct 20, 2013 at 11:22 PM

Evan Baines
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Another Military Portrait

Thank you all for the feedback! It is always appreciated.

Oct 21, 2013 at 07:33 AM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Another Military Portrait

Evan,

Thanks for the pull back. That demonstrates to those new to photography that classic photos can be done without a lot of fancy equipment.

As always, your work is clean and elegant.

Oct 21, 2013 at 08:07 AM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Another Military Portrait

gheller wrote:
Great expression, but the brighter area is behind him (if that makes sense).

See how his left shoulder is farther back, yet brighter?

Pretty nice overall, but a reversal of the light pattern (having him turn the other way would have solved this) would make it REALLY shine.

thanks for the in-focus bling!

greg

\

Could you elaborate on how/why this matters?

Serious question, I don't understand at all what you're saying.

Oct 21, 2013 at 01:39 PM

gheller
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Another Military Portrait

Yeah, just a small nit.

I prefer to have the brighter area closer to the camera, if that makes sense.

Not too important, the image is fine as is...

greg

Oct 21, 2013 at 02:29 PM

BKphotography
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Another Military Portrait

I happen to think having photography as a skill in addition to your main area of expertise is a massive feather in your cap.

You conquered photography and have moved onto bigger and better things Evan.

Wish I could do something similar!

Nice one mate.

Oct 22, 2013 at 05:25 AM


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