Wanted to get this in the Contest Corner,

[maheanuu]

But was an hour late... So thought I would stick it here in critiques and have those of you who do Portraits tell me what I did both correctly and wrongly.
I shot this late this afternoon in the Oregon State Capitol Senate Hearing Room during a hearing on Social Security (Privatization Of). This is Senator Shields listening to testimony and I really liked the facial expression and his intentness. Details listed below Photo.



Date Taken: 2005-05-05 15:35:41
Date Digitized: 2005-05-05 15:35:41
Date Modified: 2005-05-06 00:52:13
Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D70
Size: 1796x1768
Bytes: 313558
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 150mm (225mm 35mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0166s (10/600)
JPEG Quality: normal
Exposure Bias: 0
DigitalZoomRatio: 1/1
SensingMethod: One-chip color sensor
ColorSpace: sRGB

[Matthewal]

you have captured nice facial expression here, face was a little dark and shirt a little bright in my opinion, it kind of unbalances the show because the shirts stands out where as the facial expression blends into the background of the shot

when framing a shot of a person or animal (anything with eyes) that are looking away from you i find i beneficial to leave space in the looking direction and none behind

[maheanuu]

Thank you Matthewal, for your comments.. This was my first try at a Portrait and as I said I have very much still to learn...

I appreciate your comments and reply

[Matthewal]

hey, no problem

nice for your first try!

[Lensdude]

This leans more towards a photojournalistic document then a portrait. You have overexposed the highlights and underexposed the shadows which is perfect for newspaper publication. I agree with Matthewl's suggestion of positioning the subject to balance the direction of the gaze.

[shiburavi]

I too agree with Matthewl's suggestion on the Positioning of subject. The shirt too has gone bright.

[yeovilfilmmakers165]

In video circles we call the space in front of a portrait, 'Spitting room'. As for the contrast problem, I'm sure we're allowed to change this for the better. On my first portrait session I was more nervous than my female subject and discovered this was the reason why I tended to hide behind a camera. That was 30 years ago and boy have I changed a lot since. My tip is to take 20 - 100 shots and throw out anything you wouldn't buy off ebay for £1 English money. Keep pressing that button mate - all the best Keith.