Senior Pictures. Oh the pressure.

[the_hefay]

I enjoy taking pictures, but I always get uneasy or nervous when a friend or family member asks me to take some "special moments" pictures, such as a wedding or, in this case, senior pictures. Anytime I'm asked to do something like this, my first response is, "I don't know what a photographer charges, but you'd be better off hiring one." I've never convinced anyone to do that yet and so the pressure's on again. I know so little about posing and lighting, especially outdoors and especially when it comes to portraits and people in general. When I do have a good shot, it's a given that I've already deleted more than a handful and justgot lucky. As you know, that's not the best way to operate, so here's one picture of the recent picture shoot for senior pictures. What do you think? It was breezy and we had some struggles with hair being stood up by it. I like the way it turned out, but I'm open to critical suggestions on what you like and don't like and especially what either makes it a good shot, or what it needs to make it a good shot.

[aster]

Hi Jeff;

I think that you've done nicely. The focus is on the lovely smile and face. The fact that the your subject also sports a neat hairdo and a deep blue sweat shirt creates an uncluttered portrait. The effect of the breeze is not visible and the darker background brings out the subject's features better.

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

[sury]

I agree with Yildiz's assessment. The slightly wind blown hair adds to the natural look and feels more like you
captured the moment than took a posed portrait. The overall softness adds to the tenderness conveyed by the
photo. Personally I am not a big fan of vignetting but it certainly worked in this case.
One suggestion, if I may make, is to sharpen the eyes a tad. When I looked at the photo, my eyes were
drawn to the mouth than to eyes. It is said that we tend to form an impression of face based on how we perceive
the eyes.

With best regards,
Sury

[Ossie]

I agree with Yildiz and Sury. IMHO if it were my image I would get rid of the highlights in the top left corner. My eye gets drawn there and I find them distracting.

Ossie

[the_hefay]

Thanks for the insights. They are much appreciated. Here's a black an white with and w/out vignette. I did lighten the eyes some. The mother really likes this one with the vignette. So I guess that counts for something. I however, am not that impressed with it, but can't put my finger on why.

[sury]

Looks like the first one has more contrast (due to vignetting?).
Though it is a nice capture with a very relaxed subject, there is
nothing in the images that draws me to them.May be you are
feeling the same too. On the other hand, if I am a family member,
it has everything for me to like it too. .

One thing I noticed is that her eyes are becoming "smaller" with
her smile and if you can get the smile while eyes are wider open
it will enhance the images, IMHO. I have a same situation with my
wife too, hence the observation.

Sury

[the_hefay]

One thing I noticed is that her eyes are becoming "smaller" with
her smile and if you can get the smile while eyes are wider open
it will enhance the images, IMHO. I have a same situation with my
wife too, hence the observation.

Sury

Her Dad does the same. I tried to get her to keep her eyes more open. The result was an awkward expression and so I just let it slide.

Your other comment about nothing drawing you to the images is exactly what I felt. Pehaps a less straight on pose would've been better.

[sury]

Jeff, I think the image needs an overall pop. May be you can punch up the contrast a tad and deepen blacks a bit might do the wonders.
Was it you or Ken who has Portrait Pro? You can try LR presets or even Photo Effects 9 is available for FREE (or at least it was) and that one either as stand alone or as a PLUG to LR/PS has nice B&W effects you can try. If you do not have Portrait Professional, I would be more than happy to run a full res version for you. Please let me know.

Sury

[the_hefay]

I don't have portrait pro. I'll go back into LR and try some more adjustments.

[Pitter]

I think the first color shot is a beauty! My only critique is maybe a little sharper or more definition around the mouth area. Don't care for the head on b&w shots but not a fan of b&w regardless of the pose. Anyway I would love to be able to take a portrait like that.