Critiques please?

[Nikkofan]

Hi

This is just a quick shot I took of 3 year old Pia last week. I'd like to hear your reviews of it, as I haven't had much feedback on photos in the past (except for wedding shot reviews by those I've assisted) and how you think the shots like this could be improved, for future reference.

Unfortunately, I can only seem to get it to appear in this post as a small size, but it can be viewed larger in Pixspot. I followed Stubbsy's "How To" sticky post but am I doing something wrong?

Thanks.

[redline]

hey nikonfan,
are you linking to the thumbnail rather than the full image?
its hard to tell how sharpness and dof is played out in your images but a general for portraits is not to break the nose over the cheek line.

[johndec]

Lovely portrait Nikko. The reason only the thumbnail sized pic is showing in you post is because that is what you asked it to show. You copied and pasted the properties of the thumb rather than the full sized image

[Geoff]

Hi

This is just a quick shot I took of 3 year old Pia last week. I'd like to hear your reviews of it, as I haven't had much feedback on photos in the past (except for wedding shot reviews by those I've assisted) and how you think the shots like this could be improved, for future reference.

Unfortunately, I can only seem to get it to appear in this post as a small size, but it can be viewed larger in Pixspot. I followed Stubbsy's "How To" sticky post but am I doing something wrong?

Thanks.

Hi Nikkofan - u are VERY close to the mark..but you have to go to the large image in pixspot and then go to properties of THAT image, not the thumbnail. Here is how it should be:



This is yours:

http://www.pixspot.com/albums/userpics/thumb_Pia.jpg

this is mine:

http://www.pixspot.com/albums/userpics/normal_Pia.jpg

As for the photo you took, it's 'nice' but nothing extra ordinary if you want my honest opinion. I think you could do a bit with it with the contrast etc and I would have much preferred to see all of Pia's face, not just one side of it. I might have a play around with it if you don't mind..

Geoff.

[Geoff]

Here is what I did, a few mins in ps, with adjustment to the levels and contrast, just what I think is a bit better, but of course this is all very subjective!

[sirhc55]

Nikko - a beautiful shot - angle is great and the expression - priceless.

Geoff - nice work - Nikko your shot was a tad flat

[SoCal Steve]

a general for portraits is not to break the nose over the cheek line.

I haven't heard this before but would really like to know what it means. Could you explain it more, Redline?

IMO trying to demonstrate tonal changes by posting here may be futile. I doubt that what I'm actually seeing is what Geoff saw on his monitor when he posted it. Monitors differ, compression changes things a little, I've found that even just uploading to Pixspot seems to wash things out a little bit. BTW little Pia is a doll. What amazing big blue eyes.

[Nikkofan]

Thanks those critiques & for the tweaking Geoff.

I agree with the improved effect of the contrast, etc - looks much better. Interesting that you said you would like to see the whole of the face because, knowing her so well, I thought the angle of the face and the inquisitive expression captures her pretty well. But, you're right, another angle would have lent, well, "another angle" to the story, so to speak.

I would also like to know more about the Portrait Rule mentioned - haven't heard of this.

Oh, and you're right - IMHO, she is a doll (well, most of the time ... Terrible Threes notwithstanding!) You certainly know what to say to the Proud Parent!

Thanks again for your critiques - it's given me more ideas and a bit of encouragement.

[Link]

Nice photo, I like the combination of colours (blond hair and pink shirt) which gives this 'doll' aspect. The light is Ok and, from the moment you've got the sharpness right, the idea is to pretty much experiment with different poses / expression, establish a good rapport with the subject and have fun (and yes, take a lot of pictures!)

Link

[Matt. K]

I have little problem with the tonal range or the contrast...it's the composition. All of the visual energy drops down through the bottom of the image in the vicinity of her chin. Her eyes, nose hairline and chin all lead the eye out of the image area. But don't let that discourage you....try again...and perhaps ask her to look for her reflection in the lens...this way you will get eye contact, and eye contact is quite powerful.

[Nikkofan]

Not discouraged at all. Will take hints to heart and practice, practice. Fortunately, Pia is a willing subject!

Thanks again.

[Nicole]

Yes those eyes are great. I agree that the original was a touch flat. The composition is ok with me. It's different.

[leek]

Here is what I did, a few mins in ps, with adjustment to the levels and contrast, just what I think is a bit better, but of course this is all very subjective!

As you said - it is subjective, but personally I think you probably overdid it in Photoshop... On my monitor it looks as if Pia has lipstick and other make-up on... Probably not appropriate...

I agree that the original was a little flat, but I wouldn't have tweaked the colours that much...

[Greg B]

Maybe compensate for the added contrast with a touch of desaturation?

e.g.

[flipfrog]

Nikkofan:

i like this portrait for its unique composition, angle....
great shot!

i cant see the original image tho, im getting the lil red X

[redline]

"a general for portraits is not to break the nose over the cheek line"
sorry for not replying i been out for the past few days.
from your pic you can see that the childs nose is overlapping her right cheek, which is a general no-no. just having her tilt her head to the left to bring back the right side of her face.
sorry vincent iam going to quote one of your photos here


Most of my golf shots have broken this rule but i'am not game enough to stand any futher in front of this ppl and cop a golf ball.

anyway, rules were meant to be broken

[Nikkofan]

Thanks Redline

When I thought about this rule and looked at other portraits, it became fairly self-explanatory!

I can see what you mean by the portrait you've just posted - very nice and it does make a difference seeing the whole of the face. But I'm a stubborn little git and I still like the angle of Pia's face in this portrait! That doesn't mean that I won't try to stick to the rule in other portraits though

Thanks for your feedback - appreciated (despite stubborn streak!)

[sirhc55]

Nikkofan - as redline has stated rules are mean’t to be ignored, sometimes - if we stayed with rules then we would not produce photos that stay with us for a long time.

[Mal]

Intersting about the "nose" rule.
I think the only rule I follow is not to let my kids touch the camera!

[Nikkofan]

Amen to that!!

[redline]

np.
its good to know the rules before you break them.

[Matt. K]

There is only one "rule". Don't photograph people against a brick wall.