I have been trying a few new things and here are a couple images that I'm pretty happy with. As always, I'm sure there is room for improvement and your comments and suggestions are more than welcome!

Thanks.

1


2

Dude, these are awesome. #2 is, for me, one of the best senior portraits I've seen. Outstanding!

And that is not meant to detract from #1 which is also beautiful.

bothe very beautiful..but #1 the hand is killing the shot for me

What is in the background for number 2?
Phil

Originally Posted by VitaminV Dude, these are awesome. #2 is, for me, one of the best senior portraits I've seen. Outstanding!

Why thank you! That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me! Well, except for, here's your money.

Originally Posted by Icebear And that is not meant to detract from #1 which is also beautiful.

Thanks Mr. Bear

Originally Posted by Qarik bothe very beautiful..but #1 the hand is killing the shot for me

I can certainly see you point. Thank you for making it. The one I tried without the hand there looked too much like a DMV picture to me. That issue will be one of the things I tweak in the future!

Originally Posted by lifeinfocus What is in the background for number 2? Phil

If you're referring to the scenery, it was a stream or small river that she sat in front of. If you are wondering about the swirls and what-not, that was a texture applied over the image.

#2 doesn't work for me at all...the eyes look unnatural/forced, posing feels tense (especially both hands), the book/pen is out of place (she's siting on a log near a stream with a book/pen...huh?), background texturizing is also unnecessary and very distractive, and the outfit clashes.

I think I get what you were attempting at but I'm not sure what you were trying to portray...maybe a more relaxed look with the senior siting on the ground leaning against the log, with a paperback novel in hand and without the striped top??

the hand is being there is not the issue, just the position of the hand..looks awkward with the finger sticking out.

edit: dear lord I need to spell check

The texture in #2 is not working for me. I find it at odds with the setting.

Great shots, no.2 is my fav.

Originally Posted by Qarik the hand is being is no the issue, just th epos of the hand..looks awkward wit he finger sticking gout.

Looks like a normal relaxed finger cascade to me. I have no problem with it. She may have resorted to 'fisting' if she was told to tuck her finger in a little more (much like person #2), or at least look concerned about how her hands appear.

Originally Posted by troopers #2 doesn't work for me at all...the eyes look unnatural/forced, posing feels tense (especially both hands), the book/pen is out of place (she's siting on a log near a stream with a book/pen...huh?), background texturizing is also unnecessary and very distractive, and the outfit clashes. I think I get what you were attempting at but I'm not sure what you were trying to portray...maybe a more relaxed look with the senior siting on the ground leaning against the log, with a paperback novel in hand and without the striped top??

For a little back story... The book is a journal she has been keeping since the first day of high school. She uses it as a daily diary of her life, to keep her thoughts and feelings of her journey through those four years of her life. She wanted it included in a few poses. Sitting on a log under the shade of a tree near a stream would seem to me a perfect place to gather ones thoughts. Would you prefer a graffiti laden wall with gang bangers driving by?

As far as the texture goes, that's fair, some folks like it some don't. She has the un textured version to choose from too. From the time I spent with her, bet you a nickle she (more importantly her mom) picks the textured version.

Striped top was her choice as part of her favorite casual outfit. This is supposed to be about her and who she is. You may tell your clients that their wardrobe choices stink, but unless it's completely beyond the pale, I don't.

Originally Posted by Qarik the hand is being is no the issue, just th epos of the hand..looks awkward wit he finger sticking gout.

Gotcha!

Originally Posted by Mike J The texture in #2 is not working for me. I find it at odds with the setting.

Thanks for the opinion! I do make a plain version available for the client to choose from also.

Originally Posted by caseya Great shots, no.2 is my fav.

Thanks a bunch!

Originally Posted by anthonyrobinson Looks like a normal relaxed finger cascade to me. I have no problem with it. She may have resorted to 'fisting' if she was told to tuck her finger in a little more (much like person #2), or at least look concerned about how her hands appear.

Thanks for the "second opinion" on the hand thing.

Originally Posted by Bryce Wilson For a little back story... The book is a journal she has been keeping since the first day of high school. She uses it as a daily diary of her life, to keep her thoughts and feelings of her journey through those four years of her life. She wanted it included in a few poses. Sitting on a log under the shade of a tree near a stream would seem to me a perfect place to gather ones thoughts. Would you prefer a graffiti laden wall with gang bangers driving by? As far as the texture goes, that's fair, some folks like it some don't. She has the un textured version to choose from too. From the time I spent with her, bet you a nickle she (more importantly her mom) picks the textured version. Striped top was her choice as part of her favorite casual outfit. This is supposed to be about her and who she is. You may tell your clients that their wardrobe choices stink, but unless it's completely beyond the pale, I don't.

That's cool about the journal.

She (and her mom) may pick the textured version over the un-textured version. What I don't understand is why you even did it, and presented to your client...unless, she specifically asked for a texturized background (which I doubt). Did you provide a menu of different effects and allow the client to choose their favorite? Just trying to understand what you were trying to achieve.

As for the striped top, I get that it's about her, believe me, I do...but, to me, it's no different that posing, location (background), time of day (lighting), etc...they are all elements of the photo (which I assume you advise). If I were you and she wanted the striped top, I would have suggested a different undershirt. And if she insisted on that outfit, perhaps a different location where the background colors are in the same color group/or complementary.

Originally Posted by troopers She (and her mom) may pick the textured version over the un-textured version. What I don't understand is why you even did it, and presented to your client...unless, she specifically asked for a texturized background (which I doubt). Did you provide a menu of different effects and allow the client to choose their favorite? Just trying to understand what you were trying to achieve.

Understandable. My prime motivation on adding the texture was, well frankly, income. Mom had seen the picture posted below on display and went nuts about it. She had asked if I could do something that looked like a painting to one of her portrait too. That pose seemed the best candidate and the result was my "five minute fix".


Baby Boxer by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr

gotcha!