Hello Art, your portraits are looking very good!!! The only advice I can give you is to practise a lot with different lightnings and different poses. Making is portraits is a real challenge. The art is to capture the person just the way he or she is. Go on with your work.... you are doing well! greetings, Diana.

said dianawiersma1 2004.09.23 at 14:53:47 PDT

Hi Art! I do not have any experience with portraiture. The fact that people have to pose makes it hard I think to get relaxt or natural photos. I like the tomato eating kid best! So far my people shots are taken mostly unawares. However I did something which you might call portraiture maybe. Have a look at my alter ego on a kids summercamp: http://community.webshots.com/user/zomerkamp_2004_large. tell me what you think about that... Greetings Anna

said annaoldenhave 2004.09.09 at 04:15:54 PDT

Nicely done Art. I have some work I want to do also, looking for a model. I am also off to Vermont on Oct 9th for the Autumn colors again. Hoping to get some saleable stuff for stock use. Your portraits are very nice I long to be as good as you've done here. Nice work. Randy

said randyincv 2004.09.08 at 07:22:42 PDT

Hi Art - Isn't portraiture fun?! Generally I get the most satisfaction out of producing a good portrait. In my classes with the New York Institute of Photography I have learned that you want to always focus on the eyes. You don't want to have too much background. And, you want to capture as much of the individual's personality as possible. That's not to say you don't want any background. Sometimes it really contributes to the "story" . But, generally you don't want the background to become too distracting. Also, when you focus on the eyes you want to get "catch lights" - the sparkle in the eyes that's a result of studio lights, sunlight, and/or a strobe. So generally you want the subject of your photo to be looking at you. I really like "Fun Angie". You caught her personality, her happiness, and love of life in your photo. NYI teaches that for a success photo you always follow three rules: know your subject, focus on your subject, and simplify. However, photography is also about creativity and personal preference - I have seen award winning photos that seem to break all the rules. But, rules are only guidelines. Mostly I liked your photos. I think your beginning attempts are great. Connie from Ohio.

said camerabug1 2004.09.08 at 06:21:22 PDT

Nice portraits Art, IMHO After Glow is the best..I like the hair backlit like that..nice work. Marianne

said bowlingranny2 2004.09.08 at 04:04:33 PDT

Hi Art and Thanks for the invite..I always enjoy looking at your work..Portraiture is something I've just begun to explore myself..and I have to say its one of the harder things to learn and do..but it looks as though you're on the right path and doing nicely so far..wonderful subjects and great backgrounds...Arnie***

said amacko6748_ 2004.09.07 at 17:41:23 PDT

Great portraits although I would go easy on the dark vignettes. Light vignettes might give a more cheery result, or as an alternative, do a selection of the subject and use a gauzean blur on the background and then take down the background brightness, or desaturate the background partially and lessen the opacity. in any case always work on different layers so that you can experiment...Great shots, good luck...Lloyd

said fotoproze 2004.09.07 at 15:25:05 PDT

Hi Art, I must agree with most of the people in this guestbook, Great work. All the best, George in Shetland

said gpleask 2004.09.07 at 15:19:38 PDT

Hi, I loved the pictures. Great photography. Thanks for sharing with me. Dianna from Memphis

said diannataylorcrumpl... 2004.09.07 at 14:07:41 PDT

wonderful portraits, thanks for the invite! my favourites are those with a black bacground :-)) !!! Ciao, Clara

said clarita137 2004.09.07 at 09:03:29 PDT

Oh by the way... have you heard of PhotoSIG? It's a site to upload your pictures for critique. A great place to learn from other amateurs and professionals.

said dbattag 2004.09.07 at 08:25:48 PDT

These comments come from an amateur who also is learning and studying portraiture. As per your request for critique and comments the following are only my personal opinions. Overall... Great works and good use of PhotoShop. Solitude - Nice exposure. In my opinion the subject’s positioning looks awkward. She looks like she is trying not to slide down. I would like to suggest that the hand be placed on her lap, and repositioning of the right leg perhaps cross the left over the right to give a more relaxed position. Little tomato eater - Great exposure, overall great shot. Back to the sea – good exposure Eye to the sky – nice shot, nice highlight on the hair. Lost in the forest – Nice perspective and great composition. Tree hugger – Overall great exposure and use of light. Neck and hand a little rigid. Early teens - Nice exposure and very nice composition. After glow - Good use of available light. Great shot. Teen age boy – A little burned on the neck and perhaps a little more room to the right of the subject. Mizz Kim - Good exposure. Subject looks rigid in my opinion. Bergans black coffee – Great shot, very nice texture on the skin. Fun Angie – Nice shot. Subject looks relaxed. Perhaps shoot a little to the side rather than straight on full face. But, overall… a very nice portrait depicting character and warm mood. Jody – Very nice portrait. Excellent exposure. On the deck – Good exposure, nice contrast against the dramatic sky. Smoken at the club Smoken at the club - Black and white – Compared to the colour … this shot is GREAT in B&W and feels more like a portrait. Lisa – Good angle and exposure. Unknown – very nice perspective. Nice contrast and texture of the sweater but the face looks flat. By the lake – Good light and contrast. But the subject is too close to the edge and does not appear relaxed. Perhaps place her nearer and more to the front of the tree. Contrast in textures – Yes very nice textures and lighting. But I am not sure about the placement of the hand on the tree. Perhaps lowering the hand a little or even just leaning her against the tree with arms folded or hands relaxed at the side, or clasped over lap. Tammy with the angel Hat – Nice perspective and good exposure. Nice expression and show of character. KEEP ON SHOOTIN' CHEERS, Donna (DBattag)

said dbattag 2004.09.07 at 08:21:45 PDT

Awesome album Art!!!!You did a wonderful job on these photos..My favorite is "Little Tomato Eater" she is so cute and you captured her so well..:Lost in the forest,Mizz Kim,and Day Dreaming."I also love these keep up the good work my friend can't wait to see your next set...From Pickens,SC..Syble

said smorgano57 2004.09.07 at 08:20:58 PDT