Heather at Lawrencetown Beach

[mellowinman]

I'm certainly glad you didn't put hours and hours into it. I appreciate the view of the changed image from an educational standpoint but it would be unlikely that I would end up using it anywhere but here so the time would have been wasted.

Thanks for the tips. I don't actually have anyone paying me for my images so I can really just play. In this case my daughter and I were out shooting together when I suggested I take a couple of shots of her. I wanted to get her out of direct sunlight to avoid having her squint but I also wanted that light to light up her face as much as possible. Combine that with being on the beach -- no trees! -- and not having a either a diffuser or reflector or anyone or anything to hold one if I did have one we see the result.

I've often wondered though at the idea of getting rid of all the harsh light and maintaining "perfect" lighting on the face. It just doesn't seem real to me and I wonder if people are trying to be too perfect. Just thinking out loud....what do I know??

I agree with you. I like imperfection in photography, just like real life. The only thought I have about shadow in photos is that the human eye compensates for them; the camera lens does not. So these are two divurgent ways of thinking; neither more correct than the other. I think we need balance in our work, and yes, all art is subjective, so people with more knowledge and skill than I can critique me, and still be WRONG. Still, they are always worth listening to, in case they open my mind to something I wouldn't have thought of myself.

Your original photo is lovely, and so is your daughter.

[Mad Aussie]

No time to read through all the others comments so forgive me repeating anything said before.

Nice choice of background but I would have had the horizon away from her face ... so either cutting through her shoulder or neck, OR, up high in her forehead.

If you're serious about better portraits (maybe you just meant snapshot type portraits?) then little things like wayward hairs are worth dealing with. Mostly those that protrude down into her face and eye areas.

It looks like some fill flash was used but don't be shy Iggy ... fire that sucker up and try some strong fill as well. You might be surprised at the result in a case like this where strong shadows are present.
Turning her slightly more to HER left might have shaded her face entirely from the sun and created some back/side light through her hair too.

Apart from that, maybe go for a specific emotion or feel. Coy, happy, sad, sexy, whatever, anything other than ... well ... not much at all if you get my drift.

[BzdegaPhotography]

Here's my version, I know you liked the color but her eyes are stunning for BW/Sepia tones and it was much easier to soften the skin tones so that the shadow across the nose was not so distinct. Beautiful photo your way as well.
a reflector would have been all you needed, even a white coat if your stuck?

[Iguanasan]

I agree with you. I like imperfection in photography, just like real life. The only thought I have about shadow in photos is that the human eye compensates for them; the camera lens does not. So these are two divurgent ways of thinking; neither more correct than the other. I think we need balance in our work, and yes, all art is subjective, so people with more knowledge and skill than I can critique me, and still be WRONG. Still, they are always worth listening to, in case they open my mind to something I wouldn't have thought of myself.

Your original photo is lovely, and so is your daughter.

Thanks and thanks... some things to think about.

No time to read through all the others comments so forgive me repeating anything said before.

Nice choice of background but I would have had the horizon away from her face ... so either cutting through her shoulder or neck, OR, up high in her forehead.

If you're serious about better portraits (maybe you just meant snapshot type portraits?) then little things like wayward hairs are worth dealing with. Mostly those that protrude down into her face and eye areas.

It looks like some fill flash was used but don't be shy Iggy ... fire that sucker up and try some strong fill as well. You might be surprised at the result in a case like this where strong shadows are present.
Turning her slightly more to HER left might have shaded her face entirely from the sun and created some back/side light through her hair too.

Apart from that, maybe go for a specific emotion or feel. Coy, happy, sad, sexy, whatever, anything other than ... well ... not much at all if you get my drift

I am serious, though admittedly, this one was kind of spur of the moment and not a lot of thought put into it. These are great suggestions for the next time.

Here's my version, I know you liked the color but her eyes are stunning for BW/Sepia tones and it was much easier to soften the skin tones so that the shadow across the nose was not so distinct. Beautiful photo your way as well.
a reflector would have been all you needed, even a white coat if your stuck?

Thanks! B&W is an interesting take on it.