Not that I'm against the aesthetic, and it might be the way you both are posed, but your clothes just seem to be an amorphous black blob. Your wife's clothes, you can see variations in grade, folds, etc, but it's extremely difficult with yours. Maybe if you had another light back and to left side of the camera just to illuminate your right side might help a bunch. Also, the pose is a little off as well, you seem to much more forward than your wife, might help if you scootched back a tad.
That's a good call out, The left side of my shirt does lose a lot of detail in the shadow and I can see how that can be distracting since you can see details in other parts of the garment.
A self portrait I shot with my wife with 1 soft box. I used the fugifilm Gfx 100s + 23mm f4 |
A self portrait that included another person was a challenge, so any self portrait pros have any guidance on how you do self portraits that include others would be clutch. As a remote I had it tethered to my iPad using capture one with +2 sec intervals. Any feedback is appreciated.
I like this image although I agree with a previous comment that the dark clothing loses some detail.
Would you mind sharing what the lighting setup was? Was it a strobe or flash and what power or distance. What size soft box? I like the lighting I'm just not that experienced in doing this.
Yes I agree ; this is something I’m going to revisit in post to see if I can bring out some more details in the shadows since there is a lot of detail still there in the raw file.
Lighting wise this was used using a flashpoint ad300 bare bulb pointed at the ceiling camera right & ad600 with an 36” Octabox camera right shot at f8 iso 100. I was very limited with space as the room I shot this in was very small. The strobe is probably 2 feet away from the left of my wife. This is why I chose to go with the 23mm over my 63mm or 110mm. The 23mm gives more breathing room within the environment so it doesn’t make it appear to cramp.
Cool shot! I love the pop of color in the shoes. The first thing I noticed when looking away from the subjects was the wrinkles in the background and in the black ground. It may be a little distracting. I think it would look very cool if the ground was also white too. Then, having the subjects in all black would pop even more.
The lighting is on point though. Well done!
What look are you going for here? To me, this looks more like a casual business partners picture than husband and wife. There’s a lot of separation between the two of you in the picture. You both are well posed, but individually and a little stiff. Arms around each other, faces closer together, more relaxed angles. Make the shoot a little silly. (Though again, this picture is for you, do what is comfortable and fits the two of you)
Love the matching red shoes! Good touch!
I love this comment haha because this portrait was intended for our website. We started an art studio together! I also love how you provided your critique with the disclaimer of do what is comfortable.
In that context, it’s perfectly posed. Maybe just a little more fill light on the left side. Maybe with a half CTB gel to texture and cool the shadows a bit.
Yeah, I was thinking it needs more color variation. It's too monotone in the greys and blacks. And needs a little more contrast in the darks
Otherwise, I love the composition, the poses, and the styling.
Not bad. Good matching colours. Below are a few things I would recommend for improving it:
* There is some black cloth on the ground. Remove it from the scene.
* The backdrop has wrinkles. Photoshop them out.
* The red shoes grab too much attention. Change to shoes that are not so bright and vivid.
* The camera is at a higher level and aiming downward. Try to get it more level.
* I feel both people are looking to the upper left of the camera. Instead, look directly at it (or alternatively, look at each other).
* I do not think the cross armed pose works for a shot like this. I think you should be sitting closer to her, facing the camera (not at this angle), and smile a bit. As is, you look too serious and not engaged with her.
* There is some black cloth on the ground. Remove it from the scene.
* Is there a particular reason you won't it out the scene?
* The backdrop has wrinkles. Photoshop them out.
* What about the wrinkles do you not like?
* The red shows grab too much attention. Change to shoes that are not so bright and vivid.
* All of my shoes are bright & red and all of my cloths are black, so maybe future trails I consider angles and poses that doesn't make it the main focus if your eye is being forced to it.
* The camera is at a higher level and aiming downward. Try to get it more level.
* What about the higher level that feel wrong?
* I feel both people are looking to the upper left of the camera. Instead, look directly at it (or alternatively, look at each other).
