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New to Portraits, C&C please
Photometric
Registered Users Posts: 309 Major grins
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"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition."
-- Abraham Lincoln
"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition."
-- Abraham Lincoln
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"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition."
-- Abraham Lincoln
In this case...Id have never known...
Id like to feel like I am part of the resturant as well. Show us that she is reading a menu. Include the menu in the frame with her....a bit of the table...and enough of the atmosphere of the resurant to pique my interest.
If you have to provide detail with text.....then the photograph isn't telling the story.
Jeff
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WORD!
Restaurants have an atmosphere/ambiance...You do need to work on the comp, but not decades I'll bet...When you look at a photograph in a mag or whatnot, look at it closely and see what it is that they are saying, trying to say. Many do not do it well and many do~
Sorry, didn't mean it as "Ouch"! Take it as an "Ohhh, ok" moment instead. Jeffreaux gave some extremely valid points. I woud have NEVER known this had ANYTHING to with a restaraunt scene. Use this for learning, not loathing!
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The two words that stand out in your title are "Portraits" and "C&C". In my opinion, it is fair for others to ask why you might consider this a portrait. So even if the only thing you learn in this case is - to be more careful with your titles - that's worth learning.
When you mention the significance of the menu and environment, it is also fair for us to wonder - why are neither of those elements part of your composition? Environmental portraiture and/or commercial photography both come with their own expectations, starting with a product and/or an environment.
"Portrait" is too vague when left alone, almost like asking someone if they might want "some food" which can range from a microwave meal to a Thanksgiving feast.
Regardless of your pursuit, here are a few suggestions that should help your photography in general.
Directional lighting
With few exceptions, it is generally a good idea for lighting to be stronger on one side of your subject than the other side - creating shade on some part of the subject, which represents depth and adds interest. Controlling the placement and intensity of the shadows takes time and talent - a never ending process. When you see a photo that interests you (assuming it's not just another pretty face), study the lighting pattern. Try to figure out the lighting direction in relation to the subject and the camera. It almost never comes from the exact same direction as the camera. Applying this general tip immediately adds interest, which is good, but can take years to perfect - but it can also be fun along the way.
Composition
Generally, when someone is facing a specific direction, it can help to leave a little more space on that side of the composition. What occupies most of this composition? Hair.
Look into the "rule of thirds" - not so you can limit your creativity to a set of rules, but so you have a good starting point from which to create. This photo would be improved simply by composing with her eyes at or near the top third of the image and leaving some space on the side she is facing.
Posing
I consider posing my greatest weakness, but I know there are posing techniques that would also improve this photo. For example, her wrist and hand reveal tension because the bend is almost 90 degrees. That creates wrinkles and texture on her hand that could distract from the purpose of the photo. And it may look better if her palm was more under her chin, as opposed to being slightly in front of it. Like I said, I'm no posing expert, but hands are a significant topic when it comes to posing.
I heard a food photographer once say - never expose the ending of a spaghetti noodle! It should be hidden from the viewer! The specialists are picky about what makes them special. Those who specialize in posing will tell you all about hands. I can't pretend to know enough to be helpful in that area.
Not all forms of portraiture involve posing but, when you mention a "staged shot", it's clear that you had influence with your subject. If you are "staging a portrait", some posing knowledge would be helpful.
At the risk of being way too wordy, I'll close by saying - knowing there is a lot to learn can be a wise step in the right direction.
Be encouraged.
keep shooting with some ideas b4 clicking!
I've read the comments and working on scheduling a reshoot. I'll be prepared prior to going into the restaurant. I should've gone in first and prepped before walking in and firing away.
One question from anyone who has done this before...getting a release form is difficult as people are coming and going and some might not be willing to appear at all. Since this will not be used for sales for profit by myself, just part of a review done without commission (I know the owner) does anyone know what the legalities are regarding this or could point my in the right direction (hopefully without a laywer's involvement).
"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition."
-- Abraham Lincoln
Best answer: if you need legal advice, ask a lawyer
Now, from a lawyer-not: if you need permission, you would only need it from those who are identifiable within your image(s). You may have noticed on the news, when they do a story about obesity, they show clips of people walking down the street - and those clips typically show the subjects only from below the waste, or only showing their back side.
And I believe (there's my disclaimer) you don't need a release at all if all you are doing is building a portfolio and you never sell the image.
Either way, getting legal will open a topic to all flavors of speculation. It's best (and probably less expensive) to go to a legal resource with your legal questions.
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