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wlewisiii
Guest
Took some shots New Year's Eve. I've scanned a couple and posted them. I'd appreciate constructive criticism of them.
Thanks!
William
Thanks!
William
Couple of portraits
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Todd.Hanz
Guest
I think they may be a little dark, 1/2 to 1 stop, maybe it was from the scan. The portaits seem a tad soft, equally among them all but I don't think it is a focus issue.
Overall I think they are nicely done!
Todd
Overall I think they are nicely done!
Todd
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wlewisiii
Guest
Dark is a problem - the eyes especially. Its partly the scan an partly the prints. These were on color film and I had some color balance problems with my antiquated scanner so I greyscaled them and could then lighten them a bit. But while the prints are sharp enough, they are still a bit dark. I think my meter (a 1950 or so GE PR-1 selenium) is a tad optomistic in low light.... not surprising for a selenium meter and I should have remembered that. Perhaps if I can fix that broken Digisix I'm getting... 
William
William
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That Guy
Guest
How does the density of the negatives look? It's difficult to guage from a scanned print. But these look a little under exposed. Maybe it's the scan.
I'd like to see better shadows in the portraits. If you're going to shoot B&W a halogen work light makes a cheap key light, just not too bright, and make sure its several feet away if it's not diffused. Window light from an overcast sky works well, too. Use a simple bounce to control the contrast of the shadows if needed. I've had good luck with a blank piece of paper. A bounce into the eyes will lighten them up.
Keep an eye on your composition as well. You'll have to "see" in black and white for this one. In "Pearls 1" the background is too close in density to the skin tones. Also I can see clothing marks on her skin, which I find a little distracting. But mostly I like the framing of this shot. Best of the series I think.
Keep on it! You're off to a good start.
I'd like to see better shadows in the portraits. If you're going to shoot B&W a halogen work light makes a cheap key light, just not too bright, and make sure its several feet away if it's not diffused. Window light from an overcast sky works well, too. Use a simple bounce to control the contrast of the shadows if needed. I've had good luck with a blank piece of paper. A bounce into the eyes will lighten them up.
Keep an eye on your composition as well. You'll have to "see" in black and white for this one. In "Pearls 1" the background is too close in density to the skin tones. Also I can see clothing marks on her skin, which I find a little distracting. But mostly I like the framing of this shot. Best of the series I think.
Keep on it! You're off to a good start.
FrankS
Registered User
William, brave effort for both you and your model! (girlfriend/wife?) Try the same idea with window light during the daytime. I don't mean direct sunlight streaming into a window, but a north window (in the northern hemissphere) or on an overcast day. It's the lighting that needs tweaking in these portraits. It is amazing the effect different light has on the final outcome. In fact, it is the lighting that has almost all the influence on the final outcome! Keep it up William, keep it going, experiment with light!