portrait lighting

[gimp]

I would like to get some opinions on this portrait of my daughter. I used a single flash in an umbrella and a white reflector on the opposite side. What improvements can you suggest. Thanks.

[Alison]

That's beautiful!!!
The lighting, colours, clarity and composition are all wonderful!!!
A hair light would have been lovely. But there's nothing wrong with the portrait as it is.
Superb!!!

[jar_e]

I agree with Alison, it turned out quite well. The one area that could concern me is where the hair is by the left eye...just as it makes it a little dark, but I still enjoy it.

Well done and welcome to the boards,

Jared

[swmdrayfan]

I agree with Jared on the hair, but o/w it's really, really good. Thumbs up!
John

[splats]

That is really nice ! the only thing that jumps out at me ( as was posted above ) is the hair by the left eye. very nicely done. its a keeper.

[Ronnoco]

It is easier for a photographer to shoot a portrait of someone with whom he/she has no emotional attachments because it takes an objective, critical eye to do things correctly and that is something that some here will not admit.

What you have to do first is look at the person's face and in some cases upper body and see what are the best features, the looks that emphasize personality etc., and what are the weaknesses and the person's "bad side" that should NOT be emphasized by a competant creative photographer. The most blatant example would be that you would certainly NOT emphasize a scar, acne, or a disfigurement.

Then the role of the photographer is to set up the portrait..in terms of make-up, placement, angle, lighting, composition and technique to totally emphasize the beauty iin the girl/woman and perhaps her personality, and totally de-emphasize any "imperfections".
They are still there and may often be very minor, but you should not be drawing the eye of the viewer to them through lighting for example.

Considering the limitations of your lighting, you did a great job, but if you read what I have said carefully, you should be able to greatly improve your technique.

Ronnoco

[yogestee]

Lovely portrait of a very pretty young lady..I my opinion you set the flash a tad too high and too close to the subject..Notice the "bags" under her eyes which isn't really flattering for the women folk..

I had a play around in Photoshop 7 getting rid of the bags under her eyes with the healing brush and cloned out some blemishes...I also lightened the lower half of her face..This is a technique I use when photographing portraits especially females..
Hope you don't mind???

Jurgen
Australia

[gimp]

Thank you all for your suggestions and encouragement. I will keep working and post some more for your critique. Thanks again.