Yet another portrait I need help with

I am managing to get portraits done within a schedule squeezed

between two other jobs, but so far so good (less a little sleep).

 

Here is my most recent portrait - but I am having issues with shadows

and the nose. Can I please get comments and help on this as well as

the picture as a whole?

 

Thanks again to everyone!!

 

Jenn<div></div>

For this tight head shot, use only a 120-150mm focal length. Turn her head alittle to the

right or left. Place a Flexfill light disc horizontally before her at her lap level to reflect light

up to fill in that harsh nose shadow. Increase the distance of your main light by 30% to

the subject. Put the umbrella or light source alittle more on center with your camera, and

the reflector should be beneath: This is called "butterfly lighting". Look up this on

www.google.com

Jennifer, go to ZUGA.net and check out the archived free lessons.Especially Monte Zucker & Joe Zeltsman.(Joe Z. is a retired classic portait master).You need to learn about short(loop)& broad lighting,camera height,and masculine & feminine posing techniques.

Photograph her from a slightly higher angle, this will decrease the effect of her chin.

Lower her chin alittle; this will open up her eyes.

Jennifer,

 

As Timber says, butterfly lighting and a higher camera angle might be helpful here.

 

Or as Steve suggest, short lighting, in this case from the other side of the camera might be better as it will also help define the planes of the face.

 

Another big improvement regarding the shadow is to use a large softbox or move your softbox closer to make it larger, for a more diffused light and softer shadow edge. More fill on the shadow side would help lighten the nose shadow also.

 

A little diffusion might be nice.<div></div>

I agree with most of the above but with this model you need to work a

little harder to really flatter her.

 

She has quite a high forehead, a very oval face and a long neck, I am not

sure what lens you are using but if it is wider than 100mm (35mm

format) you will be emphasising these features and creating an

unflattering distortion.

 

I would suggest trying to pose here so her chin and neck are not pushed

so forward into the image.

 

You definately need to soften the light a lot as it is currently way to

harsh and use some reflectors to even out the lighting.

 

She also doesn't look relaxed and the pose looks quite forced.

 

I would suggest trying a few different poses and lighting setups, certainly

I think a less full on face view with short loop lighting would be

something else to try and you may find this more flattering.

 

You also have the model currently with her head tilted into the main light,

this is causing a hot area on her forehead, emphasising this area and

causing her left eye and cheek (right side as you look at it) to appear

larger and unballanced. This is causing the whole face to apppear slightly

distorted. If one eye is larger than the other then smaller eye should be

the side further forward in the pose.

 

Be aware butterfly lighting as suggested in an earlier reply can be very

flattering but won't suite all models and can cause models with a high

hairline to appear to have an even higher forehead.

 

I would also suggest you use some backlight to liven up the hair a little.

 

I could go on but then I may as well take the potrait for you.

 

Basically you have made a fair start but you need to practice and try a

variety of approaches.

 

You will get there.

 

Good luck

Excellent advice, Mark !