Asked a beautiful woman on my campus if I could take her portrait. Probably should have grabbed her information so I could send her the photo after the edits. Basic color grade and frequency sep were done. Tell me what you guys think I could improve on please!
Canon EOS R5RF50mm F1.2 L USM lens50mmf/4.01/160s100 ISO0.0 EV
I think it is a nice street portrait, but it might be too sharp or gritty (something). I think she would really like the image, but picky people would say that she has some peach fuzz on the left side (her right cheek). Not a bad thing, but for some, might not be what they want to see.
The lighting is really nice. Assume you had a flash, or there was a bright light above and to your right that you used as the main, and the background light looks natural and pleasing.
I believe it is a very fine portrait of her Marcus! She is very beautiful and presents herself very well with very little cosmetic enhancements! Great smile, wonderful eyes, lovely skin.....The "hot spots" on her cheek and forehead are something many portrait photographers grapple with. They are considered undesirable.
She appears to be of a ethnicity that has naturally dark colored skin pigment.
Soft focus is a desired effect in many cases. Post processing can lessen the hot spots , and "peach fuzz", if you feel they are too much of a distraction.
Personally I would try to be at the place on campus where she passed by with maybe a chance of seeing her again. That would be great! Then discuss with her what her impressions might be and get her email and phone number...if you are single.!
But overall, IMHO it is a fine composition Marcus!
Dan
RWNPhoto wrote:
I think it is a nice street portrait, but it might be too sharp or gritty (something). I think she would really like the image, but picky people would say that she has some peach fuzz on the left side (her right cheek). Not a bad thing, but for some, might not be what they want to see.
The lighting is really nice. Assume you had a flash, or there was a bright light above and to your right that you used as the main, and the background light looks natural and pleasing.
First off thank you for the kind words, I was debating on removing the peach fuzz on her cheek. I'm really struggling with what I would consider to be too much editing when it comes to portraiture. When you say to sharp to mean as in the focus is to sharp so go shallower with the aperture?
Danpbphoto wrote:
I believe it is a very fine portrait of her Marcus! She is very beautiful and presents herself very well with very little cosmetic enhancements! Great smile, wonderful eyes, lovely skin.....The "hot spots" on her cheek and forehead are something many portrait photographers grapple with. They are considered undesirable.
She appears to be of a ethnicity that has naturally dark colored skin pigment.
Soft focus is a desired effect in many cases. Post processing can lessen the hot spots , and "peach fuzz", if you feel they are too much of a distraction.
Personally I would try to be at the place on campus where she passed by with maybe a chance of seeing her again. That would be great! Then discuss with her what her impressions might be and get her email and phone number...if you are single.!
But overall, IMHO it is a fine composition Marcus!
Dan ...Show more →
Not gonna Lie Dan, I'm a huge fan of your work. I've literally told my instructor that the photography you do is what I aspire to create so I greatly appreciate the kind words!
I'll have to look into ways to deal with the hotspots for my little quick flash setup.
I saw that RWNPhoto said the same thing about soft focus so I will have to look into this more to make sure I understand what you guys mean.
I was debating on the "peach fuzz" I just wasn't sure if it would be too much removed from the original. The original before the edits is what I'm adding to this.
Thank you once again Dan.
Canon EOS R5RF50mm F1.2 L USM lens50mmf/4.01/160s100 ISO0.0 EV
Marcus Walker wrote:
Not gonna Lie Dan, I'm a huge fan of your work. I've literally told my instructor that the photography you do is what I aspire to create so I greatly appreciate the kind words!
I'll have to look into ways to deal with the hotspots for my little quick flash setup.
I saw that RWNPhoto said the same thing about soft focus so I will have to look into this more to make sure I understand what you guys mean.
I was debating on the "peach fuzz" I just wasn't sure if it would be too much removed from the original. The original before the edits is what I'm adding to this.
Thank you once again Dan.
...Show more →
You are most kind Marcus! I do not do any portrait photography that makes good photography. I tend to classify portrait photography into "styles". This may not be the word others use but it is how I "see" portrait photography for lack of a proper photographic vocabulary.
NOW a note...I may be making some "generalizations" here so forgive me...I don't mean to..
The traditional, the lifestyle type and then the glamour...not "thee" only styles by any means...I believe that each style I mentioned has overlap in each other style.
Lighting is the key issue for me. I tend to prefer all natural lighting but that is realistic in many ways. Many photographers use the word "essence" in their description of "their" shooting style. I believe that all "styles" contain that parameter. I prefer to rank styles as "planned" aka studio, make up, lights, backdrops...some , none or all....not saying anything negative about this style or ANY style/category one places images like yours into.
Your note that she was on campus and you saw and asked her in an impromptu moment...lighting can be natural or minimal..I see lights in this young woman's eyes so you envisioned that as a possible use prior to shooting her I suspect. Find NOTHING wrong about this at all!
