Results 1 to 5 of 5
Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Zenbohemian

Soft focus portrait

This is a discussion on Soft focus portrait within the Critiques forums, part of the Photography & Fine art photography category; When taking portraits earlier this year, the light got really low and my vision started to go (it's not strong ...

  1. #1
    Zenbohemian's Avatar
    Zenbohemian is offline Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    33
    My Photos
    Please ask before editing my photos
    Critiques
    Critique my photos anywhere in the forum

    Default Soft focus portrait

    When taking portraits earlier this year, the light got really low and my vision started to go (it's not strong at the best of times) yet I didn't want to stop taking photos so I intentionally soft focused a few shots.

    I do like the effect, to be honest, but I'm not sure this photo works. I like minimalism but I think this might be too dull. Ideally, I'd like the figure to be to the left side, not the right, but I think I'm okay with that part.

    So my questions to you are: is this too dull? Is the composition too weak?

    Any and all comments are welcome, related to my question or not.

    Thanks!


    Name:  _DSC0703PS_sm2.jpg
Views: 290
Size:  269.5 KB
    Last edited by Zenbohemian; 10-10-2014 at 12:51 AM. Reason: P

  2. #2
    theantiquetiger's Avatar
    theantiquetiger is offline Moderator
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge
    Posts
    2,774
    My Photos
    Please feel free to edit my photos
    Critiques
    Critique my photos anywhere in the forum

    Default

    To me, it is pretty darn strong, I love it!!!

    Only thing I may try, since it is completely not following the focus rule, don't follow the composition rule. I would make it a square crop, cutting off the left side at the chair (putting him center frame). The hard corner of the chair is drawing my eyes to it, away from him.

    I am about 50/50 whether it needs lightened just a tad (especially in his beard and hair)
    "The worst thing about taking a great image is that your next one has to be better!"

  3. #3
    Zenbohemian's Avatar
    Zenbohemian is offline Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    33
    My Photos
    Please ask before editing my photos
    Critiques
    Critique my photos anywhere in the forum

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by theantiquetiger View Post

    Only thing I may try, since it is completely not following the focus rule, don't follow the composition rule. I would make it a square crop, cutting off the left side at the chair (putting him center frame). The hard corner of the chair is drawing my eyes to it, away from him.
    Thanks so much for your input! And the compliment is always nice to get, too.

    I've tried cropping it square but it seems unbalanced to me, though admittedly it may still be stronger than what I posted.

    What about burning/gradient the left side so that the edge of the chair blends seamlessly into a darkened background? I'm thinking that there needs to be something to balance the busier right side, and a large, dark area might help. It would stop your eye from wandering off from him, I think.

    When I'm back from Thanksgiving weekend perhaps I'll try that and post to get your opinion.

  4. #4
    theantiquetiger's Avatar
    theantiquetiger is offline Moderator
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge
    Posts
    2,774
    My Photos
    Please feel free to edit my photos
    Critiques
    Critique my photos anywhere in the forum

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Zenbohemian View Post
    When I'm back from Thanksgiving weekend perhaps I'll try that and post to get your opinion.
    I couldn't figure out this statement at first, but then I realized you crazy Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in Oct due to the earlier harvest.
    "The worst thing about taking a great image is that your next one has to be better!"

  5. #5
    Zenbohemian's Avatar
    Zenbohemian is offline Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    33
    My Photos
    Please ask before editing my photos
    Critiques
    Critique my photos anywhere in the forum

    Default

    We just can't wait until November for our pumpkin pie.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36