Portrait of Sofia

[Paavo]

I'm new here but read the rules and believe this is one of my best portraits. Interested to hear comments in an effort to improve and reach the next level.

http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/HKSofia.jpg

[saurora]

Very nice! So you're into birds and kids! I'm not an expert at this but, I this is very nice and the lighting looks great to me. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the backdrop. I think I would prefer something with less pattern, it sort of detracts from her dress. Maybe even a color. She's a real cutie and looks like she enjoys posing. :thumb

[winnjewett]

paavo,

I like the composition. The lighting is beautiful. You have fantastic detail in the dress, hair. The aspect I am not crazy about is the girl's expression. She looks like a 5 year old who is posing for a portrait. Try to catch her off guard; tell jokes, pretend you aren't looking, ask her questions.

Otherwise, it's a beautiful photo. Well done.

-winn

[adrian_k]

paavo,

I like the composition. The lighting is beautiful. You have fantastic detail in the dress, hair. The aspect I am not crazy about is the girl's expression. She looks like a 5 year old who is posing for a portrait. Try to catch her off guard; tell jokes, pretend you aren't looking, ask her questions.

Otherwise, it's a beautiful photo. Well done.

-winn

:agree

[wholenewlight]

Here's my "whips". I don't mind the expression or the white dress pattern - it's a posed, studio-type portrait and those elements fit for me.

I also don't like the background. the white color isn't too bad but the texture hurts the shot. The vertical folds are bad too. It makes a professional looking shot look homegrown.

The pose is okay but I'm wondering if sitting might have made her look a lottle less "model" and a little more "young girl". I'm getting picky but the shot has a tall narrow look. Maybe a more casual pose like sitting on a stool might help with that.

Good exposure, especially on the white dress. That could have been a real problem.

[mr peas]

its exactly how i'd frame the photo. did you add on a touch of soft focus or something? either way, its nicely composed. she seems like she's a natural in front a of a camera.

[Paavo]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I don't know how long is appropriate before I replied but since no one else seem to comment for a day figured it would be ok.

This shot was taken of my daughter on Christmas morning. She had asked Santa for a "fancy dress". She was so proud of it that I had to take some shots. That's the reason for her rather "cocky" pose. If you knew her personality, you'd immediately see it shine through in the pose and expression.

Since it was a white dress and I've never done a "high key" type shot, I used a couple of lace panels over a white backdrop. That's the pattern you see. I probably should've taken more time to straighten it out. Prior to posting here, I removed a white vignette which seemed to camoflage the pattern somewhat.

Based on the comments that the pattern is distracting, I may go back in and try a blur or brighten it up some more. I'm glad there were no major issues with the lighting.

Again, let me thank each of you for your comments. They're all taken to heart. I'll probably be brave enough to post some more for critique since this wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. :smile6

[Paavo]

its exactly how i'd frame the photo. did you add on a touch of soft focus or something? either way, its nicely composed. she seems like she's a natural in front a of a camera.

Sorry Mr Peas, forgot to respond to your question. No, I didn't apply a soft focus to the shot. I didn't sharpen it though, either, as I typically don't on portraits. She is indeed very comfortable in front of a camera.

[wholenewlight]

This shot was taken of my daughter on Christmas morning. She had asked Santa for a "fancy dress". She was so proud of it that I had to take some shots. That's the reason for her rather "cocky" pose. If you knew her personality, you'd immediately see it shine through in the pose and expression.


Boy, the story really makes the shot work. . . having this background really enhances the whole viewing experience.

She's a pretty girl and you can centainly see her Christmas happiness coming through in the shot.

No whip :thumb

[pathfinder]

Kevin, your daughter is lovely and the lighting shows her off to good effect. Her smile is charming.

If it were my shoot, I think I would have had her stand a few more feet in front of the background. That would have diminished the folds and the pattern, and seperated her more effectively from the background. I find myself having to relearn this lesson so often, I have made it a mantra to myself, "Step forward please, away from the wall".:):

[Paavo]

Kevin, your daughter is lovely and the lighting shows her off to good effect. Her smile is charming.

If it were my shoot, I think I would have had her stand a few more feet in front of the background. That would have diminished the folds and the pattern, and seperated her more effectively from the background. I find myself having to relearn this lesson so often, I have made it a mantra to myself, "Step forward please, away from the wall".:):

Thanks Pathfinder! She actually is about 5ft in front of the background. I'll have to check but I probably used too small of an aperture. I'll have to address it in pp.