http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5994/dsc0014dd7.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7167/dsc0028cm5.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6868/dsc0008wk2.jpg





Please be honest and beat me up real good. I really want to learn.:)
This is my idea of creating ang image. I'm into portraiture.

Hello JM. I'm no expert, but if I may give my thoughts...

1st image: I see some noise. I like the composition, though.
2nd image: The colors look saturated. I like the composition of this one, too.
3rd image: Some noise, lacks sharpness. I also think it could have been better if the ear and back portion of the head isn't cut.

I like the first image best because for me it somehow conveys a message about the subject (although I don't know what his job is.)

what lenses are you using? which camera?

i see Noise...tune down your ISO on the first & third image,....Mumber 2 is somewhat distorted....what lens are you using...try 50mm F1.8 that is good for portraits....tack sharp and good Bokeh....If you have the dough go for the 1.4 or 1.2

greeting sir...
just a few comments the images indeed are a bit noisy.. perhaps try to take pics in well lit places... outdoors maybe? the skin tone is a bit off... (or it could be my monitor) but you can prevent this if you set the WB correctly or just shoot raw... i also notice a bit of blur on the third picture.. possibly attributed to camera shake... be careful of slower speeds... though i believe this is also probably due to the fact the the camera needed more time to let light in given that the place was not that well lit to begin with...

hi there JM,

1st photo: i think a tighter crop would do the trick. though the guy has no emotion. it was as if you just called his name and took a photo of him when he looked your way.

3rd photo: same as the comments before me. what is the exif of the photo, if you don't mind.

share more and take criticisms in a positive manner. at the end of the day, we ALL learn from each other. :)

Thanks guys. I appreciate it very much. Kit lens from a D40 is what I use currently. I intend on buying the 85 1.8 but I got news that Nikon halted the production of the D40, so I'll hold off for now on buying that one in the meantime.

First pic is at P mode, auto-ISO from the camera.
Second pic is the same as above. Increased the saturation at PP
Third is apperture priority, desaturate at PP. I shot it on available light as you can notice from the source.

I am guilty of using automatic settings, at my current situation, I am limited to rely on these in the meantime. I will go at manual shooting eventually.

Lastly, my idea is emotions and power. That's why I'm a sucker for portraits. If you know Yousuf Karsh, you will guys know. :)

Keep the criticism comming, I need it.

Hi there JM! I'm not an expert but nonetheless I'll share my thoughts.:Grin:

Have you tried calibrating your monitor first? It's possible that we don't see the images the way you see them.

The second image that you post-processed for more saturation appears over-saturated to me. There's too much contrast. And the shadow level is blocked up (the black part of the shirt). Not unless you were really going for that. The capture itself is okay by the way.

The third one confuses me. I don't know if you wanted to put a monotone effect or lessen the saturation or really desaturate it. I still see it as a "colored" picture, it's almost as vibrant as the first one. About the capture, I think you've set the aperture too high so the shutter speed had to compensate, considering the ISO is high to give that much noise - you were not supposed to have problems with the shutter speed. Hmmm....

As much as possible keep your ISO low, you don't want those noise in your beautiful portraits.

So there, I cannot point out anything else. You might be seeing your post-processed images "correct" with your current display setup so I suggest you try looking at them on a different monitor. If everything's fine please tell me that it's mine that needs tweaking.:Scared:

I agree with other comments about noise and saturation. And for my taste, first picture has a busy background and i wish the second picture had a more lighter color to have a good contrast with the skin tone.

mga sir, Medyo out of topic ako pero do you always post-process your pictures kasi napapansin ko ang gaganda ng kulay ng mga kuha nyo. Newbie din me pero most of colors ng shots ko eh parang bland ang kulay. Meron ba kayong mga steps to do para naman pagandahin yun kulay?

Thanks

I don't really care about noise and color. What's most important is how your subject projects and how you light your subject. Composition follows the emotion created with your familiarity with the subject. Try to look at sites of photogs who specialiaze at portraits. Just my two cents.

Dave, what I was trying to achieve is to tone the colors down to make it feel comfortable on that third pic. To give a relaxing feel along with the subject. And to me that slight blur helped it too.

Sami, thanks for the input. I'll study it further. And yes, I think about making a great image first, then the technicalities/post processing second.

Interesting feedback from you guys. Diversity is so amazing ain't it? More please.

Here's some more. Tell me any flaws you see that I don't. Be brutally honest.:)

I was focusing on the face, especially the eyes by the way. Tell me what I've missed.



http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3100/ver0approvedxl4.jpg


http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/4069/dsc0046mo5.jpg

Hi JM,

Regarding the first set of photos, if you would like to take my advise and honestly I'd like to help you because your from KSA and you like portraiture just like me. :)You have to read the manual, not like reading it, decode it. There are things inside the manual to tweak your settings to come out sharp and with vibrant colors and how you shoot for portrait. Believe me, read it 10 times or test each topic every week. You will be amaze if you find out that its all in the manual. Take it from me, I'm a leaving proof :D

Cheers,

1st photo: The light at the back seems to be distracting for me. The attention is drawn to it.
2nd photo: Looks ok for me.
3rd photo: This looks like it's out of focus. If doing portrait, always focus on the eye and recompose the picture. Make sure eyes are always sharp. Even if doing PP make sure the eyes stays sharp.

The B&W works for me. Nice tight shots. Good facial expressions. Just the wash out on the 1st photo. Overexpose thru PP or the photo itself? Upper left forehead overexpose lost details there. Also on the upper right eyebrow patch of white. Meter your shots well. You always have your LCD to check on the exposure and composition. And in case something is wrong take it again. If not Photoshop it. :Grin:. But a friend told me once. Do it right the first time, you'll spend less time in the computer and more time shooting.

Practice, practice, practice. :)

Yeah it happened on PP, I'm aware of the wash outs. Tried dodging it but I could not save it. I shot them on a sunny cloudless sky, 9am, sunlight was too strong. I coped up with whatever is in my surroundings.

And Edner thanks for the advice. I am reading it again and again when opportunity presents itself. ^_^

What's C & C?? Thanks :)

What's C & C?? Thanks :)

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that it stands for Comments and Critiques. Or the other way around.:) Hehehe....

In any case, it's for inviting other DPP members to view and share personal views about your images.

check your WB settings bro.

I don't really care about noise and color. What's most important is how your subject projects and how you light your subject. Composition follows the emotion created with your familiarity with the subject. Try to look at sites of photogs who specialiaze at portraits. Just my two cents.

Totally agree with this comments. dont care about the noise.... focus with composition and lightings:):)

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that it stands for Comments and Critiques. Or the other way around.:) Hehehe....

In any case, it's for inviting other DPP members to view and share personal views about your images.


Thanks! I'll post my C & C and photos for C & C soon ...