Watermill - portrait - E-M5 + 75mm

Jim Salvas wrote:

The 75 is w great lens for portraits and viewing this at 100% shows how sharp it can be. However, there are just too many things wrong to make this a good portrait.

First, the watermill, which occupies about 75% of the frame, is out of focus. If it's important enough to be such a major feature, it should be in focus. Truth is, the actual subject is the man, but is relegated to the corner and his face, which is the most important area, is tiny in comparison to the whole.

Second, he is looking away from both the watermill and the viewer. It is difficult to shoot a good portrait of someone not looking at the camera, because it can look so staged. This just looks stiff, when such an angle should look candid and casual. To top it off, he seems to be uncomfortably squinting in the harsh light.

A much tighter shot, with the subject directly engaging the viewer would be much better. Think of the eyes first, because that's what people will see first.

I hope this helps a little.

Honestly, take advice from someone who tells you "there are just too many things wrong to make this a good portrait" with a grain of salt.

If everyone thought like him, photos in this world would be very boring to look at. Photography is an art and if you are happy with your end result, that is all the matters (unless you are professionally doing a shoot). I personally like the photo and I don't see anything "wrong" with it.

That being said, there are lots of things you could have done to make the portrait look different and interesting in other ways. Just realize that that each person has their own preferences.

Well I am not wild about this shot. My question would be why did you take it? What is the relationship between the guy and the water wheel?

Assuming there is none you are sort of left with a photo of two competing objects or essentially you have a bad portrait of a guy (I mean one arm is missing) and a bad picture of a water wheel (well it aint even in focus).

Of course if you like it that is all that really matters. And it is quite possible that I am missing a link between the circularity of the water wheel and the dismembered portrait.

dustpuppy wrote:

Like the overall concept and would modify a few elements to suit my eye (YMMV).

His face is exposed a bit hot and he seems to be squinting, perhaps looking at a brightly lit area. If that was the case, I'd have had him look in another direction or keep his eyes closed unitl the shot.

I'd open the lens to blur the waterwheel more. He'd pop more against a pretty busy background while I suspect it would still be identifiable. This is, of course, a 75 strong suit.

Would change his shirt color so something not earth-tonish, maybe a soft blue or green.

Would have him move to his right to not chop off his arm at the shoulder. better to not do this at a joint.

In sum, as a vacation snapshot it's just fine but as a formal portrait or fashion shot, it calls out for more control of several elements.

Cheers,

Rick

dustpuppy wrote:

I would go back and do that again,

To my eyes

neither the waterwheel or the portrait are sufficiently good.

He looks like a guy who needs a burst of frames to pick one with a better expression, and the exposure on his skin is too bright and vague.

His right arm is in an awkward position, did you crop? Is he holding something?