Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
First to join the thread, last to comment! Sorry guys. It’s not just that I didn’t have much time, it’s rather that I took my time to watch and watch again each photo. Let’s go now 🙂 :
Nico: This street portrait is what I would like to make but don’t know how to. The composition is just fine, horizontal format works here because it allows us to know where the shot has been taken. I like the way you put your camera just in front of him, saying: here’s the guy; I don’t know him (sconosciuto) but look at him. His face is indeed very interesting; I don’t know why, but he reminds me of a movie director, or a writer; maybe the pipe gives him that artist look.
The perspective of the street and the shadow of the woman (or man) in background, balance the composition. Nevertheless, I’m a bit disturbed by the guy coming out, behind your “famous” unknown. It makes me think that you didn’t have much time to shoot. Would you have waited any longer, in order to clear that side of the picture, if you had had the time? Or did you include him on purpose?
Warren: I really like the framing of Kim between her locks. I also appreciate the position of her head, looking down. It’s a very classic position, and it works well here, expressing melancholy or dreamy mood. Here, we don’t need to see the surroundings; this picture is more about the feelings of a young woman, and you caught well.
I guess that there wasn’t much available light, so you decided to use a flashlight. I think that a natural light or any diffuse source of light (light box, bedside lamp, candle …) would create softer shadows and angles, and smoother contrast. But of course, when there’s no light …
Raid:
As a young father, I’m touched by your portrait(s) of Dana; I myself shoot almost everyday my little angel, trying to catch the decisive portrait she can be proud of one day. Your portrait has a lot in common with the one by Warren: the face of Dana framed between her locks, the way she’s looking down. I like it the way it is. I much like also the light on her face and hair (perfect exposure), and the textures (which lens did you use?). You caught a nice moment, peaceful, calm; maybe she’s playing or reading in her room.
Maybe it would be worth showing what she’s actually doing; less tight crop and vertical format would fit better and would show us her childish world. Here, it seems to me that we need to see the surroundings. Would you agree?
Wayne: That portrait caught my eyes. I’m not very comfortable commenting that one, because I simply can’t say anything when looking at it. It’s very powerful and whether one likes it or he doesn’t: I like it. The vintage look of your picture, that struck me too, doesn’t come only from the grey scale, the halo and fogging effect which was used in old photography. (often because of shortcomings of the lenses used). For me, the vintage effect comes more from her eyes, the way she’s looking at you; not aloof but reserved, not strict but with simplicity.
I’m not sure there’s anything to correct. But I must ask about the fogging effect: is it natural? Or have you PShopped it? If so, maybe I would have preferred less haze in the lower part of the picture, as it tends to draw eyes away from the subject. But it’s not very disturbing.
I have to say that it wasn’t easy to comment such fine portraits; I hope I did my job not too badly.
Best,
Marc-A.
Nico: This street portrait is what I would like to make but don’t know how to. The composition is just fine, horizontal format works here because it allows us to know where the shot has been taken. I like the way you put your camera just in front of him, saying: here’s the guy; I don’t know him (sconosciuto) but look at him. His face is indeed very interesting; I don’t know why, but he reminds me of a movie director, or a writer; maybe the pipe gives him that artist look.
The perspective of the street and the shadow of the woman (or man) in background, balance the composition. Nevertheless, I’m a bit disturbed by the guy coming out, behind your “famous” unknown. It makes me think that you didn’t have much time to shoot. Would you have waited any longer, in order to clear that side of the picture, if you had had the time? Or did you include him on purpose?
Warren: I really like the framing of Kim between her locks. I also appreciate the position of her head, looking down. It’s a very classic position, and it works well here, expressing melancholy or dreamy mood. Here, we don’t need to see the surroundings; this picture is more about the feelings of a young woman, and you caught well.
I guess that there wasn’t much available light, so you decided to use a flashlight. I think that a natural light or any diffuse source of light (light box, bedside lamp, candle …) would create softer shadows and angles, and smoother contrast. But of course, when there’s no light …
Raid:
As a young father, I’m touched by your portrait(s) of Dana; I myself shoot almost everyday my little angel, trying to catch the decisive portrait she can be proud of one day. Your portrait has a lot in common with the one by Warren: the face of Dana framed between her locks, the way she’s looking down. I like it the way it is. I much like also the light on her face and hair (perfect exposure), and the textures (which lens did you use?). You caught a nice moment, peaceful, calm; maybe she’s playing or reading in her room.
Maybe it would be worth showing what she’s actually doing; less tight crop and vertical format would fit better and would show us her childish world. Here, it seems to me that we need to see the surroundings. Would you agree?
Wayne: That portrait caught my eyes. I’m not very comfortable commenting that one, because I simply can’t say anything when looking at it. It’s very powerful and whether one likes it or he doesn’t: I like it. The vintage look of your picture, that struck me too, doesn’t come only from the grey scale, the halo and fogging effect which was used in old photography. (often because of shortcomings of the lenses used). For me, the vintage effect comes more from her eyes, the way she’s looking at you; not aloof but reserved, not strict but with simplicity.
I’m not sure there’s anything to correct. But I must ask about the fogging effect: is it natural? Or have you PShopped it? If so, maybe I would have preferred less haze in the lower part of the picture, as it tends to draw eyes away from the subject. But it’s not very disturbing.
I have to say that it wasn’t easy to comment such fine portraits; I hope I did my job not too badly.
Best,
Marc-A.
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