April 2009 Photography Assignment - Portraits (human)

**AntZ** · 04-14-2009, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by marko

Antz - This photo made me laugh because of the blond boy's "cheese" smile. The lighting is quite nice indeed but the cropping could be better.

In what way? I have left some more of the clothing in than I may have normally, because the PJs are what the kids are "showing off".

**Marko** · 04-15-2009, 10:24 AM

The blond boy (sorry I'm bad with names) has his hand cut off. You also cut off his left arm. It's just a bit too tight for me; I like the crop on your daughter's side much better.

Mixed heights are often an issue when posing. Sometimes what helps is artificially making them the same height (one sitting one standing etc)
Hope that helps - marko

**casil403** · 04-18-2009, 09:15 PM

This is my new little friend Maggie (and her Dad) who I met today at the Chinese Cultural Center. Maggie was very interested in my picture taking and asked if she could see what I was doing. I showed her. Then she asked if I would take a picture of her...I said yes if it was okay with her Dad.
I decided to submit this as a portrait cuz she was just too darned cute...the picture in no way does justice to her cuteness...(although she is pretty darned cute in this shot)

. She really liked her picture too btw.
Please excuse the lighting...I was a bit rushed because her Mom (in the background was waiting).

**JAS_Photo** · 04-19-2009, 01:52 AM

Awww...very cute! Nice big smile!

**Mad Aussie** · 04-19-2009, 05:22 AM

Here's a candid from a portrait shoot we did this afternoon ...

Note to self ... to relax the model don't tell dirty jokes

**Marko** · 04-19-2009, 09:10 AM

Cute shot casil.
I like this one MA - great expression here. Great timing on the shutter click. The lighting is too harsh for the subject though IMO.

**Mad Aussie** · 04-19-2009, 02:38 PM

Here's one from that same shoot ...

**Marko** · 04-20-2009, 12:34 PM

I like this one better MA - less harsh. I might dodge the eyes a wee bit more for more punch. In general, most subjects (especially female) are not fond of this type of lighting (harsh - shadowy) as it is far less flattering than soft bright light.

PHOTOGRAPHERS of course love this stuff and IMO we should use it whenever we want, we just need to know that there's a good chance our subjects won't be entirely happy with the results (or would have preferred a more flattering portrait).