Simple B&W Portrait

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Simple B&W Portrait

Postby Raskill on Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:13 pm

I want to start taking portraits and head shots, and have recently started stocking up on gear to do so. I thought I'd try my hand at a nice simple shot of my little man.

The lighting was late afternoon natural light through the window, illuminating just the one side of his face. Some basic edits in PS left me with this:

Image

I'm keen to hear any feedback, as this is an area of photography I would like to grow in. :)

Cheers!
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Re: Simple B&W Portrait

Postby the foto fanatic on Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:05 pm

I really think that you needed some fill on the left side of his face - the cut-off is too stark and the difference in exposure is too great IMO.

Speaking for the rest of the image, I quite like the use of negative space in the composition and the B&W conversion also looks good.

Think about the use of a reflector or a fill-flash next time. The on-board flash is generally useful in these situations.
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Re: Simple B&W Portrait

Postby biggerry on Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:16 pm

Its a nice shot, what kind of image and feel were you looking for? does it portray your son's personality? does it represent a unique time in his life?

I can read alot into this shot, a slightly pensive and curious look on teh boys face coupled with only a half lit face and that large empty space on the left....

all in all a good shot but hard to critique on anything else except placement in teh frame and lighting - both which work well imo.
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Re: Simple B&W Portrait

Postby gstark on Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:32 am

As Trevor said, I'd like to see a little more light on the other side of the face. The use of some sort of reflector to the subject's left would help this immensely.

I don't think that this sort of treatment suits the person.
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Re: Simple B&W Portrait

Postby surenj on Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:26 pm

Just to add to the other comments,

The mood portrayed here is more of a dark, ?sad, anxious feel. It's accentuated by the subjects expression, use of low key and darkness under the eye and the positioning of the catchlight.

Also, I am not sure whether I like the nose soft(ish)...

hth
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Re: Simple B&W Portrait

Postby Raskill on Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:37 pm

Thanks for the comments folks :)

I agree the image has a moody dark feel to it, which doesnt really suit my innocent little man. I'm pushed for models though :roll:

The shot was a lucky one, with the light really bright one side of the face, and little on the other. I wanted to try and do the half face shot. I possible could pull out some details on the darkside... Time to play :)

Thanks again!
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Re: Simple B&W Portrait

Postby aim54x on Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:51 pm

Im not sure if this is one for the family album, but certainly a great concept, brilliantly executed. I really like this image, it just screams to have an accompanying story.....is there? Makes me stop and think like all good photos should!
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