Posted by jack chapman on February 11, 2009 at 3:00 PM
still doing these, this ones from earlier this evening, the composition doesn't really work for me so would appreciate any help as to how as to improve it, bear in mind in want a tight head shot,
40D + sigma 150mm macro + hot shoe cord + 580 ex + big white towel as reflector
F11
ISo 320
Full frame
Posted by jack chapman on February 11, 2009 at 3:03 PM
think this one might be better
Posted by Tom Smit on February 11, 2009 at 3:04 PM
I like the shot. May be you can use a little fill in flash from the left.
Posted by Magnus Hird on February 11, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Very nice as is Jack. I suppose really strong direct eye contact would make the portrait great, but tricky to get
Posted by John Robinson on February 11, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Hi JackTo be really honest can't see that much difference ! in the two.
I think its the way the light has caught the legs that makes it look a bit strange.Especially the one on the right.
Good stuff though - I know how bitchy they can be !!
Cheers
JohnR
What is it about the composition that doesn't work for you? I really like it. You could kick a bit more fill into the shadow but you might lose the tension that the sidelight creates. I feel that nocturnal portraits with direct flash can have a bit of a "deer in headlights" look about them. If this guy will put up with a big white towel then I guess you have the opportunity to keep trying different approaches until you get what you are looking for. You could try a slightly lower angle and, as has been mentioned getting him/her to look into the lens but then you risk more of a "stunned" look. As already mentioned the fox's right hind leg isn't helping.
Anyway, I like it as is.
Cheers
Terry
Posted by jack chapman on February 12, 2009 at 4:34 AM
thanks for the comments all
Hi Terry
If you are still there. Not really sure what it is about the composition that doesn't sit with me, think it might be the legs. As for this fox, it is almost entirely indifferent to my presence and will munch on the raisins i put out for it within a metre from me, it comes every night too so i have plenty of oppurtunities to reshoot. I think i might try a lower angle and move in closer to get just the head. Any suggestions would be great.
Cheers
Jack
Posted by Matt Cole on February 12, 2009 at 6:42 AM
looks good to me Jack. It takes a second or two to work out which leg is which (well it did for me anyway ) but a nice intimate portrait with atmospheric lighting.
The second by a whisker, more eye contact would be nice. I think I might also consider going even tighter, by cropping off most of the legs, as I find the rear leg a bit of a distraction.
Perhaps more side on with head turn ???
Still an excellent shot, well thought out and executed.
Posted by Major Gilbert on February 12, 2009 at 4:27 PM
To me you would have to go in really tight to obscure the legs completely or think it would have been better looking down more being as the Fox is looking up and showing all of the legs. A difficult one but what a lovely animal.
Major
Posted by Richard Peters on February 12, 2009 at 4:59 PM
I think fill light from the left would have helped with this one. The second does look better though being slightly brighter and with more saturation. Impressed you can get a frame filler with a 150mm though, your planning is obviously well thought out
Discussion
11 replies40D + sigma 150mm macro + hot shoe cord + 580 ex + big white towel as reflector
F11
ISo 320
Full frame
I think its the way the light has caught the legs that makes it look a bit strange.Especially the one on the right.
Good stuff though - I know how bitchy they can be !!
Cheers
JohnR
What is it about the composition that doesn't work for you? I really like it. You could kick a bit more fill into the shadow but you might lose the tension that the sidelight creates. I feel that nocturnal portraits with direct flash can have a bit of a "deer in headlights" look about them. If this guy will put up with a big white towel then I guess you have the opportunity to keep trying different approaches until you get what you are looking for. You could try a slightly lower angle and, as has been mentioned getting him/her to look into the lens but then you risk more of a "stunned" look. As already mentioned the fox's right hind leg isn't helping.
Anyway, I like it as is.
Cheers
Terry
Hi Terry
If you are still there. Not really sure what it is about the composition that doesn't sit with me, think it might be the legs. As for this fox, it is almost entirely indifferent to my presence and will munch on the raisins i put out for it within a metre from me, it comes every night too so i have plenty of oppurtunities to reshoot. I think i might try a lower angle and move in closer to get just the head. Any suggestions would be great.
Cheers
Jack
Matt
Perhaps more side on with head turn ???
Still an excellent shot, well thought out and executed.
Major