Portrait Feedback Please!

[ThatOneGuy]

Hey guys,

Thank you very much for all your feedback! After seeing some of your comments I can definitely tell what you are talking about. I had a couple of those "duh" moments. As for the 3rd picture I knew something was off about it, but I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. But now that I see what you guys mean about the distortion due to me having my lens wide open I see what you guys mean. The posing I am still getting used to and getting some different ideas. These were within the first 200 pictures I had with my camera, so I am still trying to get used to it and lightroom 4. I am hoping that with all of your help and more experience I can definitely have the ability to create those 'wow' images.

Haha the model (aka my girlfriend) was not in a good mood that day and I was definitely in the dog house. I feel like it would be a little easier when the subject is more willing and wants to do it. She was in a better mood so we went out yesterday and did the pictures again at the same location so I could see what differences I was making compared to last time. We both had a lot more fun this time, until she realized she was wearing the same outfit as last time.lol.

Here are two more pictures that I took yesterday when we went out. I tried to have her pose a little differently and made her move around, but the weather was not cooperating that day.

Thanks again for all the input everyone!!!

[wickidwombat]

That squatting pose is really not good delete it from your shot list, very very unflattering to the poor girl
Also try not have straight joints  like the main supporting leg where knee is locked solid
and get her to wear heals it will make her poses a lot better due to creating better shape to her legs
Search for some posing guides there is a lot of resource around on the net get a few good poses and practice those shoting at different angles

[Andy_Hodapp]

The photos don't seem to me to be all that flattering, I'm sure she is very pretty in person but I recommend going closer to your subject, she shouldn't look like an ant.  Also try and draw attention more toward her face and eyes.  I'm the kind of person that thinks that the eyes should be the centerpiece.  Sometimes isolating your subject helps, just don't get carried away or lazy with shallow depth of field.  I would recommend for future shots to shot at 55mm as at 18mm the subject often looks a bit strange at such a wide angle.  Your photo editing seems to be good.  I'm not a professional, I'm just giving my advice, amateur to amateur.  If you are planning on doing more portraits, I would recommend picking up a 50mm 1.8 II, it's a great cheap lens that I use for all my portraits.  Here are some shots with my Canon T1i and the 50mm 1.8 II.

 

[picturesbyme]

That squatting pose is really not good delete it from your shot list, very very unflattering to the poor girl
Also try not have straight joints  like the main supporting leg where knee is locked solid
and get her to wear heals it will make her poses a lot better due to creating better shape to her legs
Search for some posing guides there is a lot of resource around on the net get a few good poses and practice those shoting at different angles

I was about to write the same... the pose on #2 is a no no.. seriously...
OK. I'm far from pro too so my 2Cs...
The others are too centered. Nice model but doesn't show much interest and the not too interesting backgrounds add to that... next 2 are better as far as the smiles but again the pose, the composition, the backgrounds "ruin" it for me.
Think about why, where what you shoot. What light, backgrounds you are using and what would you like to achieve with them. Think about composition. Be strict with yourself. Don't be afraid of getting rid of photos that are not your bests.. of course this will continuously change as you're getting better and better.
Try more than one versions (DOF, light, comp).
If you haven't done it yet look at videos on youtube. This is a pretty good place: http://www.youtube.com/user/adoramaTV/videos but only one of the many good ones..
If you are interested in portraits it would be a good investment to get a good lens preferably in the f1.4-2.8 area... even if it's a 3rd party... I always said lens 1st bodies 2nd..
But the most important... You're heading to the right direction just Keep shooting!

 

[Drizzt321]

Hey guys,

Thank you very much for all your feedback! After seeing some of your comments I can definitely tell what you are talking about. I had a couple of those "duh" moments. As for the 3rd picture I knew something was off about it, but I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. But now that I see what you guys mean about the distortion due to me having my lens wide open I see what you guys mean. The posing I am still getting used to and getting some different ideas. These were within the first 200 pictures I had with my camera, so I am still trying to get used to it and lightroom 4. I am hoping that with all of your help and more experience I can definitely have the ability to create those 'wow' images.

Haha the model (aka my girlfriend) was not in a good mood that day and I was definitely in the dog house. I feel like it would be a little easier when the subject is more willing and wants to do it. She was in a better mood so we went out yesterday and did the pictures again at the same location so I could see what differences I was making compared to last time. We both had a lot more fun this time, until she realized she was wearing the same outfit as last time.lol.

Here are two more pictures that I took yesterday when we went out. I tried to have her pose a little differently and made her move around, but the weather was not cooperating that day.

Thanks again for all the input everyone!!!

I think those 2 have better composition, although the posing can be improved I think. On the first one, you again have her squatting. If you could have her kneeling, or legs turned to the side, or sitting on something that'd be more flattering. When people are squatting like that, everything is visible, if you get what I mean. Otherwise, you might be able to crop up some for that photo and still get something usable.

I do notice something your model wants to keep doing, which is tilting/leaning her head off to the side to get the hanging hair. Does she look at a lot of bikini/fashion magazines? Sometimes they use those kinds of poses, hair hanging all the way off to the side. I'd recommend having something there to give the excuse for your model to lean against, or put her hand/fist/palm underneath her chin or lean the side of her head against rather than just having it suspended off like that.

