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Grabbed this shot of one of my workmates and I rather like it. Not too fussed with the straight on aspect, but it captures her personality well.

Any suggestions for a better crop?? Not sure about the square version, but doesn't crop well as a traditional portrait unless I lose a lot of the sides.

Comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Judy

if it's a hi res image and your gettign a lot of detail in the face crop it square real close so you fit her whole face in the square frame, of course this will only work if you have excessive detail in the image if it's soft it may not have the desired effect. Try it in B+W, her face tells the story everything else is secondary, i dind the jacket and the strap on her neck distracting also suggests work.

Personality is everything - it's beautiful

perhaps try a couple more when she's not posing that would be more candid and natural

Thanks Wendell - great suggestions. I'll go and have another play.

Yep, she has a fantastic personality, real bubbly and cheeky . I should pluck up the courage to see if she'll do a 'shoot' with me. I'd really like to try some more formal portraits but lack willing subjects.

Thanks
Judy

Couple of variations...

Judy

too tight?

It is an interesting personality shot not a classical portrait if it captures the person then it is good so your choice is always the right one.

this would be my way of cropping the shot but i would have made the shot differently.

face and shoulders flat on to the camera is very defensive try to angle the body so one shoulder is closer to the camera it makes the person look more approachable.

Chin up is important shy people will drop their chin as a submission thing.

Try reading some books or stuff about non verbal body language. it looks to me that she is only just tolerating having her photo taken and is not at all comfortable or relaxed. This may be what you were looking for?

Asian faces are typically broad and flat it is considered more flattering to have them facing slightly off camera with eyes looking at the camera.

A flat grey background is not really flattering nor is the Commonwealth bank lanyard around the neck.

Rules are made to be broken and they can be broken with good results. but it is better to know and follow the rules first then go out and break them later.

Cheers doug

Thanks for the great tips and suggestions Doug, much appreciated.

This was a real grab shot - just fooling around as she was sitting at her desk, didn't really expect it to turn out at all.

I agree that square on isn't at all flattering, and I was also standing and looking down on her slightly (over a divider) which didn't help. Thanks for the idea of having her facing slightly sideways - I can see how that would help a lot.

To add insult to injury I also used the built in flash LOL.

I've got a version cropped similarly to yours, and have also cloned out the darned 'necklace'.

All in all probably a good example of how not to take portraits but I do like her expression.

Thanks again guys, really appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Cheers
Judy

no problem I hope I was not too harsh?

I get a bit fanatical sometimes

She has a beautiful sweet face and a great shy look, why not go out to lunch one day? find a shady street cafe with some nice soft natural side lighting shallow depth of field and a relaxed atmosphere and you could really get something interesting.

oops I'm getting fanatical again


cheers doug

Hi Doug

Heck no, I appreciate the feedback.

hehe, she's not at all shy - far from it! She would be real fun to have a shoot with, I just need to pluck up the courage to ask. I'll work on that

Thanks
Judy

So who is the shy one?

Seriously I am the worlds shyest person I don't often drink in public because the real me comes out and goes and sits quietly in a corner by himself. People who know me say I am a jeckel and hyde becoming a different person when I have a camera in my hands.

many years ago I realized i could not be shy and reserved and a good photographer so I adopted a persona that can go anywhere do anything and ask anyone.

the strange thing is I found most people are really flattered by a "stranger" wanting to take their photo. Photos are a way of recording who you are

look at most of the photos taken and they are: "this is me at or with..........."

When someone not related asks for your photo it is saying you are important enough for me to want to record you. It is usually a good experience for both the photographer and the subject.

I guess what I am getting at is ask tell her why you want the photos what you want to do with them and give her copies. Then go and have some fun. Don't spend your life sitting in a corner wondering if you can do stuff just do it!

then worry about it later

cheers doug

 PS:

Dear Judy's workmate

Doug says Judy has to take you out for coffee and take you photo or he will be upset.

yours sincerly Doug Steley

A photographer