A few head shots of a cute young lady

Gringriff

On Saturday, I took some head shots of a cute young lady. I actually made a new backdrop to see if I could and it worked out okay. Any comments and helpful critique is welcome,

Thanks,
Andy

First two are just using my plain white backdrop,
1.



2.



Next two are with my new backdrop I made last week,
3.


4.
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Hackbone

Great shots of a very cute little gal and good skin tones in my opinion. Your high key background is spot on. The darker bkg could be a little darker to bring her out more. The following is not meant as a critique but more of TRADITIONAL POSING RULES. All rules can and are broken. With the female you want to turn her away from the light and turn her head toward the light. This gives you a short lighting pattern and slenderizes (sp) the face. You have her broad lighted and that tends to fatten up the face. Try to seat her in such a manner that her front shoulder is higher that the far shoulder and this gives you more of a femine pose. Leaning into the camera is considered masculine.

Gringriff

Thanks Charles for the feedback. I am trying to learn the poses with practice. I did get her body turned away but did not get the face turned back toward the light. I will certainly try this very soon.

Also thanks for the background info. I tried to blast away the white background but will try turning the power lower on the other one.

Thanks again,
Andy

reyvee61

As Charles mentioned it's great to know the rules but quite frankly when it comes to children I don't bother with posing rules.
I think your lighting is great on all of these and focus is spot on.
The backdrop you made is fantastic as well...
Bravo!

Hackbone

Rey, I have to disagree with you on the posing rules. These seem to be more of a formal setting and not as casual so a good pose makes the photograph even better. A knock out casual photo generally has the benefit of a good pose. Again just my view. I might be somewhat older but I still am asking how to do something and always looking for a more modern way to do things.

reyvee61

Hackbone wrote: »

Rey, I have to disagree with you on the posing rules. These seem to be more of a formal setting and not as casual so a good pose makes the photograph even better. A knock out casual photo generally has the benefit of a good pose. Again just my view. I might be somewhat older but I still am asking how to do something and always looking for a more modern way to do things.

It's true yes but what I meant more specifically is that it's difficult to get kids to do what you want them to do.

I am an infinitely patient man but I can't get any of my six grandkids to cooperate for sittings.....

I do have slightly better luck with other children...mine are just heathens....:D

I might be somewhat older but

Hmmm, I think I've got you beat when it comes to age
At least ya look younger than me.....

Don Kondra

Hi Andy,

The lighting looks good but this reminds me of a "mistake" I made recently on a self portrait.

Although it was "only" a lighting test it wouldn't have taken much effort to shave and put on a nice shirt

In this case perhaps her best Sunday dress, he, he..

Cheers, Don

Gringriff

Thanks for the input Rey. I did feel like with such a young model I would have more leway with the posing but I will continue to try to imoprove.

I am liking the backdrop it is only a 6x9 but now I am looking to make a larger one.

Andy

Gringriff

Thanks Don.

I agree about the shirt. I talked to the mom several times for two weeks, and she only wanted one good head shot. But I was surprised when she arrived in the t shirt.

Andy

reyvee61

Gringriff wrote: »

Thanks for the input Rey. I did feel like with such a young model I would have more leway with the posing but I will continue to try to imoprove.

I am liking the backdrop it is only a 6x9 but now I am looking to make a larger one.

Andy

The backdrop is a wee bit small but it's very nice.

I hadn't even noticed the gray shirt....ha ha

jpc

The background in your hi-key shots is not quite blown out and the lighting is a bit uneven. May I ask exactly what your material was and how you were lighting it?

Icebear

Love the backdrop. Agree with most of the comments. Nice work. A few tweaks here and ther, and it'd be REALLY nice work.