The Mechanical Pancreas Sessions: first foray into portrait photography

[Shades of Hyperion]

A week ago two of my friends asked me to come over and photo-document a session while they laid down tracks for their next CD.

Here are a few of the shots, the rest can be found here... The Mechanical Pancreas Sessions (http://shadesofhyperion.smugmug.com/gallery/6521358_UET5N)

Comments, questions & critiques are welcomed and encouraged, as the thread title states this is the first time I've done any type of portrait photography.

All of the photos were shot with only the natural light in the room, no flash was used. The only post production I did was LAB curve adjustments (with the exception of the B&W's and the selective colorization at the bottom of the post).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3115.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3139.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3095.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3074.jpg

I can't decide if I like the color version of this photo posted above or the B&W version so I posted both...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3095copy-1.jpg

As with the above photo I adjusted the LAB curves for contrast and then converted the color shot to gray scale...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3057.jpg

This photo as with the others I adjusted the LAB curves, converted to gray scale and then applied the selective colorization...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/HeavyWeight/Cannon%20PowerShot%20SX100%20IS/IMG_3113.jpg
This is probably the most subtle selective colorization I've ever done. There was hardly any color in the background to begin with but I was pleased with the outcome.

[sweet caroline]

I wouldn't have guessed it's selective color. I like it because it makes the background less distracting, really highlighting the subject. There is no color in the background to compete with his skin tone.

Caroline

[Shades of Hyperion]

I wouldn't have guessed it's selective color. I like it because it makes the background less distracting, really highlighting the subject. There is no color in the background to compete with his skin tone.

Caroline

Even the subject didn't realize it was a selective colorization until I pointed out that his vibrant red pillows were gray. :wink

[ivar]

I think that with or without the selective colorization, the background (tiles) take too much attention away from the subject, to be honest. I think the ones that are more close up, are definitely the stronger ones in this set :thumb