Wes, Gold reflectors I feel are best used when you want to make it look like the subject has a tan a bit. I would only use the silver or white and adjust in Lr the white balance selectively.
I am curious, what do you mean by Senior Portrait? I would have thought it meant a portrait of someone old enough to have retired from work, silver hair and such, so I am confussed.
hahahah I had the same doubt for a while. Apparently it's a very US custom having your portrait taken by a professional photographer when finishing high-school (Senior Portraits). I also thought the term referred to old people xP
Thanks Saul and Wes. Now I know. In the UK we don't use the term nor do we have the tradition for portraits at the time of leaving school. Shame really
I agree with Christian, the shaddow filling is overdone but still the image is nice enough. The girl has a lovely smile, which is good in a seniour portrait. You'll note I have gone from someone who did not know what a senior portrait is, to an expert in a couple of seconds.
I don't generally like brick walls in portraits, and this image does not change my mind, the geometry and texture are so strong they detract from the sitter and I also don't generally like upright 35mm format portraits, a personal bette noir. The shot would look much better cropped top and bottom to make it a bit more square, just below her necklace to 1/2 brick above her head, I'd say.
There are parts of the US where the term is just as confusing. In the Midwest where I am it is very very common, but you say "senior portrait" in New York and you get the same reaction (i.e. what do you mean? a portrait of an old person?).
Wes - you're suffering from over criticitus here I'm afraid - fellow photographers tend to do that. Here's the deal: What many photographers lose sight of is the audience. Each shot you take seeks to please one or more individuals or groups. Sometimes it's an employer, and sometimes it just you, but we all shoot for someone. No one takes shots to hide them away. Much like a public speaker, a photographer has an audience. It's not appropriate to judge your photo with an inappropriate audience in mind, or at a stratospheric level given the audience you're trying to please. It's not a cover shoot for Teen Magazine. With that in mind, let's see how this shot would fare directed at your audience. Who's your audience and who do you need to please? Well who's paying you? The Senior's mother of course!
Pros:
1: This shot has a great blurred background, and rich color depth - almost always a winning attribute in senior shots. She's wearing a solid color that contrasts well with the wall she's leaning against, and it's a strong color, so there's no competition with the wall, especially since only a very small part of the wall is showing.
2: You've got catch lights in her eyes, and she's got a great smile.
3: Your exposure is good. You're approaching blow out on her left arm, but it's tolerable. There is a little shine on her cheeks, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing since it's not extreme. It's a matter of taste really and can easily be corrected in Photoshop if you feel the need to be that picky in a senior shot.
4: Great highlights in the hair, and her teeth are clean and bright (sorry to get to this level, but teeth are important to moms and teen girls.)
5: Don't worry about the gold reflector. It's not overbearing, and it warmed her up a bit.
Cons:
I would have cropped this shot a little tighter - just above the bend in her elbow. You could have even dropped the top of the frame a bit. For these types of shots, fill the frame shooting tight on the head/top of body.
Other than that it's a great shot that any mother would love and buy. It's almost a sure bet the girl in the shot would love it too. That means you did just fine. After all that's really your goal - pleasing your clients, correct? You did a great job. Remember - always keep in mind who you're shooting for and you'll be just fine. In my opinion this shot's a winner.
Mike Patrick is correct in everything he says but misses one point. The reason for asking for a critique is to learn, to improve and to broaden one's skill and understanding. So, in the future one is better able to shoot a similar assignment.
The pros and cons, the likes and dislikes we mention are personal opinions and can be disregarded or adopted. Either way it is likely that anybody who invites criticism, if they have an open mind, will think about the CC offered, and this is how the learning and improving starts.
Something seems a little off with your color. I assume this is strobed?
No, I just had a gold reflector in front of her
Wes, Gold reflectors I feel are best used when you want to make it look like the subject has a tan a bit. I would only use the silver or white and adjust in Lr the white balance selectively.
I am curious, what do you mean by Senior Portrait? I would have thought it meant a portrait of someone old enough to have retired from work, silver hair and such, so I am confussed.
hahahah I had the same doubt for a while. Apparently it's a very US custom having your portrait taken by a professional photographer when finishing high-school (Senior Portraits). I also thought the term referred to old people xP
Senior in high school Ian Mccann
Thanks Saul and Wes. Now I know. In the UK we don't use the term nor do we have the tradition for portraits at the time of leaving school. Shame really
I agree with Christian, the shaddow filling is overdone but still the image is nice enough. The girl has a lovely smile, which is good in a seniour portrait. You'll note I have gone from someone who did not know what a senior portrait is, to an expert in a couple of seconds.
I don't generally like brick walls in portraits, and this image does not change my mind, the geometry and texture are so strong they detract from the sitter and I also don't generally like upright 35mm format portraits, a personal bette noir. The shot would look much better cropped top and bottom to make it a bit more square, just below her necklace to 1/2 brick above her head, I'd say.
There are parts of the US where the term is just as confusing. In the Midwest where I am it is very very common, but you say "senior portrait" in New York and you get the same reaction (i.e. what do you mean? a portrait of an old person?).
That makes me feel less of a plonker.
The image seems a bit overexposed and the highlights under her eyes and her left underarm are too strong.
Wes - you're suffering from over criticitus here I'm afraid - fellow photographers tend to do that. Here's the deal: What many photographers lose sight of is the audience. Each shot you take seeks to please one or more individuals or groups. Sometimes it's an employer, and sometimes it just you, but we all shoot for someone. No one takes shots to hide them away. Much like a public speaker, a photographer has an audience. It's not appropriate to judge your photo with an inappropriate audience in mind, or at a stratospheric level given the audience you're trying to please. It's not a cover shoot for Teen Magazine. With that in mind, let's see how this shot would fare directed at your audience. Who's your audience and who do you need to please? Well who's paying you? The Senior's mother of course!
Pros:
1: This shot has a great blurred background, and rich color depth - almost always a winning attribute in senior shots. She's wearing a solid color that contrasts well with the wall she's leaning against, and it's a strong color, so there's no competition with the wall, especially since only a very small part of the wall is showing.
2: You've got catch lights in her eyes, and she's got a great smile.
3: Your exposure is good. You're approaching blow out on her left arm, but it's tolerable. There is a little shine on her cheeks, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing since it's not extreme. It's a matter of taste really and can easily be corrected in Photoshop if you feel the need to be that picky in a senior shot.
4: Great highlights in the hair, and her teeth are clean and bright (sorry to get to this level, but teeth are important to moms and teen girls.)
5: Don't worry about the gold reflector. It's not overbearing, and it warmed her up a bit.
Cons:
I would have cropped this shot a little tighter - just above the bend in her elbow. You could have even dropped the top of the frame a bit. For these types of shots, fill the frame shooting tight on the head/top of body.
Other than that it's a great shot that any mother would love and buy. It's almost a sure bet the girl in the shot would love it too. That means you did just fine. After all that's really your goal - pleasing your clients, correct? You did a great job. Remember - always keep in mind who you're shooting for and you'll be just fine. In my opinion this shot's a winner.
Mike Patrick is correct in everything he says but misses one point. The reason for asking for a critique is to learn, to improve and to broaden one's skill and understanding. So, in the future one is better able to shoot a similar assignment.
The pros and cons, the likes and dislikes we mention are personal opinions and can be disregarded or adopted. Either way it is likely that anybody who invites criticism, if they have an open mind, will think about the CC offered, and this is how the learning and improving starts.