Portrait C&C

[the_snude]

I am looking for some general C&C about this picture taken at the Plano Photo shoot:



This was shot with my 50/1.8 in natural lighting, with slight PP.

Thanks, everyone!

[adirty1]

A little tighter crop might be nice with a little less wall and less head space.
Unless you need the head space for text.

[bpjones]

I agree about tighter cropping to remove the big wall. I'd also try to edit out the distracting hair over her left eye. IMHO, people looking at portraits tend to focus on the eyes and shouldn't be drawn away from them- rather drawn to them.

[barP]

good concept, but the background and the wall are tough!

wp.

[Debbi]

I agree with Will's crop suggestion.

[the_snude]

Something like this?



The background is still blown out, but any smaller crop and it becomes very confining:

[eRoc]

I like the 2nd cropped one. Photoshop the hair out of her face. Its all over the place. Then its golden.

[the_snude]

Good call. Looks like I'll have to put in some more time on getting rid of the hair.

Thanks!

[loana0320]

I really like the image it has a lot of potential with a nice crop and a vignette
Beautiful model too!

[jasonhuang]

wait....what plano shoot???

[mmcmurr]

I once was told a general rule of thumb is to make sure your subjects eyes are at or above the top third. That said, I LOVE to break rules, but... this one would look better with the crop Will suggested above.

Of course, I was also taught, learn the rules, then break them.

[barP]

sweet! glad mike and i agree on something!



(inside joke about another thread....)

wp.

[toverman]

I like the suggested crops, but I'm probably the only one who likes the strand of hair over her eye. To me, it adds some interest.

As for the original shot, it's pretty good. Her head angle is pleasing, but her shoulders being so out of kilter (fixed by the tightest crop) might be something to look for as you're shooting. And I guess runaway hairs, too, as removing it will give you some pretty good practice in PS.

[canoflan]

Yeah, when in doubt, really crop in close. I learned this recently and my portraits, regarding composition, really jumped in quality. Also, watch the background and if you see the background is brighter than the subject, either you need to crop it out in camera, or use flash and under expose it as much as possible while getting a good soft light exposure on your subject. Whatever the subject is leaning on in this picture is a good framing technique and helps create contrast with your subject (I used this technique recently and has a picture with the same bright background and simply minimized the background by a super tight crop and included more of the wall the subject was leaning on).
Pat

[Donb10]

I hope you don't mind one more observation regarding your photo. Photography is just a hobby for me, I am retired so it is something I enjoy doing.

First, I agree the photography needs some cropping. However, its obvious from the tilt of her head and the angle of her shoulder that she is leaning against something. To me, this is obvious even if you have a tight crop. I like a little of the wall showing. I also like seeing all of her head, maybe it is just me but I don't like cutting off the top of her head in a shot taken outside.

I agree with a previous poster regarding the hair. It does not bother me. The photography was taken out doors where you don't have as much control. It would be different if it was shot inside. I also think this photography would make a good black & white conversion.

Good Luck.