Photo critique

Jan Keeling · 11-20-2006, 11:32 PM

I would appreciate any critiques on this photo for a 36 x 22" portrait.
Thank you!

Mischa Milosevic · 11-21-2006, 05:54 AM

Jan, I think you have something here. As is it can work fine.

Please accept my suggestions with a grain of salt. I personally would turn her head just a touch more towards the window to give the face a bit more light and less shadow. Also I would ask her for that far away, deep in thought look. Then again the executive look can work fine and better with more light. The right hand could be positioned nicely on her right leg and her left hand on her nice colorful shall. Or if it is a executive look a paper in the left hand.

Jan Keeling · 11-21-2006, 09:07 AM

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions, Mischa. I took a gazillion photographs. Here are a couple more.

Alexandra Tyng · 11-21-2006, 05:12 PM

Jan, I like the position on the left with the head on the right.

Michele Rushworth · 11-22-2006, 11:03 AM

Can you post the alternate photos at full size?

The first one seems a bit stiffly posed and I'm not sure what she's looking at just above our heads to the left. This gaze gives the subject an aloof distance from the viewer. Not sure if that's what you want.

Most portraits I see have a definite reason for the subject to be looking where they are: either at the viewer, or distinctly "off camera" in order to show a strong profile or thoughtful contemplative pose.

Jan Keeling · 11-22-2006, 02:00 PM

Done.

Michele Rushworth · 11-22-2006, 02:15 PM

Maybe the first pose but with the second face (though she's not quite looking at the viewer in that pose either.)

I once did a portrait session with a boy during which his dad was present (my mistake). In every shot the boy was looking at his dad, over my shoulder, and not at the camera. I couldn't use the vast majority of poses because of that.

Jan Keeling · 11-22-2006, 02:38 PM

Thanks, Michele. I didn't even think about the gaze in that first pose. Obviously.

Mischa Milosevic · 11-22-2006, 04:18 PM

I agree with Alex on this one (photo two with head from photo three). I would lower the chin if you choose photo three in the pose as Alex suggested, adjust the head, so she is not looking up, rather ahead, as if the window is directly in front.

Richard Monro · 11-22-2006, 07:05 PM

What does this lady want this portrait for? Is she an executive who will have it hang in the corporate office? If so have her look directly at the viewer which will emphasize her authority. For the family fireplace the direction of the gaze is less important.