A few portraits from today

[996GT2]

A friend of mine wanted a few portraits, so I took some today on campus.

All were taken with my 70-210mm USM at between 125 and 175mm focal length.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Pic 6

Pic 5

Comments/suggestions?

 

[Fardringle]

I like 1 and 3 in spite of (or maybe because of) the fact that her face is centered in the frame since she's looking right at the camera and there's nothing distracting around or behind her. However, 2 and 4 make me wish that her face was to the side of the frame so I can have room to "imagine" what she might be looking at.

Also, simply as a personal preference, I would use some fill light to bring out the details of her hair. As it is right now, her hair is mostly just a dark shadow around her face in all but the first shot. This works better if you have the original RAW files so you can recover more of the detail in the shadows, and it's not something you "have" to do - it's just what I would do. 🙂

 

[spikespiegal]

between 125 and 175mm focal length

Which explains the unflattering 'pancake' effect on her facial features. Try using this lens at the shortest end for portraits.

Get closer to your subject for better framing.

Use fill - a large cardboard panel painted white will work wonders and often works better than fill flash.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
I like 1 and 3 in spite of (or maybe because of) the fact that her face is centered in the frame since she's looking right at the camera and there's nothing distracting around or behind her. However, 2 and 4 make me wish that her face was to the side of the frame so I can have room to "imagine" what she might be looking at.

Also, simply as a personal preference, I would use some fill light to bring out the details of her hair. As it is right now, her hair is mostly just a dark shadow around her face in all but the first shot. This works better if you have the original RAW files so you can recover more of the detail in the shadows, and it's not something you "have" to do - it's just what I would do. 🙂

I do have the original RAW files...I will try that, thanks

Originally posted by: spikespiegal

between 125 and 175mm focal length

Which explains the unflattering 'pancake' effect on her facial features. Try using this lens at the shortest end for portraits.

Get closer to your subject for better framing.

Use fill - a large cardboard panel painted white will work wonders and often works better than fill flash.

Thanks for the suggestion to use fill flash...I need to get a speedlight sometime.

As far as the focal length goes...I'll try it at 70mm, but I like the shallower DoF at the longer focal lengths. My 70-210 isn't a very fast lens in terms of aperture, so I try to use longer FL to bring out a shallower DoF. I do plan to get an 85mm f/1.8 or 100 f/2 soon though, so those would definitely solve that issue.

 

[corkyg]

I agree with Spikespiegel - get closer - fill the frame with the head and neck - forget the T-shirt. Also, I like my subject to look slightly away from me/the lens.

 

[rudder]

No need to have your subject punching herself in the face.

 

[Fardringle]

Originally posted by: corkyg
- forget the T-shirt.

While that would definitely make the photos more interesting, it would probably draw a crowd since the shots were taken on a college campus... 😀

 

[Fardringle]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
A friend of mine wanted a few portraits, so I took some today on campus.

All were taken with my 70-210mm USM at between 125 and 175mm focal length.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Comments/suggestions?

Did you change #4 on purpose, or was it an accident? At first it was a picture of her leaning back against a large tree trunk. Now she is standing partially behind a smaller tree. I liked the first one better. 🙂


edit: I don't remember exactly what it was before, but I think #3 is different as well.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Fardringle

Originally posted by: 996GT2
A friend of mine wanted a few portraits, so I took some today on campus.

All were taken with my 70-210mm USM at between 125 and 175mm focal length.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Comments/suggestions?

Did you change #4 on purpose, or was it an accident? At first it was a picture of her leaning back against a large tree trunk. Now she is standing partially behind a smaller tree. I liked the first one better. 🙂


edit: I don't remember exactly what it was before, but I think #3 is different as well.

I changed the links so they wouldn't be as big...I guess I messed up a couple of them.

I put up #5 as the one of her against the tree trunk.

Also added one more as Pic #6.

 

[Fardringle]

Yep, #6 is the photo that used to be linked to #3, and #5 is the shot that used to be #4. 🙂

 

[virtuamike]

#6 or whatever number it is

That's the only one I like. The others come off awkward, stiff, and posed. The key to portraits is to get their persona and presence to come through. Connect and keep things relaxed, organic, dynamic, and comfortable. Don't clutter it up.

As far as equipment and whatnot, you're fine. I wouldn't worry about getting new lenses just for portraits until you really feel the need to upgrade from your 70-210. Lighting could be cleaner, but it'd help more to develop an eye for light and understand what it's doing before throwing more gear at it.

 

[spikespiegal]

I'll try it at 70mm, but I like the shallower DoF at the longer focal lengths.

Seriously....take a full frame portrait at 70mm. Now step back and take full frame portrait at your longest focal length. Compare.

The longer the focal length, the more compressed facial features are, and the more weight it adds to women. 50-70mm on an APS dSLR is ideal for portraits. A 50-70mm at F2.8 or 4 should be enough DOF isolation.

If you're shooting waif thin super models who have a diet the consists mainly of broccoli and cocaine, then 200-300mm works fine to fatten them up 🙂

Again, you'll be shocked how much a simple piece of white cardboard held in front and below your subject helps. It looks far more natural than fill flash.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal

I'll try it at 70mm, but I like the shallower DoF at the longer focal lengths.

Seriously....take a full frame portrait at 70mm. Now step back and take full frame portrait at your longest focal length. Compare.

The longer the focal length, the more compressed facial features are, and the more weight it adds to women. 50-70mm on an APS dSLR is ideal for portraits. A 50-70mm at F2.8 or 4 should be enough DOF isolation.

If you're shooting waif thin super models who have a diet the consists mainly of broccoli and cocaine, then 200-300mm works fine to fatten them up 🙂

Again, you'll be shocked how much a simple piece of white cardboard held in front and below your subject helps. It looks far more natural than fill flash.

Linky

I agree with Stephen - big noses and backset ears aren't attractive. I see it less about "fattening" and more about how everything's put together.

 

[potoba]

i feel like they are a little out of focus or a little too soft.