portrait?  by bcurrie

portrait?

okay, 365 friends. i need a little help. i know i post plenty of 'people' shots (mostly of my own peeps!) but they are all candid shapshots. but i'd really like to improve in taking portraits. not posey, formalish portraits, but still somewhat candid GOOD shots. of the 'hang on the wall' variety. (as opposed to the 'slide in an album' or perhaps 'slip into a frame' type).
so. here's an accidental attempt. my oldest son is allergic to having his picture taken. or something like that. but i snapped this shot of him yesterday, and i just think he looks so handsome! i do like the bit of processing i did, but i'm not crazy about the shadow behind him. i'd love your 'constructive criticism'. what can i do differently/better?
Wow, what a handsome kid! I'm sure the girls go craz-y for this one. As for any critique help I am not a technical expert, so I tend to improve candids by cropping closer to the face (will eliminate elongated neck with odd collar) and rotate the angle a bit (will draw attention away from the shadow and will add interest to his great features). That said, I don't think the shadow is really that noticeable the way you have most of it cropped now. And, I like the way he is looking away from the camera.

September 1st, 2010  
Hi Brett, your son sure is a handsome devil, unfortunately I don't know how to answer your q. there are lots of free tutorials on line if you have time to google them and wade through all the results. Couple of sites I have looked at are :
http://kenrockwell.com/tech/basics.htm
http://www.photility.com/
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/
http://www.geofflawrence.com/photography_tutorial_portraits.php

