Portrait of Danni

Critiques [Translate]

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• eosnut (10169)
• [2009-01-08 2:05]
• - [workshop] [compare] [+]

Hi Tracey,
It's a lovely portrait of Danni, but spoiled by the blue bar under her chin.
The white highlights top left don't help either.
Sorry if this sounds a bit blunt, it's easier to say than to type.
I've done a workshop for you, I think it makes a nice shot a really good one.
If you can't do this yourself, email me your original and I'll work on it for you.
It would make a print worth framing.
Cheers,
Pete.

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• WhiteKnight (7715)
• [2009-01-08 2:32]
• [2] [+]

You've done a nice pose here Tracey - people often just go for the frontal shots but this is good to see something different..
I think the BG is really what you need to be thinking about with portraits - this looks more like a quick family photo than the result of a portrait session simply because the trampoline is so prominent in the photo. I find a big plain cloth hung up makes a great BG and is so simple to do..
Also a simple reflector held to the left of the picture her would reflect light back onto her face nicely - it can be something as simple as a large sheet of white paper, or kitchen foil..

Anyway - as you've professed to not often trying portraits I think this is a great attempt, and really think you should carry on with more..

Rgds
David

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• manujmehta (11904)
• [2009-01-08 3:05]

hello Tracey
how are you?
nice pov
fine pose
good light
nicely placed, i like it off centred.
keep clicking :)

regards
Manuj Mehta

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• HeadlessGuy (2149)
• [2009-01-08 3:17]

Hi Tracey,

I'd just like to say that I think it's a good effort you've made and that I agree with everything Peter/eosnut said and especially his workshop

Cheers,
Jens

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• rewshearer (20936)
• [2009-01-08 7:22]
• [+]

It's not easy to share portraits of our loved ones in TL because all it takes is one person to say something tactless and it can be quite wounding.

Danni is a beautiful girl and she has connected warmly with you here, with a slight 'get the shot already!' expression that really adds something to this shot. I like that sense of communication and it's something that no photographer other than you could have achieved.

Composition here is fine, the field of focus and the very slight distortion suggest that you were fairly close to her for this portrait - often it's better to do a portrait from further back using more zoom, you get that nice DOF and an undistorted image, but it's no big deal.

I agree with Peter that the blue padding (edge of a trampoline?) is a diversion and the kind of thing that you start to look out for eventually: it's surprisingly hard when you're peeking through the viewfinder to look at other elements than the subject and assess the photo-to-be as a whole!

Overall this is a nice portrait of a delightful model. Well done, you both.

Rew

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• atomas59 (2336)
• [2009-01-08 16:10]
• - [workshop] [compare]

Hi Tracey,
This not bad for an attempt. Nice looking young girl, beautiful eyes.
One thing about portrait is often planning the surrounding. It's got to complement the portrait, never distract. I find it weird, that even with such a large aperture, f/2.8 your background is not more out of focus.

That blue band of blue...of the trampoline...distract too much.

So I couldn't resist doing a workshop on it.

I gave it more of a dreamy kind of background, and warmed up the flesh tones. Hope you'll like.

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• lisapw1 (8354)
• [2009-01-08 18:54]

Hi Tracey,

Nice portrait. For someone who doesn't take many of them, you have a great angle and natural pose. She has really connected with the camera. Great expression. (I think she prefers taking the photos :D). I like the way her hair is gently blowing in the breeze. Great shot. She really is a cutie! The blue in the background is a bit distracting, but she keeps my attention! Lisa

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• Janice (33168)
• [2009-01-09 0:53]
• [+]

Hello Danni, mum has done a lovely portrait of you - how did you like being a model for her? Not as easy as it sounds, is it. But I do think you are very pretty and look very relaxed too.


Tracey, the BG is very annoying and Pete's WS is excellent. You have been given some good critiques and I can agree with most of what they say - especially Pete, David and Rew. So, keep practising and even try modelling for Danni yourself...

TFS
Janice

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• GreenBaron (49159)
• [2009-01-09 1:08]

Hi Tracey,
Not that I'm a portrait specialist, but to improve the picture always keep in mind that a background can be disturbing, and I think that's here the caes. The blue band is quite disturbing in my opinion, also a tigher crop might improve it. Nevertheless a fine porrait of Danni. Keep practising and posting :-)
Hans

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• John_F_Kennedy (10325)
• [2009-01-09 3:34]

Excellent moment and excellent face. Nice work.
Best wishes,
Achim

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• Dot (12584)
• [2009-01-09 5:38]

HI Tracey
A nice head & shoulders portrait, with good sharpness,contrast and dof.
Effective tight and good framing, the blue streak could be cloned out.
Dot

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• Royaldevon (16520)
• [2009-01-09 5:45]

Well Tracey,

As one non-portrait photographer to another, I think you've done pretty well here.
The only thing that strikes me as needing improvement is the b/g. The rest looks fine, especially the tilted head.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

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• mvdisco (35948)
• [2009-01-09 10:48]

Hi Tracey ,
Very nice portrait of Danni, excellent POV. and colours, beautiful hair and excellent tone and pose..
Well done.
Michel

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• CAROL50 (4743)
• [2009-01-09 12:35]

Hi Tracey,
Before even writing a single word in this comment i have allowed myself to read , analyse and compare all the other viewers 'critiques and some excellent ones at that. I do agree with the BG being a bit of a distraction and Danni's face needs a little illumination to brighten her skin somewhat ,on the other hand she has a good quite natural pose , in my view a fine contact with the camera , her eyes are beautiful too , good effort and keep practicing , you have a lovely model to work with ,,,look no farther Tracey even if you have to bribe her into doing it !!! lol
Pete's workshop is great , David and Rew 's ideas are excellent as these are the basis of portrait photography ,
Keep shooting,
Carol

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• Margy (2512)
• [2009-01-09 14:09]

Hi Tracey,

You did a good job making this portrait of Dani.
Sharp and with good colors.
There is said enough about the BG I think.

Best Regards, Marga

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• boomcat (16869)
• [2009-01-11 2:35]

i think all of Danni's potrait that you made are beautiful., Tracey.. i see one much better than this but i guess you like this one posting here..

thanks for the lovely theme.. although im quite late posting this week.. im not sure i can join next week.. there is only one place i think have the street art.. and i don't have new picture to add.. we been having heavy rains for a week now..

regards, terry

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• nicou (21083)
• [2009-01-14 0:38]

Hellol,

Très beau portrait, très beau captage, avec un beau regard, ce cheveux qui volent un peut, superbe.

bravo et amitié

Nicou