Did my first pro photo shoot Wednesday

[Clint]

I've only been serious about photography for a year now, though I've had classes dating back to the early 90's. By word of mouth I was asked to shoot the staff of a local abstract company, about 36 people, mostly women. I took the job at a cut rate just to get the experience. I have little interest in portraiture, but it's a good exercise in lighting and subject management.

I won't post any of those shots, but I think they came out well. Jolene assisted me and did a wonderful job. She's encouraged me to take some of the family sessions I'm getting asked for. Maybe I will.

So, this week I became focused on my portrait post-processing. Here's one of my lovely assistant and wife through ten years and two children. I've done some skin work since the poor girl suffers from adult acne and scars from her teen years. Please take a look and let me know if anything looks unnatural or odd. I know the lighting's not great, but I'm working on that, too, and my budget is limited.

Thanks for looking.

[diamond_jim]

Cool. I don't know much about photography but I know they always tell me to turn my head slightly and bring my chin down. I guess that improves the pic with the lighting, shadows and stuff. Great job.

You mentioned the face acne. Here's a little story. Back in 2005 I was dating this seriously fine chic. She was 25 then. And she had fairly significant acne scaring on both cheeks. It bothered her. But it didn't bother me. It may sound funny but to me it was a part of her. It was a part of who she was and how I knew her. And she was so dang sexy. It's almost as if to take the scars away would be, well, less of her. So after we broke up, every once in a while I'd see a beautiful woman with some acne scaring and my heart would skip a beat cause it took me back to the thought of that girl. Men often think different than women but they don't quite realize it.

[drgibson]

Hmm, she doesn't look blind.

I have some suggestions but they'll have to wait till I have more time. Over all not bad I can't tell thet the skin has been touched up.

[Clint]

I meant to write a bit about that. I don't even see her scars. I've loved her since I was 17 years old, and to me it doesn't even exist. Of course, she doesn't feel that way.

Edit: Thanks, Don. I'm all ears.

[Sgt Mike]

Great picture of a great looking lady. You did an excellent job.

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I don't even see her scars. I've loved her since I was 17 years old, and to me it doesn't even exist. Of course, she doesn't feel that way.

Amen. You know exactly what I mean. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Except the 17 year-old thing.

[kay]

Clint, great pic.
It's also great that you've got a good "teacher" here.

Lighting can really make the difference but can get expensive if you start going after what you think is ideal.

I work with a lot of photographers but I would hate to even think about all the investments they had to make.

[Ext1jdh]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I've loved her since I was 17 years old

So she was, what, 5 or 6 years old then

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by Ext1jdh

So she was, what, 5 or 6 years old then

No you ain't! That just ain't right!

[Clint]

Hehe. She's 3 months younger than me. We're 34.

[busa-boy33]

Excellent job Clint. Looks great!!

[Clint]

Thanks!

[Low&Slow]

I've said it before after looking at some of your other photo's, you've missed your calling. Very few people have a natural eye for photography, IMO you do, so if you enjoy it stick with it.

[Trapper]

Don't count out pet portraits. Big biz not a ton of competition. Nice picture.

[KD57]

[SNAFU]

Very nice portrait.

[drgibson]

Originally Posted by Low&Slow

I've said it before after looking at some of your other photo's, you've missed your calling. Very few people have a natural eye for photography, IMO you do, so if you enjoy it stick with it.

From someone who has been behind a Camera lens for over 30 years I concur and I've told Clint as much.

Ok I have a few minutes, obviously there is nothing wrong with this portrait, and a lot of what I see that I’d do different is a mater of personal preference. Photography is very subjective.

First the background while it is not distracting it doesn’t add to the photo. Try to use contrasting colors and stay away from colors that blend in with the subject. Go to the fabric store and pick up some black muslin or velvet and some white muslin. I use these colors more than any other, they have great contrast.

The lighting is almost too even, did you use some sort of soften filter on it? The light that is cast on her hair and in her eyes could be sharper and brighter. The light in her eyes looks defused and that makes her eyes look a little dull. Combine the defused look of the light with the gray background and the photo looses some of its eye-catching quality.

As I was just finishing this up I checked the photo out on another PC...

Disregard all but the background comments, now to adjust my monitor.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Please take a look and let me know if anything looks unnatural or odd.

{intimid8er rummages around.....looking for anything unnatural or odd}


Nope.

Only thing I find unnatural or odd is such a beautiful looking lady is still with your raggedy self!


{ducks.....runs}

[Clint]

LOL @ Tim. Yeah, yeah.

You're right, Don. My background is gray paper. It's all I own right now. I got damn lucky with the shoot wednesday when my contact at the office supplied a roll of blue fabric. In hindsight, my gray would've been really bland. Whew!

I shoot at home in a small room with unfinished drywall. I used a hotshoe flash mounted on a cheap tripod and a white umbrella. It's not a bad setup for what I spent, but I need to work on model and light position. This was from one of my very first attempts.

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I shoot at home in a small room with unfinished drywall. I used a hotshoe flash mounted on a cheap tripod and a white umbrella. It's not a bad setup for what I spent, but I need to work on model and light position. This was from one of my very first attempts.

Isn't that how several of the porn mags got started up?