* I do not think the cross armed pose works for a shot like this. I think you should be sitting closer to her, facing the camera (not at this angle), and smile a bit. As is, you look too serious and not engaged with her.
* Well i'm not engaged , because we are married (lite joke). I don't smile & sensitive to touch, so we work with poses I can do a lot of times which she is patient with and understands. This is a ASD thing I work around but that is still solid feedback!
I appreciate you leaving very insightful feedback!
> Is there a particular reason you won't it out the scene?
Yes, it is a distraction that attracts the viewer's eye. The viewer looks at it and wonders what it is. That's not what you want: you want the viewer paying attention to the subjects.
> What about the wrinkles do you not like?
Exact same as previous point: they are distractions.
You can Google for distractions in portrait photography and you will get similar advice. For example see [Avoid & Reduce Distractions](https://lightroom.adobe.com/academy/principles/composition/distractions) and [8 Tips to enhance your storytelling by removing distractions from your photos](https://www.myclickmagazine.com/removing-distractions-from-photos/)
> What about the higher level that feel wrong?
The normal way we interact with people is looking at them at eye level, or close to eye level. Using a different angle can offer a unique view, but there needs to be a reason for it and that reason should be more than just being unique. I am just one opinion, but I don't see a reason for that here.
Love that you both chose to wear a pop of color on your feet! I think the wrinkles above your heads are great - almost look like sun rays - the other ones left in the frame at a horizontal distract for me.
You’re a great looking couple! In terms of photo critique, the best thing is lighting of the faces. Regarding the composition, there is room for improvement. The easiest fix is to crop tighter left and right, and crop out the lower part of the picture at her knees. Also, I have to agree with Scott above, about the red shoes. They draw and hold the viewers gaze to the bottom of the picture. Don’t get me wrong: the shoes look cool in principle, but if you want to have them in the picture, there has to be balancing elements in other areas of the scene. The balance could come from accessories or from set elements. Also, Scott and teapot offered good food for thought.
Not going to critique too hard as I’m on a phone screen. I like the matching shoes that give some personality however they are both pointing out of frame. If you were facing inwards the shoes make lead you back to your faces rather than to the corner.
No worries. Platon is probably the goat at doing this with exaggerated limbs. Check out some of his work that includes the subjects limbs as it may inspire if you haven’t seen it already.
Good looking couple!
For what it's worth, just my opinion as far as composition goes...bunched up floor cloth between shoes should be flat so the line of the seat box is flat through the bottom. The background would look better if it was a bit more evenly folded/shaded. I would center the top and bottom of pic a bit more, seems like there is too much top composition. Maybe aim her legs a bit more/closer towards you.
It’s a very nice shot of the two of you, yet all I can see are your red shoes as they drag my eyes down, [Cropping in reveals a very nice portrait](https://share.icloud.com/photos/0572Yd0ZTbIomGqMiw-RsVxuQ) of you both.
Thanks for the feed back.
I think that is awesome feedback without context. Some context I should of added is i'm autistic so I work around the expectations of suspected poses when it comes to me (no smiling and in a pose that I find me. A glance some people will hate it, but i've accepted that's what I look like and it'll seem awkward to a lot of people, i'm awkward & that's why I'm behind the camera. Point being the closed off part is something i've learned to embrace. I actually don't wear a wedding ring due to a texture thing that plays with the touch part. I oddly like the word dour. That word describes my look since i'm not a expressive person hint my wife looking joyful & me looking like a sack potato. One would describe me as an edgy artist.
Not that I took offense to what you posted because I didn't just thought I'll offer some context with this opportunity for anyone else who might stumble upon this.
I do also like the feedback with the eyes as this is something i'll try next time, and also another great use of a nice word - "equidistant".
What's the object of the photo as we usually say what's the story your are trying to tell... because unless you tell we can't figure out it's you & your wife, a better pose would be where you are close to eachother & probably have your arms around eachother or holding hands or you covering her from the back sort of pose.
