Hello, and greetings from the Critique Club. The critique you are about to recieve is tailored for DPC challenges alone, and is not intended to be seen as an artistic critique per se.
Initial Thoughts
The square crop is different, but overexposure is a problem.
Composition / Content
The square crop gives this portrait a unique kind of composition, reminiscent of various album covers I've seen in the past. However, it's also not particularily striking, and is also reminiscent of a mug-shot type of look. The model is also put just a little too low in the frame, and thus looks hunched.
Background
Interesting lighting in the background, probably one of the stronger points in this photo. I also like the matte grey coloring.
Camera Work / Technical
Your lighting here is far too hot, especially for a fair skinned red-head. The harsh lighting on the face has lightened one eye up, yet left the other eye really dark, giving an eerie and off-putting look. Focus also seems a little soft, and the harsh lighting only serves to enhance this. I'd suggest either putting some kind of diffuser on your light source in the future, or find softer lights. The softer focus look is probably due to your shutter speed being 1/5 second. You really want this to be 1/40 or more (1/125 or more if handheld). I had the kodak you own, and I can tell you that it's really not suited as a portrait camera (lacking a lot of manual control), especially in a studio setting. I would also suggest sticking to natural light portraits unless you have access to some really good lighting.
Digital Processing
I have no information on what you did or did not do, so cannot comment on this section.
Fits the Challenge
It fits the challenge, so no worries there.
My Opinion of the Photo
It's a step in the right direction. I like that you are experimenting and it's a great job on the background. A little more control on your lighting, and perhaps some practice with post-processing, and you could be pulling some really good portraits out of that camera. It's going to take some innovation, patience, practice, and experimentation. Good luck in future challenges.
seems a bit overexposed. and i'm not sure if the horizontal format works well. there is not much border space along the left side. usually the phtoographer has a model look off to a side and goes for a horizontal shot he/she leaves room along the side where the model is looking
Good focus on the hair, the main subject going by the title. Slightly more dof would have brought the beard, eyes and eyebrows into focus. You may have been aiming for this effect, though. If so, nice job.
I like profile portraits but they always seem more effective if the models eyes are not turned too far in the opposite direction. This has great lighting. very good exposure , just wish his eyes were more centered or looking toward me.
Looks as if there is a little bit of noise (either that or it is a bit oversharpened). I love the different shades of red from his hair to his beard. Background color compliments the hair color well. Best Wishes!
I am not too sure about the focus of this shot? If soft focus was what you were going for it is ok but I wish he had been looking at the camera and that his skin wasnt quite as blown out. Just my personal preference. Also maybe had his head tilted slightly to his right and if we could see a bit more shoulder and a hint of a smile LOL. There are tons of possibilities with poses for posed portraits. Good luck I hope this helps
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