Hope you can get something out of these sites..
September 1st, 2010  
for the problem shadow, have the subject stand a few feet or more away from the wall. for this photo, i would just clone in the top left corner and behind his neck with the shadow color so it fills the frame. it won't be noticiable at all after that.
September 1st, 2010  
September 1st, 2010  
I agree with Shannon. I would clone the area behind the neck and the top corner to match the shadow color and you'll never be able to tell. Sometimes it's not that simple though. I'm still trying to figure out how to eliminate shadows as well.
Regarding your comment about my lens, I DID get it back. It was found on the football field at the high school and the guy that was doing the mowing on the riding lawnmower, ran over it!! It cracked both the front and the back lens cover, but it still works perfect. Did not mess up the lens at all, and thankfully I have extra lens covers & caps. =) I got lucky, and my lens is surely a trooper! :]
September 1st, 2010  
Your welcome :)
September 1st, 2010  
Brett, there are many on here that have been demonstrating some really good talent when it comes to portraits. I stink at portraits, unless it's outside. Whenever I try inside portraits I also get the dreaded shadow. I know they say positioning is important, but I am going to refer this question to the ones who have fine tuned their portrait talent. Your Son is quite photogenic, so if you can get someone to show you how to avoid the shadows you will be able to capture some really nice shots, and once he sees what you can do, he might be a little less "allergic" to your camera.
September 1st, 2010  
What I wouldnt give to have more talent and the ability to share it! I see you've had some very nice suggestions from some of the real talent around here, and isn't it wonderful to be about to reach out like that?! With sons that look fabulous in front of the camera, it's understandable you'd like some portrait assistance. Looking forward to seeing what suggestions you can apply and I hope your boys will be willing models!
September 1st, 2010  
He does look handsome--I think it turned out fabulous, Brett.
Re; haha--yes, a Webkin. Too funny I need to gather them and sell for 20$ a pop now....
September 1st, 2010  
Is your son on 365 now? (: (: My daughter is on 365 too--and she'll be 11 in January. My younger one is on 365 too, but she has a harder time keeping up with the posting, she's 8. A family hobby....
September 1st, 2010  
I'm so glad I found this picture and post! I was thinking the SAME thing today...that I would love to learn how to do portraits. I'm almost scared to take them because I have no clue how. This was very informative. Thanks everyone! AND, your son is an absolute heartbreaker!! i really love this shot!
September 1st, 2010  
wonderful shot! he is such a handsome dude =) it sounds like you have gotten some good advise already and tips i am going to look into. so thank you for asking the question. I really like his eyes here...great shot
September 1st, 2010  
yeah, he is dreamy with those green eyes! I like a lot about this photo. The lighting in his hair looks great. I agree that a collar would probably add a lot and I have been amazed at the advice to kill shadows. Wonderful question! Feel like I have been to a mini seminar. :)
September 1st, 2010  
very handsome- love the retro feeling of this photo :)
September 1st, 2010  
Nice pic, lots of tips I'm still looking at! Noted the 200mm and iso 800, maybe try surprising him and shooting at iso 200 and 105mm or lower
September 1st, 2010  
I like portraits that are more candid. It's just my personal opinion. Those are the pictures that really display the person's personality... I'm looking forward to all the advice that you have received because I need to learn this as well.
September 1st, 2010  
THANK YOU SO MUCH everybody for all the tips and encouragement!! i really appreciate it!! you guys are awesome--i love my 365 friends!!
September 1st, 2010  
that guy looks just like my brother. wait a second...that is my brother! (:
September 1st, 2010  
He is a handsome guy! you are going to be beating the girls off with a stick:)))
September 1st, 2010  
Nice picture Brett. For portraits I usually turn off the flash. It tends to create hard shadows and reduces the depth. If possible outside lighting is good. Inside a single source light to the side of you works well. It is something to experiment with, if you have a willing subject. Good Luck.
September 1st, 2010  
That sure is a handsome boy ya got there!! He is so precious! I wish I could give you advice but in reality I'm gaining valuable information off your post! so thank you! haha
September 1st, 2010  
That's a wonderful portrait, Brett!! You've done a great job! All the info everybody provided seems very useful! It's so wonderful that we can learn from one another! ;-)
September 1st, 2010  
I cannot envision it any better ~ sorry I'm no help at all except to say do you believe in arranged marriages?
September 1st, 2010  
you guys are all AWESOME! it is really so incredible that so many people are willing to share tips, advice, encouragement, and just plain kindness!! thank you!!
September 1st, 2010  
shauna--i am ALL OVER IT!! i can have a contract drawn up and ready for signatures before we meet!! (:
September 1st, 2010  
This is awesome!
September 1st, 2010  
thought it would be easiest to respond here so you would get it :) all of my mother's family lives on the north coast of scotland (i was born and spent my early years in england) so we go to visit when we can! i encourage anyone to go...talk about serious photo opportunities! i'd be happy to give you travel advice if you decide to go!
September 1st, 2010  
:-) Thanks for the vote-of-confidence...it was definitely action!
September 1st, 2010  
The moment I saw your words, Christian the Lion, I knew what you were thinking! Wasn't that the most wonderful video! Just exceptional! In a way, yes, Mica's reaction was like that! And we couldn't get over how she was making that noise to get our attention as she continued to follow us! It's a beautiful thing, the relationshi[ and feelings between people and animals. Thanks for "getting it" and I just love sharing pictures with you and following you and your family as well! ...better call it a night...1:15! Good night, dear friend!
September 1st, 2010  
love the vintage tones...nice portrait!!!
September 1st, 2010  
since you asked, I will give a stab at it. Shannon stated the first and great tip, get your subjects away from the way or position the light so it either adds some character with the shadow or the shadow falls out of frame.
not knowing where you want to go with portraits there is a lot you can do with studio or small strobe flash system to improve. Or if you prefer the PJ (candid) look, you need to get a faster lens (real small number aperture in neighborhood of 1.4 - 1.8 work great for allowing more light in low light situations. Use window lights to your advantage; in conjunction with a nice telephoto lens so they don't know you are taking an image. ( http://365project.org/gixster92/365/2010-06-01) this image was my boy playing with my wife and he was in front of our doorwall at sunset. He never saw me shooting yet with my lens I brought him in as if he was doing it for me. I am one that likes using light to shape your subjects. The main issue I have with your above image is the straight on flash that flattens the beautiful dimensions of your son. Plus your processing selection does more of a wash on the subject which takes away some contrast resulting in an even more flattened image. I do like the kicker light on the left rear jaw bone. might be a window or a reflection of the flash bouncing back but use this stuff to help highlight your images. Try your flash outside on a sunny day. put the sun behind the subject to get natural sunlight rimming your subject and the flash will balance the ambient light to exposure your subject. Yeah that's right, flash on a sunny day, who wudda thunk. Hope this is what you were looking for.

Yes that is a blue gel on my monkey image giving a cool contrasty lighting on the subject. I also desaturated the image a bit to give it even more mood as a well as punch up the contrast more (I like contrast :) )
September 1st, 2010  
i'm a sucker for more candid shots. the more random and off the wall, sometimes the more I like them. i really enjoy when people will go out on location around their city and use props, like a vintage chair in the middle of a field, funky accessories, like umbrellas, bubbles, vintage cameras (whatever the person you're photographing likes or what their hobby is). just go out and play, you've got great models to choose from. :) this shot is very j.crew style to me, clean and classic. looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!
September 1st, 2010  
Wow what a fab portrait, and a very handsome model, you've had some fantastic advice thus and not much else can bed added I always do the following 1: lighting natural if poss but I will try moving the light source about for different effects, and I use a good reflector to fill any facial shadows and always focus on the eye nearest to the lens, hope this of help
September 1st, 2010  
I like it very nice! I am with you I like taking candid shot way more than studio portraits. Their expressions are more natural.
September 1st, 2010  
I think it's a fabulous shot!! I'm not very talented at portrait shots so I will let others advise you :)
September 1st, 2010  
Nice portrait! Griff's advice is great. Things I have read and try to practice with is natural side light indoors. A massive window works great but where the sun is not directly streaming into. I havent worked with reflectors yet but really want to get one to bounce those shodows out of there!
September 1st, 2010  
It is a very nice shot of him. And I haven't scrolled through everyone's comments, but one of the first things you can do is pull him away from the background to make the shadow fall away. The other thing is to be sure to give enough headroom, unless you're going for a stylized shot. Keep on!
September 1st, 2010  
Sounds like you shot it with plenty of headroom and just chose to crop it this way, which is fine. It does come down to personal taste and the way you want to see it. I think it looks good.

