Window light portrait

[Mischa Milosevic]

Mike, she is quite stunning!

Thank you for explaining the approach to the technical side of a good photo. I still need some lessons in how to operate my camera. I tried to take a accurate value and hue of a recent Bouguereau copy and still did not get it. True I did not have good lighting but I hope to change these issues soon.

As for the cheek it is catching light but it is a rim lit pose. I do not think it is to much. In the outside pose, excellent face shot, her face is facing the viewer more than in the inside pose. Slight difference but what a difference it makes. I would use the outside pose for the inside lighting, if that makes any sense. The outside face angle combined with the inside pose would make for an excellent portrait.

Now as for the background now that I had a chance to think and look more hmm? The drapery the gold frills I like even the angle but the straight dark spears at her head I do not like much. The window would go as well. To distracting, to bright just does not fit.

[Mike McCarty]

The outside face angle combined with the inside pose would make for an excellent portrait.

I can remember turning her face until I got the suggestion of light on the off side. Had I had my handy foam core reflector I could have easily bounced more light to the shadow side. Then I could have turned her head more as you suggest.

And, yes, the window is too big a bright hole. I also took this same pose with her sister (you heard me) and managed to reduce the bright window. I do like these nice architecturally detailed windows, but just the frames, not the bright light.

As is often the case, you take your first turn with the location, light, subject, clothing, and you gain a lot of knowledge. I think I could go back with my tripod and reflector and have this done before Mr. Ritz or Mr. Carlton knew what hit them.

Still, you could do a couple of head and shoulders from these - in a pinch.