A few B&W Portraits of young lass Lizzie.

Iconindustries · #1 December 13th, 2012, 04:52 AM

Here's a few more portraits of a friend. Putting a feeler out there if you guys like these black and white tones. I don't want to get stuck in a rut with what I think looks good and I need some feedback. In the past I've done all of my black and white work in LR and since I've picked up a new macbook I wanted to just stick with Aperture. So bit by bit I'm getting it to a stage where I like my black and whites. Are they ok or do I need to make any B&W adjustments?

grebeman · #2 December 13th, 2012, 07:39 AM

Brady, let me say straight away that I'm no portrait photographer. To me number one lets the set down. You've chosen a background that, whilst it's out of focus has become very distracting overall. Your processing might have given that undue emphasis. What I guess is some very delicate headscarf over your models hair seems to be smeared in places and also has hard, distracting edges. Having said that your friends hair, face and shirt are good. It seems strange to have a photograph almost of two halves.

As a non portrait photographer numbers two and three look good to me. I guess the pose in number two reflects in some way the character of your model.

I trust these comments are taken as constructive.

Barrie

dogs100 · #3 December 13th, 2012, 08:07 AM

Brady

I am not a portrait photographer either but unlike Grebeman I really liked Number 1. It gives me the feel of an oil painting ...

Isn't it strange that the two comments so far have come from Devon.

Geoff

Bill Gordon · #4 December 13th, 2012, 08:09 AM

In my humble opinion I thing that your impressions of this very pretty young woman are excellent.....keep up the good work!! Just the thoughts of an old man that many years ago took portraits for $$$.

fin azvandi · #5 December 13th, 2012, 08:16 AM

I agree with Barrie - maybe you could tone down the background in #1 by brushing in a lower exposure or add some vignetting?

grebeman · #6 December 13th, 2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogs100

Brady

I am not a portrait photographer either but unlike Grebeman I really liked Number 1. It gives me the feel of an oil painting ...

Isn't it strange that the two comments so far have come from Devon.

Geoff

south Devon and north Devon eh, we'm be different, oh and Barrie is good with me by the way Geoff

, Brady and I go back a ways on

although I've been rather absent on here for some months so he'll know who you mean.

Barrie

caimi · #7 December 13th, 2012, 09:13 AM

A photogenic subject always helps and Lizzie fits the bill. I like more contrast rather than the grey tones you've selected in one and two. But all three are winners.

dogs100 · #8 December 13th, 2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grebeman

south Devon and north Devon eh, we'm be different, oh and Barrie is good with me by the way Geoff

, Brady and I go back a ways on

although I've been rather absent on here for some months so he'll know who you mean.

Barrie

Barrie

Thanks for the friendly post. I always look for your posts as I am in awe of your 'bird' knowledge, it is good to see.

Geoff

Christilou · #9 December 13th, 2012, 10:52 AM

I'm only a dabbler too but to my mind Barrie is right. The first thing I saw in number 1 was the bokeh circles and then the scarf. The piece around her neck looks, at first glance, like the sleeve and so it seems out of context with her arm being in the wrong place and so I would lose the scarf myself! Nothing wrong with the others, they show her character but I would soften them a little so that edges are not so hard but then I would say that wouldn't I :) I was just re reading your text regarding the actual B & W. There are lots of filters in Camera Bag and it's very cheap. Really easy to experiment with the tones that you like.

Hyubie · #10 December 13th, 2012, 11:14 AM

+1 on the distracting background, but I like the scarf. It adds a flowing feminine touch to the subject. However, the upper portion of the picture seems bright compared to the scarf bunched at the bottom - I kind of like the tones of that bunch of scarf. Or maybe I am just being distracted by the background.