DSLR Photography Forum

This is one of my friends posing for a shot. He is the guitar-player in the band "Kvelartak". My english/norwegian dictionary didn't have a name for that in english, but it means what you do when you strangle someone... But don't worry, like most real rockers he is actually as kind as a lamb!

I'm trying to get better at portraits, so would kindly appreciate some critique on this one. Suggestions to improvements?

I really like the background a lot, and the lighting works very well. His expression seems a bit forced, but for a heavy band, that is totally OK.

The only crtiicism I would have of this is the height of the camera. I like portraits taken at eye level - or for effect - dramatically lower or higher. The flaw with shooting a waist level at a distance is that it can make the subject look fatter than he really is because of the subtle distortion away from the focal plane - both up and down.

Its still a great shot - and I am sure he will be happy with it.

Great location for such a shot and the lighting looks good. I agree with Toad that a different expression may work better. Love the t-shirt (SLAYER!!!)

As other have pointed out, the facial expression does look a litte forced.

What did you want to convey with the portrait ? The light is nice and the location seems appropriate for the character.

If you dont have a clear picture in you head of what you want, then just go ahead and try alot of diffrent poses.

One i would try is him standing almost completely turned away from you, with the guitar on his back. with the head turned towards you, (looking back at you) shortlightning on his face, with a dramatic/serious facial expression.

Or him sitting in a kneeling position playing his guitar, spot from above, him leaning backwards almost lying down. playing like mad.

/Paul L.

I like this portrait, but like Paul says, I think it needs a bit more dramatic lighting/posing for it to jump out and 'grab' me. Maybe climbing the ladder, with the guitart slung on his back

Location is great, lighting is good, the expression just doesn't seem to work.

Thanks for the response! I am totally aware of that his expression looks a bit odd, like he is going to shit himself or something... When you're in a heavy band it's important to look angry, but he wasn't to good at that... I'll ask him to practice in front of a mirror before we do the next shoot!

Toad: I can agree about the height of the camera, but under the circumstanses it was hard to find an other angle. This shot is done with a 24mm on FF, and the room was very small. The walls just outside of what you see here didn't fit as a background, so there really wasn't many other angles I could shoot... :/

Smarti77: Yes, Slayer. Well spotted!

Paul & Shellamo: I'll keep your posing-ideas in the back of my head the next time! Thanks!