She is definitely at ease with you and the camera. Not that the other "styles" aren't but the other "styles" require some fore knowledge of the event. Again NOTHING wrong with that.
I would class your composition as "lifestyle"...In the moment..relaxed..on location..not pre-rehersed, casual...everyday situations, and the "what you see is what you get" background wise. Of course that premise is very fluid. It is something YOU control.
Portrait photographers also try to portray their subject in a manner that reflects their identity or personality..kudos to that!
One thing that has a common thread my entire "take" is that, if you are not a pro, basic photography, in ANY style should be a road to how YOU, as a photographer "see" portrait photography and what it TAKES to make a smile on your face and that of your subject.
There are some super portrait photographers here! Best I have viewed ever...Published or not...
If this beautiful young woman is one of your first..WELL DONE! The first step is the hardest. You got that ok!
Just my $.02!
Look forward to more.
Dan
NOW I do see some very minute differences in image1 and 2(1 strand of hair on her forehead)....not negatives just differences...
You are most kind Marcus! I do not do any portrait photography that makes good photography. I tend to classify portrait photography into "styles". This may not be the word others use but it is how I "see" portrait photography for lack of a proper photographic vocabulary.
This is where I start to see the levels to photography as an art form.
NOW a note...I may be making some "generalizations" here so forgive me...I don't mean to..
The traditional, the lifestyle type and then the glamour...not "thee" only styles by any means...I believe that each style I mentioned has overlap in each other style.
Lighting is the key issue for me. I tend to prefer all natural lighting but that is realistic in many ways. Many photographers use the word "essence" in their description of "their" shooting style. I believe that all "styles" contain that parameter. I prefer to rank styles as "planned" aka studio, make up, lights, backdrops...some , none or all....not saying anything negative about this style or ANY style/category one places images like yours into. ...Show more →
Ok I can understand how you compartmentalize it.
Your note that she was on campus and you saw and asked her in an impromptu moment...lighting can be natural or minimal..I see lights in this young woman's eyes so you envisioned that as a possible use prior to shooting her I suspect. Find NOTHING wrong about this at all!
She is definitely at ease with you and the camera. Not that the other "styles" aren't but the other "styles" require some fore knowledge of the event. Again NOTHING wrong with that.
I would class your composition as "lifestyle"...In the moment..relaxed..on location..not pre-rehersed, casual...everyday situations, and the "what you see is what you get" background wise. Of course that premise is very fluid. It is something YOU control.
Portrait photographers also try to portray their subject in a manner that reflects their identity or personality..kudos to that! ...Show more →
The idea was just to get out of my comfort zone a little more and get use to approaching random people and asking if I can shoot a portrait of them. The other thing I wanted to experiment with was how quickly I can set up my little off camera flash and dial everything in. She was a little nervous. I had to talk to a bit to put her at ease.
One thing that has a common thread my entire "take" is that, if you are not a pro, basic photography, in ANY style should be a road to how YOU, as a photographer "see" portrait photography and what it TAKES to make a smile on your face and that of your subject.
I can understand that. Finding my "vision" or art style.
There are some super portrait photographers here! Best I have viewed ever...Published or not...
If this beautiful young woman is one of your first..WELL DONE! The first step is the hardest. You got that ok!
Just my $.02!
Look forward to more.
Dan
NOW I do see some very minute differences in image1 and 2(1 strand of hair on her forehead)....not negatives just differences...
I agree with that. Lots of very talented individuals with lots of knowledge as well. I was very happy when I found this website. I appreciate the insights and viewpoints that you've made. In the future, just so you know, I don't get offended easily so you don't have to worry about offending me when you make statements.
Marcus Walker wrote:
This is where I start to see the levels to photography as an art form.
Ok I can understand how you compartmentalize it.
The idea was just to get out of my comfort zone a little more and get use to approaching random people and asking if I can shoot a portrait of them. The other thing I wanted to experiment with was how quickly I can set up my little off camera flash and dial everything in. She was a little nervous. I had to talk to a bit to put her at ease.
I can understand that. Finding my "vision" or art style.
I agree with that. Lots of very talented individuals with lots of knowledge as well. I was very happy when I found this website. I appreciate the insights and viewpoints that you've made. In the future, just so you know, I don't get offended easily so you don't have to worry about offending me when you make statements.
...Show more →
Now get out there and put all your knowledge to good use!
My philosophy is if it pleases me..it is good! If I please someone else that is even better.!
Dan
Its a fine portrait Marcus. Sometimes we can't analyze every single technical detail. If it was a photoshoot in a studio with many different poses you would have more time to evaluate your lighting, f stop, and taming the insane detail of a Canon R5 with filters, processing or softer lighting.
As Rolando and I state...."Repetition is the Mother of Learning"....the more you involve yourself in your photographic journey, the easier it will become. It will become "2nd nature for you!"
The "first step" will be the hardest. You took that..Now let's see more please Marcus!!
Dan
! 