And yes, the '80s really were that long ago. I have to measure my cultural references by who I'm speaking with. :)
September 1st, 2010  
Frankly, I have no idea...but your son is handsome! The girls are probably lining up!!!! And your 365 son - what great manners! He responded to my comments and made some of his own! Mom, you done good! (Kids - incorrect grammar is okay in this scenario only.)
September 1st, 2010  
lovely portrait, looks great to me! i would agree a good way to remove shadows is to have your 'model' stand further away from the background. also if you have some portable lights like the ones on coffee tables, bedside tables etc, you could cast them over the back which can help reduce shadows! i think my best tip for portraits is to play with lighting, it can change a picture instantly! BUT i think this is a great shot that could hang on your wall! i love the edit!
September 1st, 2010  
This is an amazing shot, you caught him really well...sort of...'wistful teenager' :)
September 2nd, 2010  
Candid portrait lighting is trickier than posed portrait lighting. With posed portraits you can adjust your lights to give the best look, but with candids it's all about available lighting. So I guess the question that should be asked is what type of flash do you use? on camera pop up flash, hot shoe flash, hot shoe bounce flash? If you answer pop up flash...stop right there. The flat frontal lighting from a pop up or on camera flash is the worst type of lighting you can use for just about anything, especially portraits.

instead of using a popup flash, don't use flash at all. if your indoors with a low light level, boost your iso high enough to get a shutter speed equal to or higher than your focal length for a sharp hand-held picture. So if your shooting at 200mm, you need a shutter speed of 1/200 or preferably higher to get a sharp hand-held image.

Change the metering on your camera to spot or center-weighted metering and manually meter off of the person so the camera will get the correct exposure for your subject.

Make sure your subject is standing 2 or more feet from walls so any shadows will fall off.

Another tip is to take them outside. Overcast days are perfect for portraits. If it a bright sunny day, simply move them into the open shade of a tree or building. make sure to meter off your subject to get the correct exposure. or you can use a reflector or a white card to fill in any shadows. Tips for white cards and reflectors.....DIY. go to an art store and buy a large piece of foam core board, there you go...sturdy white card. Reflectors... ya know those silver sunlight reflectors for car windshields? you can get them for real cheap at a dollar store and they work just as well as the expensive popup reflectors. Need one in gold too? buy two silver ones and take one and color it in with a yellow or gold crayola marker.

If you shoot your subject with the sun in the background you may need to use your flash, but you will use it as a daylight fill flash. How to achieve this is to put your camera in manual mode, set the exposure and take a shot to check. your subject will likely appear on the dark side. Now turn on your flash and set the flash exposure compensation to -1 1/3. If the subject looks like flash has been used, then reduce the flash exposure compensation to -1 1/2 and so on and so forth. You can also use white cards or reflectors to fill light into your subject instead.

The reason I explain all this is because to me, candid portraits are more than catching someone by surprise and taking their picture. Candids are somewhat posed but in a much more relaxed and free flowing state allowing personality to show. I hope that these tips help and that your son will allow you to get some real practice on him. He's got those Brad Pitt goodlooks and should not be camera-phobic at all.
September 2nd, 2010  
This is a beautiful shot, what a handsome boy he is!
September 2nd, 2010  
Brett, I have really enjoyed reading the feedback you recieved on this one because I have the same problem. I am indoor-phobic and flash-phobic. I hate indoor shots unless there is enough available light and I hate my pop up flash so I basically avoid indoor photography. I appreciate all the tips everyone listed and will use them in the future.
Although the photo could be better, I must agree, your son sure is a handsome devil.
September 2nd, 2010  
What Jeff said. He's the master. As soon as I saw this I wondered what Jeff might say and as I scrolled down I saw his response. :)
September 3rd, 2010  
This is a great shot, Brett. You already have a lot of input on the flash shadow - on-camera flash is yucky in general, but convenient... Natural light is your best friend for most portraits. Studio strobes are next best, but that inevitably gets you a more 'portrait' look than a candid. Keep shooting portraits/candids - you'll see what works for you and what doesn't, but this is a great shot regardless.
September 9th, 2010  
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