Home › Forums › Photography Q&A › Portrait photographer skills and photo critique
- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 2 months ago by
James Staddon.
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August 25, 2019 at 9:34 pm #43231
Ethan Rambeck
ParticipantAugust 31, 2019 at 1:55 pm #43415Lydia B
ParticipantHey there @erambeck! Great topic to bring up!
What sets apart a great portrait photographer from an average one.
Hmm good question, I’m sure you could get a lot of opinions on that! 🙂 I feel like I have to think a little bit more about this one, but my first thought is that a great portrait photographer would have a good understanding of their camera and composition, and know how to utilize that to capture genuine expression well.
Thoughts on this photo, specifically what could I have done better.
What I like about this photo:
• It’s simple – you have a clear subject and a simple background (although, more on that under “what I don’t like” 🙂 )
• The expression of the girl is real; she doesn’t look stiff or uncomfortable
• Unique pose with her looking back over her shoulderWhat I don’t like about this photo:
• Distractions in background: cracks in pavement, edge of driveway cuts across her neck
• Not much depth
• Blurry/ Not tack sharpWhat I would change:
• Look for a nicer background – something that would be enjoyable to look at
• Watch out for things like hair getting a little messy through the course of a shoot. Take a moment to ask her to fix her hair if it’s become windlown, or straighten clothes out if they’ve become wrinkled, or other things like that.
• I love golden hour (hour after sunrise or hour before sunset), it can add lovely natural lighting to the subject.Hope that helps a little bit! Let me know if you’d like elaboration on any of that. 🙂
Keep working at it, Ethan! Portrait photography can be incredibly rewarding!
September 1, 2019 at 7:03 pm #43470Ethan Rambeck
ParticipantThanks Lydia!
I didn’t notice that the pavement line cut right though her neck before, thats defiantly something I will look out for in the future. And now that you mention it I really don’t like the lack of depth. The picture probably seems blurry because I downsized it more then then I needed to. oops!
September 2, 2019 at 2:36 pm #43519James Staddon
KeymasterWelcome to the forums, @erambeck!
I think of a great portrait photographer as one who can naturally pull out the personality of a subject and showcase it in an artistic way to the viewer. A second-nature understanding of camera equipment, composition and body language are integral to helping a photographer intentionally interact with their subjects in such a way to accomplish these goals.
My initial impression of this photo is that your subject was out on an evening jog and happened to look over at a photographer standing by the side of the road. Whether this is the “personality” and “artistic expression” that was intended or not, that’s how I interpreted the elements that were presented.
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