Sophie in window light

Mike JMike J Registered Users Posts: 1,029 Major grins
edited December 22, 2011 in People
More practice - this time with window light. North facing window as main and reflector as fill. All taken with the 85 f/1.4 at f/1.4. I know her hair is a mess - I just grabbed her and sat her in the chair.
Any other CC on posing, processing, etc would be appreciated...:D

#1
i-j29S5C3-XL.jpg

#2
i-jrdn45P-XL.jpg

#3
i-mKBrFw2-XL.jpg

#4
i-5777Z5N-XL.jpg
Mike J

Comments and constructive criticism always welcome.
www.mikejulianaphotography.com
Facebook

Comments

  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,256 moderator
    edited December 21, 2011
    I'll start. I like the comp and the poses in 1 and 4. Her eyes are engaging and very sharp.

    The lighting is a bit hot, and the DOF (or lack, thereof) is disturbing to my eye. At the very least, a re-shoot with a higher f-number would help a great deal (look at the other eye in #4 which is very OOF). What also might help is her wearing a shirt that isn't as multi-colored, which competes a bit, and would distract more if that was in focus.
    My Smugmug
    "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
  • KinkajouKinkajou Registered Users Posts: 1,240 Major grins
    edited December 21, 2011
    The light and softness is lovely in these. The pose in #2 seems slightly off to me. It looks like it was an attempt at a feminine pose, but because she does not have much space under her brows and she is looking up at you, it makes her face look a little bit more masculine. I would suggest getting down closer to eye level to open up that brow space to make her face look a bit more feminine for a 'gentle hand on face' pose.
    Webpage

    Spread the love! Go comment on something!
  • reyvee61reyvee61 Registered Users Posts: 1,877 Major grins
    edited December 21, 2011
    Goodness..I adore window light and you've captured her eyes beautifully....bravo!
    Yo soy Reynaldo
  • New Hope StudiosNew Hope Studios Registered Users Posts: 39 Big grins
    edited December 21, 2011
    I think #1 works nicely, because the hand position makes sense... not so with photo #2. That hand serves no purpose and, to me, throws it off. Instead of seeing a cute girl, I am wondering why her hand is on her cheek. :)
  • Mike JMike J Registered Users Posts: 1,029 Major grins
    edited December 21, 2011
    David_S85 wrote: »
    I'll start. I like the comp and the poses in 1 and 4. Her eyes are engaging and very sharp.

    The lighting is a bit hot, and the DOF (or lack, thereof) is disturbing to my eye. At the very least, a re-shoot with a higher f-number would help a great deal (look at the other eye in #4 which is very OOF). What also might help is her wearing a shirt that isn't as multi-colored, which competes a bit, and would distract more if that was in focus.
    Thanks David. I do want to redo this to give her time to get changed into some better clothers and to brush her hair:D Thanks for the feedback on the DOF. I know shallow DOF in portraits is a very subjective thing but I like it.
    Kinkajou wrote: »
    The light and softness is lovely in these. The pose in #2 seems slightly off to me. It looks like it was an attempt at a feminine pose, but because she does not have much space under her brows and she is looking up at you, it makes her face look a little bit more masculine. I would suggest getting down closer to eye level to open up that brow space to make her face look a bit more feminine for a 'gentle hand on face' pose.
    I see what you are saying about #2. The more I look at it, the more I agree with you. She's cursed with my Italian genes and those thick eyenbrows. On the flip-side, she's got some of the longest eye lashes I've ever seen.
    reyvee61 wrote: »
    Goodness..I adore window light and you've captured her eyes beautifully....bravo!
    Thanks Rey. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best approach.
    New Hope Studios wrote: »
    I think #1 works nicely, because the hand position makes sense... not so with photo #2. That hand serves no purpose and, to me, throws it off. Instead of seeing a cute girl, I am wondering why her hand is on her cheek. :)
    Hummm...interesting feedback. Hand posing is just weird. For it to look good, IMO, it justn't feel natural.
    Mike J

    Comments and constructive criticism always welcome.
    www.mikejulianaphotography.com
    Facebook
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited December 21, 2011
    Unless the hoped for effect is of "surprise" I think it's very seldom that it makes sense for a person to be leaning away from the side of the face the hand is on. It looks like the hand is pushing the person over.

    Oh, I like #1 and #4, but do wish you had a little more DOF so both eyes were in focus in #4.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • Mike JMike J Registered Users Posts: 1,029 Major grins
    edited December 22, 2011
    Icebear wrote: »
    Unless the hoped for effect is of "surprise" I think it's very seldom that it makes sense for a person to be leaning away from the side of the face the hand is on. It looks like the hand is pushing the person over.

    Oh, I like #1 and #4, but do wish you had a little more DOF so both eyes were in focus in #4.
    Good point about the leaning away from the hand. Make sense.
    Mike J

    Comments and constructive criticism always welcome.
    www.mikejulianaphotography.com
    Facebook
Sign In or Register to comment.