Self Portrait

[blakemcguire]

Just picked up a Sigma 17-702.8-4 OS HSM today. Really is a phenomenal piece for the price point.

Now, crit my self portrait? I'm learning lighting.

[Donald]

Blake - Good to hear that you're liking the lens. Congratulations on getting it.

As to the portrait - I'm not the person to really provide C & C on portraits as it's not 'my thing', but one comment (or question, really). You've cropped it pretty tight. I wondered if the idea of having the top of your hair go out-of-frame works better than having it inside the frame?

To me it looks well lit with one side-on light source. I'm sure the portraitists can come in and make more informed comments about that.

[Andrew76]

I think it's a good self-portrait. Did you accomplish what you were shooting for (no pun) in your lighting experiment? I mean it looks good - pretty basic one light on camera left if I had to guess? Did you shoot through an umbrella, or something else to diffuse the light?

Looks like you've ended up with a decent shot.

PS - in your last post, you mentioned not having any models - try Kijiji, I actually got so many responses, I had to take the ad down, I didn't have time to handle everyone. Might be a good option for you.

[JPS]

Hi Blake,
I too think this is a good effort. Lighting is so time consuming to learn, keep at it; it’s well worth the effort.

I would prefer a tighter crop myself something like this.
What do you thing of the tighter crop?

[blakemcguire]

The tighter crop does look good. Let me guess, to get the eyes on that top third?

As for the models thing, I was just making a joke. I have two friends that want to do a shoot, one to model and the other as a MUA, which I'm seriously looking forward to.

[blakemcguire]

and it is indeed one light off to camera left, shoot through umbrella. I had no real goals for the experiment, I'm just playing around and seeing what I get right now, as lighting is so new to me.