Reluctant Beauty

[Wink]

Yesterday i thought i'd try a few portraits with my new 580EX II off camera through an umbrella kit.
My girlfriend, while reluctant, agreed to be the subject of my experimentation.
I was nervous as i don't take many photos of people. C & C greatly appreciated...

[Geoff M]

Hey Adam, great series, good lighting and your girlfreind looks very relaxed and good model material. You have done very well if this genre of photography is not something you generally do.

Look forward to more

[Wink]

Thanks Geoff!

I'm going to get these printed for her parents and grand parents for Christmas. What's everyone recommend for the finish, matte or gloss?
They will be framed and printed at 8x10 if that makes a difference to your preference?

[Geoff]

Nice shots mate.
You've done very well.
Curiously - how did you do your B&W conversion?
The whites of her top/jacket seem mildly over exposed.
I would suggest matte finish, but I never use gloss anyway, more of a personal preference really.

[Geoff M]

Printing wise, if it's under glass I would probably go for matte finish. I have generally always gone for matte on any of my prinying but have recently started using gloss on occasions. I find some images work better in gloss especially B&W, but as with all things it' really comes down to personal preference.

[Wink]

Curiously - how did you do your B&W conversion?

We just picked one of the presets in Silver Efex Pro.

Every image i've had printed has always come back darker than the screen version so i'm hoping the printing brings it back down a little.

I'll get them done in matte with maybe a gloss or two for comparison.

[surenj]

Nicely done Wink!

Welcome to the "I-like-to-shoot-portraits-but-no-one-will-volunteer" club. I sometimes think that if I charged, I will get more people lining up....


She is very relaxed and it shows in your photos. Nice light.

If you keep persisting with a regular subject, they [and yourself] will become better.

The last BW looks to be done with a red filter.

[colin_12]

I think the first is the best of the bunch Adam.
Very nice picture

[chrisk]

these are all very nice shots. the B&W would be my fave for sure. theres a band of overexposure across her chest, (i mean lighting !!), which is a little distracting but its a lovely soft light that i'm sure you could bring back just a little in post. gorgeous woman btw.

[Wink]

Thanks guys!

I put the slightest vignette on a couple of them, including the b&w just to keep the brightest area on the subject. It's noticeable on the b&w. That's possibly what makes the really bright area even more obvious.

[zafra52]

surenj, maybe they are frighten they will end up looking like
one of your terminators.
Nice portraits! Your friend should be very happy with them.