Christina and Dior

[gahspidy]

Finally getting to shooting something other than myself
Here is a portrait from a session I was satisfied with. It was what i was hoping for in the end, pretty much but would love to know how this works for others.
Thanks

[draymorton]

Fantastic shot. Really like the one in the lighting forum, too. Absolutely top-notch stuff.

[jetrim]

Very nice timeless feel to this one. Exposure is dead on. My onlly nit-pick is a matter of personal preference: I'm not crazy about the lines in her right cheek and left forehead and probably would want to even out the light and dark tones to downplay them a bit more.

[LeeIs]

I always love the subtle tones of your shots. The table breaks the centeredness of this and works well. I'm not much of a portrait guy and I don't know if there is supposed to be separation between the subjects and the background? They all seem to be on the same plain right now and hence loses depth perhaps? like look at the table and the background, almost looks 2d. The book sort of breaks that and adds a bit of perspective in this. That is just a nitpick and might have been the way you wanted the shot to appear. Anyways. really nice!

[Frog]

Great stuff to me.
They look as though they are jealous of your hair.

[Greg McCary]

Your unique processing makes for unique portraits. I think you are going to do very well in this area. I bet it is a lot more work involved than landscape work.

[gahspidy]

Dray, always glad to get your thumbs up. I really have to get myself some larger backdrops now. This one as only 5 ft tall and had me cramming in the composition.

Jet, I saw those too and initially I did not want to remove them because this was not intended as a glamour shot, but I decided it bothered me enough especially since after you mentioning it right away. This pic here is replaced with one that has been reduced somewhat.

Liban, thank you for commenting. Not sure what I could do to get that table to pop any more. Possibly getting it at a bit of an angle. I will have a play at it and see if I could work that out.

Frog, thanks for the time. I assure you I'm at my best behavior and hair is not petrified during these shoots.

Greg, thanks, those are some very encouraging words. Its funny in how the medium and the creative process take sus down different paths over time. I almost never included the human element in my photography only a year or so back, but now I am doing portraits.
Its only more work in that there is more gear now with the lights and stands and modifiers, etc. Also having to deal with another person or two now adds to the mix.
I am enjoying it though, but I miss getting out there and getting some landscapes. Have to find the time and plan a travel.

[jetrim]

Very nice clean edit Gary :thumbsup:

[gahspidy]

Very nice clean edit Gary :thumbsup:

Thanks Jet, I think I'll touch on the one in the lighting forum as well. Glad you pointed it out. i know the subject will like that too

[BlueRob]

Interesting arrange of elements Gary. I bet taking the pic with that dog was not easy...that furry thing seem to be pretty jumpy. Detail and contrast of the blacks add a rich depth to the photo. As Greg said your PP make it unique.

My only nit pick is that the shot seems a little tilted to the viewers left....the culprit I think is the night table...that using as reference the top of it.

[gahspidy]

Interesting arrange of elements Gary. I bet taking the pic with that dog was not easy...that furry thing seem to be pretty jumpy. Detail and contrast of the blacks add a rich depth to the photo. As Greg said your PP make it unique.

My only nit pick is that the shot seems a little tilted to the viewers left....the culprit I think is the night table...that using as reference the top of it.

Thanks for commenting, Rob. Yep, this little furry guy was either jumping around, or as it turns out the biggest problem and it was more a problem in the other photo where she is standing holding him (lighting forum) was that the dog would instantly go to sleep as he was held.
While I was shooting these shots, I'm barking and making strange noises to have the dog awake and at attention. All the while the girl would be laughing at me so it was pretty weird trying to get dog attention and girl not laughing. . .

i agree, the table top looks slanted a bit while the lower part is straight. i probably hit it at an angle somehhat.

[readingr]

Gary,

I have nothing to add other than I really like the textures throughout the picture, and the expressions on both Christina and Dior complement each other beautifully.

Roger R.

[BlueRob]

Thanks for commenting, Rob. Yep, this little furry guy was either jumping around, or as it turns out the biggest problem and it was more a problem in the other photo where she is standing holding him (lighting forum) was that the dog would instantly go to sleep as he was held.
While I was shooting these shots, I'm barking and making strange noises to have the dog awake and at attention. All the while the girl would be laughing at me so it was pretty weird trying to get dog attention and girl not laughing. . .

i agree, the table top looks slanted a bit while the lower part is straight. i probably hit it at an angle somehhat.

PMSL I bet that would be fun to watch....a mental image of you with camera on hand...wearing a crazy hair-do, steampunk goggles and a pipe trying to make the shots LOL.