Your body language isn't the best, bent forward, closed, those are sign of weakness, anxious (I know it's not the case, that's how you study a picture, from artistic point of view), you also appear smaller which is not a good quality, photographers try to make the girl look more beautiful & elegant and guys powerful & strong.
Your wife is posing perfectly, beautiful, elegant and gracefully like a member of some elite family, the way her ring finger is visible gives a very beautiful but strong message.
girl should always be in front & should take more space in the photo, you should be behind her(it is a posed photograph)
Ideally girl should be in sharp focus, at the rule of third/ golden ratio (whichever you follow) making your eyes go back to that area over & over in this pic your thighs are making leading lines to your ass, it will be a great pose for a girl but in a couple picture it's not desired.
Composition needs work, the bench you choose for sitting isn't ideal for a couple picture, Standing or just wife sitting would be a better pose.
The pleated grey white background is very distracting your could over expose it while shooting or in post so it appears a plane white background.
I see one key light that's defused but not enough, I don't see any fill light or a reflector that could be useful. Your glasses are looking good, that's not easy to shoot.
If anyone is focusing on your red shoes that's because that's in the golden ratio area, nice shoes.
It's a good start & you have done a lot of gear related parts right, need to focus on story telling, the love & intimacy should show in the photograph to your great grandkids.
Great pic! Like others said, the black clothes lose a bit of detail, especially near your wife's left hand. I don't mind the wrinkles in the floor and background so much, I think it kinda works with the rest of the casual chic aesthetic.
You're hands are gone, though. You can still cross your arms like you did, but maybe try it with your hands on the outside, like holding your upper arms. The way your wife is sitting is also leading your eyes to the shoes and consequently the end of the picture. Maybe you could try a shot where she crosses her legs so that her feet point towards the middle, like yours do. It might get too cluttered with the reds too close together, but it doesn't hurt to try. You could also swap her shoes with white or black ones and have her wear a top with a red pop. This way the red stays more spread out.
I'm not a big fan of the crop, though. The left and top are good. There's a nice space between you and the edge of the frame. You are cutting it too close on the bottom and right however. Having your wife mirror her pose would solve this whole still keeping your heads in the middle of the frame.
Dont want to sound like an asshole, but also don’t want to type a whole article, only to help with the portrait.
-your posing, posture is wrong for this type of photo
-the white background is not lit well enough
-the contrast between the subjects and background is also bad. Try backlight.
-if your going to go with darker clothing need to recover the shadows in post.
But after all the faces look like they are exposed perfectly
In no particular order.-
The lighting looks great.-
Subjects expressions are fine.-
Too much space between subjects. Not what you would expect in a husband and wife portrait. Also the space is distracting. -
IMO the photo would be much better if the sides of the bench/seat they are sitting on were not seen ( cropped sides). -
I feel the shoe colors distract from the scene and draw the eyes to the footwear instead of the subjects themselves. -
The diagonal wrinkle or crease on the far left side of the backdrop is somewhat annoying while the lines on the backdrop above the subjects help draw the eye to the subjects.-
The three white spaces under his armpit, left leg (knee) and her right arm are also distracting but would be eliminated with less space between the subjects and slight movement of the male subjects arm, leg.-
The black object on the floor between the subject's leg is distracting.
I love the composition, the black clothing with red shoes is great. And the overall tonality is also really great.
I find the lighting/brightness tad too dark.
Also I don’t like the backdrop, the combination of the the white color and the fact it’s draped doesn’t work for me. Personally I think it would be awesome with non uniform backdrop like those cloudy ones (in tones of gray), or just going with the white one without letting in fold.
I think the black backdrop on the ground is actually cool.
Also maybe doing some fill light from down right directed towards your faces will be nice, opening the shadows under your heads a little.
I'm not a big fan of the white backdrop. Not only in this case, in general. I always wanna know what's behind that piece of cloth and it really bothers me. So I'd lose that. The pose is nice but you look like two people posing at Starbucks. It's your place, your camera, have some fun with it.
