Portraits (C&C)

DadaKopf

DadaKopf

I usually don't take very many portraits, or shots of people. Occasionally, I do, and I thought I'd share the portraits I've taken that I'm not too disappointed with. Portraiture seems to be a personality thing - usually I feel uncomfortable taking them, or I don't make the sitter comfortable. Looking at these helps me remember that the key is losing yourself in the moment.

Fajitas!

Wow. I really like those. Definitly the best work you've posted here so far.

That first one is bloody amazing.

I think you found your thing really.

City-Exile

I can't agree with Fajitas.
Every picture has something which distracts from the subject.
I think you should try to isolate the subject a bit more.

Fajitas!

I think it's the distractions that make the subject work - They're all environmental photographs, and don't think they'd work half as well without the environment showing.

ThOnda

One more positive view.
I really like them. The environment and backgrounds really work, because they are in colour tonality of the whole picture. And all figures help to move "face" from centre to make those pictures more visible.
That unfamiliar and "anti-rule" composition makes it interesting.

IMHO, very very good work.

bradnailer

You should send that first shot to the National Water Safety Authority
Beer and swimming what a good idea:D;)

City-Exile

From the second shot, it looks like they were mixing beer with hairdressing too!

elven

There's something really beautiful about the colours and tones in all your stuff. I saw the first lot on flickr before but the last two are new to me - and they are gorgeous. I think it's the environmental thing, and clever use of depth of field - you haven't completely obliterated the background and it really gives them a grounding. I could see these along with a travel article.

You need to get out there and shoot more of this!!!

challengemaster

I'm kinda noticing a pixelated sky on #1&2.. only thing that seems off/annoying to me about them. nice shots

Carrigman

Excellent work.

Borderfox

Great work, portraits doesnt have to be taken literally and this is a superb example.

kensutz

Nice pics, I particularly like 1 & 2.

magicbastarder

i'm pretty sure i know the guy in the first shot from a previous life; does he live in berlin?

AnCatDubh

no 1 - the lines of the image are all over the shop - horizon, lines of river, lines of boat, lines of greenery in distance, and a person drop'd into the middle of them. i can't believe it works so well! good stuff. maybe clone out the handle to the left of the subject.

no 3 is exceptionally busy but i like! not sure why but there is something appealing about it.

no 5 i think is good too - although maybe a little sharpening would be in order on the subject.

lovely subject in number 2 - appealing expression but for me, mohawk guy eh.... gets in the way. maybe it just my brain that needs to go beyond such rules.

number 4 is just plain for me. the subject to me is spoiled by the geezer behind. I'm sorry but not much in it for me.

i think you certainly are moving in the right direction with your portrait work. no 1 is a killer image - it actually made me forget how uninteresting/bleached the sky is appearing.

hope this helps. cheers.

magicbastarder

btw, boozing while swimming?

DadaKopf

Thanks for the comments, folks. Didn't really expect all those positive responses!

You've given me a lot to think about.