Asking for feedback

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Permalink Reply by Jared Weaver on January 18, 2012 at 9:37pm

Overall you have the right idea. I'm not a portrait person but this image is quite striking. When shooting people, make sure to keep the eyes and face in sharp focus. I looked at the image blown up and you could do with some sharpening and minor blemish removal. 

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Permalink Reply by Johnnie Jackson on January 19, 2012 at 4:51am

Thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel L on January 19, 2012 at 6:37pm

Hey Johnnie, 

I'm no pro, so you can take what I say with a grain of salt...

Not bad for your first shoot!  I would consider a few things though, especially in a portrait shot like this, shoot vertical rather than horizontal, unless you have something in mind for all the extra space or are planning some type of crop thats different, but most 3/4 shots are done in a vertical style.  You want to focus on your model, not the empty wall around her.

You'll also want to increase your exposure speed, you've got a lot of blur in there, 1/30 of a second is a pretty long exposure.  Take a read through this...

 http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/08/02/high-speed-flash-sync/

I'd also consider toning down the ISO on your camera as its awfully high according to the exif data, as such you image appears a little soft, especially when enlarged.  I'd also consider upgrading your lens if you plan on doing this more often for your magazine.  Nikon's 18-105 is alright for day to day stuff, but if you're looking to shoot quality shots you might have to look into some better glass.  (the 70-200 f2.8 is particularly good for portraits! but of course that comes at a price).

I would also consider having the model stand a little further out from your backdrop, say 6 to 10 feet, play with it.

Take a quick read through this...

http://www.tutorial9.net/tutorials/photography-tutorials/profession...

I'd also consider a book by Scott Kelby... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321786610/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d5_g...

Oh and here is a quick touch up... (and I do mean quick.)

Good luck, have fun!  

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Permalink Reply by Johnnie Jackson on January 19, 2012 at 6:56pm

Daniel,

Thank you very much for your time!!

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Permalink Reply by Gary Vernon on January 21, 2012 at 7:10am

Wow!............ what a wasted opportunity,

in your support info - you say it was a "photo shoot"  -  was this a workshop course?

Second question is who was advising you to shoot at 1/30 in a studio environment?

You can sync flash at F8 and freeze the image giving yourself a tack sharp focus on the eyes?

Looks like you have a very professional model, let down by some poor technique taking the image..

I can't see the point in Daniel highlighting more a good background that actually gelled with the mid-tones of the image in the first place?

The point is this image is irretrievable because it's out of focus to start with and no amount of sharpening or substituting a whiter background will save it?

Get the subject further away from the backdrop, drop your ISO to base 100 and increase the power of the diffuse lighting to nail the exposure..

In other words if you have access to this model again - re-shoot the whole thing and pay attention to your settings..

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Permalink Reply by Johnnie Jackson on January 21, 2012 at 7:18am

Thanks for your comment Gary.

I'm an agent so getting a model to shoot is not a problem.

Nobody is advising me and I have no technical experience. I'm teaching myself to shoot from scratch. I shot her in auto and portrait mode.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Vernon on January 21, 2012 at 11:37am

Ok Johnnie,

i understand you are a beginner and teaching yourself -  there are loads of books and tutorials about for what is basic studio technique........ you have a model "to die for"  there, make the most of her next time you have the opportunity :)))

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Permalink Reply by Johnnie Jackson on January 21, 2012 at 12:24pm

Will do...

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Permalink Reply by Daniel L on January 21, 2012 at 12:12pm

Hey Gary, good points you mentioned, but I just wanted to clarify why I made mine. ;-)

I didn't advise him to shoot at 1/30, thats what he shot at.  I understand you are saying flash will freeze the image, though you are mentioning F8...I'm assuming you are referring to aperture? According to his exif data, his aperture was set to 5.6  Either way flash should freeze the subject.

The reason I mentioned the slow shutter speed was, for one, the blur in the image that appears to be either the model or the photographer moving slightly.  (Most notable around her arms in particular, perhaps she moved them as the shot went off...) The point being, it was a suggestion as I cant tell which flash mode he was shooting in...I'm just assuming again that it may  have been slow sync mode on his D90 of which would give him some blur if someone moved.  He was using the built in flash and two umbrellas, so no lighting would have been synced.  Again, either way, the longer that shutter is open, even with flash, the more motion is going to be invited into the photo. 

As for the background, his shot is unedited, I just took it and ran with it for literally about two minutes, and did the image the way I would have liked to have seen it in the end.  I just wanted to see a quick 'pop', warm it up a bit and have a look see.  

Youre right again though, its out of focus sadly and nothing will save that.  But hey, hes just beginning with his portrait work, so lots of room to improve.  I'll bet by this time next year he will have some impressive work! 

Good luck Johnnie! 

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