happy) with your end results. This is
definitely an important step towards
taking better pictures.
We feel your strongest image in this
selection is the portrait with the ferns [3].
The subtlety and softness of the lighting
really complement the model’s expression.
The lightest parts of the image are the
model’s face and hands, which provide
focus for the viewer. And you’re sticking
to the rule of thirds, with the fern, face and
hands all in different sections of the photo,
allowing the eye to flow naturally through it.
The head-and-shoulders portrait with
the orange back ground [2] is also nice and
follows this composition almost identically,
but the back light (if a flash) seems to be
gelled orange and the key light (on the
model’s face) seems to be bare. It would be
nice to see this shot with a different coloured
filter on the key light (maybe blue) to
juxtapose the warmth
in the background.
In your outdoors
shot [1] the fog
definitely adds to the
mood and again
complements the
expression of the
model (you seem to have this nailed!), but
we wonder whether it might ‘ feel’ nicer on
the eye if the composition were to be
tweaked just a little. If you’d used the power
line cables to draw lines in towards the
model more clearly, and the model was
placed on the left third of the frame, the
viewer’s eye would ‘enter’ from the right
and end up at the model. Currently we find
ourselves following the cables in, coming
to the model slightly below them, and then
drfiting around the open space on the left,
before moving on to another photo. Also,
it might be interesting to see some (subtle)
flash lighting up the model, to brighten up
her features and draw the focus back to her,
but we appreciate that this might affect the
moody feel – which is a key ingredient of all
your images. Keep up the good work!(^3)
Fern
Nikon D810, Nikon
AF-S 85mm f/1.4G,
1/100 sec, f/1.4,
ISO100
OVER TO YOU PORTFOLIO REVIEW
NEXT MONTH: AWE-INSPIRING LANDSCAPES FROM THE ISLE OF SKYE
TECHNIQUE TIPS
LUCA SIMONETTI
The N-Photo
experts say...
WHAT OUR PANEL
THINKS WORKS
WELL, AND WHAT
NEEDS SOME
ADJUSTING
THE EYES HAVE IT
Focus on models should
always fall to the eyes first
(unless it’s a sales shot for
a product, for example).
You demonstrate good
ability to focus precisely
on the eyes and still come
away with beautifully soft
backgrounds.
LEAD THE WAY
Structure within a photo is
just as important as the
mood created, or the
technical skill displayed.
Pay as much attention to
the background as the
foreground, and keep an
eye out for leading lines,
even with portraits.
COLOUR TEST
Don’t be afraid to
experiment with colour.
It doesn’t have to look
natural as your style is
arty anyway. You could
juxtapose complementary
colours, say, or introduce
a splash of colour in an
otherwise moody image.
BRIGHT IDEA
A shot like the first one
could benefit from a little
light, just to bring out the
model’s features a touch.
Off-camera flash would
give you complete control.
For a more natural feel with
tighter shots, you could
also use a reflector.
3
82 March 2016 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com