The 2nd one I do like what you did with your composition, and the vignetting (darker edges/corners of the frame) which draws the eyes naturally more to her. Maybe move her a touch closer to the left edge of the frame for that shot, but that's just nit-picking and a maybe/maybe-not kind of thing. Also have her stand up straight. Head aligned more with her spine, and head level.

Just a tip for the future, be careful if you have her tuck her chin down and/or take a shot at an upwards angle with people as that can exaggerate their chin/nose or other things that makes the shot less flattering. Unless you are trying for that specific look at least. It's worth doing a couple of times as an experiment to see what it does, but otherwise avoid it in general.

But now that I see what you guys mean about the distortion due to me having my lens wide open I see what you guys mean.

In general, when we say wide open we're talking about the aperture being at it's widest (smallest f-number). In that case, the lenses was at it's widest focal length or it was a wide-angle shot. You'll get all the lingo, just pay attention and ask questions

[pdirestajr]

Not much more to add that hasn't been said. But in my opinion, the look of your model doesn't go with the background at all. She is smiling and posing as if she is taking a Senior portrait with her head tilted, hair to the side and bright smile... but then she is in front of this moody grungy background.

They just don't make sense together. If you are going for an environmental portrait (since it is all in focus I'm assuming you are), she needs to connect more to it. What is she doing there? What is the story you are trying to tell?

Or you can go to the other extreme and make her completely juxtaposed to the background by pumping up the bubblegum sweetness of her look. But she'd need a more extreme fashion choice for that.

Just my .02

[justsomedude]

That squatting pose is really not good delete it from your shot list, very very unflattering to the poor girl
Also try not have straight joints  like the main supporting leg where knee is locked solid
and get her to wear heals it will make her poses a lot better due to creating better shape to her legs
Search for some posing guides there is a lot of resource around on the net get a few good poses and practice those shoting at different angles

I was about to write the same... the pose on #2 is a no no.. seriously...

And here's a +3!

I saw that squat pose and gasped out loud.  Straight on pread leg squat poses of a female model with short shorts is totally unflattering and inappropriate - unless you're going for a porno type look.  "Nono - squat here, with your hands between your legs - really, it's gonna look killer!"  If this was a client you were taking on location for her senior photoshoot, her parents would smack the sh*t out of you... leave without paying... and then call the police.

So, not to beat a dead horse, but be more appropriate with your posing.  As wickidwombat suggested, google for posing ideas and basic guides.  Also, don't be afraid to take reference shots on a shoot.  I often times work from older photos, or even photos I've found online, to keep my creative juices flowing during a shoot.  It helps me come up with pose ideas when my mind goes blank, and shows the client you're committed to creating a quality product.  Remember, the model is relying on YOU to know how to pose them!

Other than that, keep up the good work.  Oh, and buy a cheap reflector.  More here, and here.  You can thank me later. 

[NotABunny]

Because a number of people have told you that squat poses are bad, I'd like the say the opposite. Ultimately, the scene that you photograph has a meaning and the elements have to fit with that. It's important to understand when a squat pose doesn't work.

The main problem is that I don't know what you were trying to do: fashion, candid... real-estate?

If you were doing fashion, like it appeared that you wanted, it doesn't work. But in a candid scene, it may work.

It may show too much erotism... yeah, so what? I say great! (But I would ask where is the style? If you're not going for style, great, but most people would see it as vulgar and therefore bad photography.)

It may show too much vulgarity... yeah, so what? Your problem in that case would be to do it with style.

So what is it that you want to do with it? Do you need to show / give it to people who (may) get ashamed because of a possible sexual innuendo?

Do you want to impress people who think that (good) photography is only when you are using the classic Hollywood lighting style for portraiture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbOsXQuS4GY)?

Do you need to show it to people who think that underexposed backgrounds and subjects overpowered by flashes (making everything seem stiched together like a studio shot with a wallpaper) constitues the main goal of photography?

By the way, what I see as really bad in that shot, is the crop right under her pubis.

[pdirestajr]

pubis

+1

[justsomedude]

pubis

+1

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHahahahhaha.  That +1 just made me snort my coffee. 

[Drizzt321]

@NotABunny

I mostly agree with all you said, but I think it's probably better to get some basics, the 'classic' stuff first. Once you start getting some experience and a feel for what you can do with photography, start venturing out and seeing what crazy things you can do that you like. Gotta know the rules before you break them kind of thing. Just my opinion though.

[Toronto]

I strongly believe some practice and reading are in order as well as pre shoot planning. The shots posted show one issue and that is lack of direction for the shoot more than anything else, I actually see that you have an idea of posing and some basic composition but simply not knowing what you wanted to shoot or what you wanted it to look like resulted in just shots of a girl in white shorts.

Sit down and plan what it is you are going to do, what results you want and what the subject expects and try again and you will see the difference.

[justsomedude]

I strongly believe some practice and reading are in order as well as pre shoot planning...

Sit down and plan what it is you are going to do, what results you want and what the subject expects and try again and you will see the difference.

A wise photographer once told me... "failure to plan, is a plan to fail."

[Drizzt321]

I strongly believe some practice and reading are in order as well as pre shoot planning...

Sit down and plan what it is you are going to do, what results you want and what the subject expects and try again and you will see the difference.

A wise photographer once told me... "failure to plan, is a plan to fail."

Actually, I think that's pretty much every profession. Another one I've heard is the 5 P's. Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.