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Took this because she wanted to show off the new haircut. Comments and critique welcome - I realise the background is a bit of a distraction, but wanted to use the light coming through the doors and it was the only spot I could do that.





Cheers,
Owen.

nice pix and lighting...... you could fix the background with some easy blending, blend to the right hand side of your subject and leave the rest alone, will also lift the subject out of the b/g a little

I think you've done well Owen. I don't find the background all that distracting but she could probably do with a little more head space. Also, I'd darken off the bottom of the frame a little as I find my eye drawn to her arms more than her face.

Your partner looks very relaxed; there's even a slight hint of attitude in there and I love the hair!

All round, well done.

I really pleasing portrait which I really like, but what does she think ? I find other then myself my wife's my toughest critique particular of images of her.
Really nice lighting (natural window light ?).

Owen
Lovely portrait and you picked the perfect light! The only suggestion I have is that you should not cut the hands in half. They should be wholly included as they add interest to a portrait. Cutting them in half weakens the composition at the bottom of the frame. But still a lovely image.

Thanks for all the comments. I have cropped this version and so have a bit of room around her in the original. I'll have a fiddle and repost. Cheers

(Yes, afternoon light from a sliding door)

Alpha_7 wrote:I really pleasing portrait which I really like, but what does she think ? I find other then myself my wife's my toughest critique particular of images of her.
Really nice lighting (natural window light ?).

Agreed. She let me post it online which for her is as good as saying she thinks it's near perfect hehe.

owen wrote:Agreed. She let me post it online which for her is as good as saying she thinks it's near perfect hehe.

Definite sign of approval there

First post edited to include a redone image based on crop suggestions...


Thanks!

Second version is perfect you've got the hands, portrait complete!

Owen
I can now see why you cropped as you did. The image now seems too long and the proportions are unbalanced. Perhaps a reshoot with her sitting in a high-back chair...back straight and in the same dress and lighting conditions. Her hands could then be clasped in her lap. Hands can be very problematic in portraits and need careful placement. It's the little things that make or break portraits and I think you are very close to perfection....so back you both go!

I would do an even more drastic crop to just below the breast line to give a more square crop. The main interest is the face and this is being lost in the crop as is. Lighting is very nice and the crop would alleviate the ”drab” colour of the clothing.

Thanks heaps for the suggestions guys.

The reason for the long photo is to get rid of a distracting cat scratching post out of the back of the image. I'll see if I can convince Lisa of the need for a reshoot

Cheers,
Owen.

I agree with Chris about the square crop.

I'd also like to see a little less sharpening, and also a little less contrast the PP; I think these images may benefit from a little more gradation in the tonal range available.

I was also thinking along the lines of what Chris wrote.
You may also wish to crop higher just under the pendant?
Regards Colin