Alice

Taken during a family photo shoot, this is a portrait of the oldest

daughter, she has a real pre-Raphaelite look about her.

I really like this photo. I like her direct look into the camera - she would hold no prisoners this lady.

A nice capture of a wonderful expression. Sharp eyes and otherwise soft image. Natural feel and presentation. I like the colors too. David

Jane:

 

This is a good shot, I just wouldn't wont her mad at me.

 

 

Matt

This is a delight. The pose is disarming, the lighting and colours are perfect

arresting...color palatte/harmony is exquisite.

Great capture ,, Beautiful portrait nice light and colors ............................Best regards.

Jane,

 

I'm sure you receive much kidding about your name, so I won't monkey around. I will get right down to business.

 

I hope you don't mind, but I am going to give this photograph quite a detailed critique. I have no intent to insult you or Alice.

 

Alice is a very nice looking girl. You have focused very well on her eyes. I think she does herself a disservice by not making use of make-up to enhance her natural beauty. She has a lovely face that would look very nice if framed by her hair. I would like to see it swept across her forehead. This hairdo doesn't really do much for her.

 

Her outfit is also rather plain looking. I keep looking at the large wrinkled patterned scarf around her neck instead of her face.

 

She does have good eye contact with the camera (viewer) and does have reflections in her eyes. I would like to see more pronounced catch lights to give her eyes more life.

 

The background is nicely out of focus which allows attention to focus on Alice. Just behind her right arm is a light area that draws my attention. I would darken it.

 

All of Alice is in focus except her right shoulder. I don't see a good reason to have any of her out of focus. An out of focus background is very nice and focuses attention on your subject. Parts of your subject out of focus will draw attention away from what is in focus. It is difficult to go wrong with having the entire subject in focus.

 

Your left and right compositional balance is excellent. You could crop a little off the top (not a barber joke).

 

The subtle butterfly lighting is very nice and the backlight helps separate her from the background. The tip of her nose is a little red and under her eyes (especially her right eye) is a little dark. There really is very little in the way of shadows with butterfly lighting. With no visible make-up and rather flat lighting her face looks quite pale and lifeless. This reminds me of one of those TV shows that shows how a pretty girl looks before her hair is done and her make-up is applied. They then show how beautiful she looks afterwards. This is the before picture.

 

Her body is turned ever so slightly to the camera which is good, but it is very close to being shot straight on to the camera. Do not pose your subject straight on to the camera. This is not a very feminine pose. Showing your subject’s widest areas (shoulder to shoulder or hip to hip) makes those areas appear wide. Your subject will appear thinner, more feminine and more graceful if turned at an angle to the camera. The lines you see from an angle have more apparent motion, interest and grace.

 

Nice shot,

 

Mark

Hi Thanks for your input, critique is always welcome

 

The portrait posted was from a family photo shoot, during a 2 hour period walking in the woods, all the lighting is natural, I try and find places where the ilght is working for me as I know this location well. I appreciate there is a distracting light element in the left corner and have actually toned this down already, but still working on it for the print

 

I appreciate the full on body pose is not good and try to avoid it ... I asked Alice to turn towards me, she was turning around and this was the best expression of the series so I went for this one. I should have moved myself a bit quicker... Its definately a sharp learning curve on location, its about moving fast and thinking quickly, I wonder if I should soften the right shoulder to balance the left?

 

 

You points are well taken I do have a different opinion on the point below

 

The family wanted to dress casually and like many young middle class british girls doesn't wear a lot of make-up, she is only 16.

I advised co-ordinating colours between the family members and they achieved this very well but wouldn't go so far as to recommend make-up. So for me and the family I think the 'before' look is what we were going for.

British people for you!

 

 

Thanks Jane

 

Beautiful photo. Very well done. Best regards.

Hi Jane,

My hearty congratulations on this wonderful portrait! Excellent work!