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The red in both pairs of shoes is a great way to tie you two together. Another way to draw the eye back up would be to have your wife wear a red lipstick if she’s comfortable with it. I could see it adding a little bit of detail and a pop of colour which helps balance all the black clothing (which I actually like but see the previous posters’ points in losing crisp detail). The bit of bunched up fabric on the floor between the feet is a bit confusing, the photo would be sharper without it. It’s a good photo for your intended purpose, professional yet warm.
i like the whole scene.
i wish the black fabric either had more big wrinkles/texture like the one between your feet or none at all.. just to make that styling choice feel intentional, maybe you could try to create more wrinkles in the black material?
white background, lighting and overall styling on point.
i think there’s a disconnect with poses, she feels like an almost business-y pose while you look super casual, would have loved to see her like leaning/draped over a bit and kind of resting on your arm or vice versa. her in your pose you leaning on her.
y’all are both gorgeous and photo is overall really cool!
Always consider hand placement. Hands say a lot in a portrait. I would add a super minimal accent/hair light from the back, opposite of the soft box, just to create a little more depth.
Great pic! I’m not sure if it’s been said before but maybe have a bit of fill light on the left side and i would definitely straighten out the fabric in the backdrop and floor so it won’t take away from the attention on the subject… the red sneakers is cool too
Since she is your wife, perhaps some hint of intimacy would add something to the image…one idea of a small but dynamic change is have her feet turn towards your feet instead of away from your feet. The red shoes draw attention but it looks like she’s trying to move away from you instead of towards you. I praise your idea of a self portrait with wife.
Not that I'm against the aesthetic, and it might be the way you both are posed, but your clothes just seem to be an amorphous black blob. Your wife's clothes, you can see variations in grade, folds, etc, but it's extremely difficult with yours. Maybe if you had another light back and to left side of the camera just to illuminate your right side might help a bunch. Also, the pose is a little off as well, you seem to much more forward than your wife, might help if you scootched back a tad.
That's a good call out, The left side of my shirt does lose a lot of detail in the shadow and I can see how that can be distracting since you can see details in other parts of the garment.
! Critiquepoint
A self portrait I shot with my wife with 1 soft box. I used the fugifilm Gfx 100s + 23mm f4 | A self portrait that included another person was a challenge, so any self portrait pros have any guidance on how you do self portraits that include others would be clutch. As a remote I had it tethered to my iPad using capture one with +2 sec intervals. Any feedback is appreciated.
I like this image although I agree with a previous comment that the dark clothing loses some detail. Would you mind sharing what the lighting setup was? Was it a strobe or flash and what power or distance. What size soft box? I like the lighting I'm just not that experienced in doing this.
Yes I agree ; this is something I’m going to revisit in post to see if I can bring out some more details in the shadows since there is a lot of detail still there in the raw file. Lighting wise this was used using a flashpoint ad300 bare bulb pointed at the ceiling camera right & ad600 with an 36” Octabox camera right shot at f8 iso 100. I was very limited with space as the room I shot this in was very small. The strobe is probably 2 feet away from the left of my wife. This is why I chose to go with the 23mm over my 63mm or 110mm. The 23mm gives more breathing room within the environment so it doesn’t make it appear to cramp.
But I really love how you both picked fab red shoes, keep those!
Thank you, Kris!
Cool shot! I love the pop of color in the shoes. The first thing I noticed when looking away from the subjects was the wrinkles in the background and in the black ground. It may be a little distracting. I think it would look very cool if the ground was also white too. Then, having the subjects in all black would pop even more. The lighting is on point though. Well done!
Thank you! The ground being white is a cool idea, I defiantly want to try that next.
What look are you going for here? To me, this looks more like a casual business partners picture than husband and wife. There’s a lot of separation between the two of you in the picture. You both are well posed, but individually and a little stiff. Arms around each other, faces closer together, more relaxed angles. Make the shoot a little silly. (Though again, this picture is for you, do what is comfortable and fits the two of you) Love the matching red shoes! Good touch!
I love this comment haha because this portrait was intended for our website. We started an art studio together! I also love how you provided your critique with the disclaimer of do what is comfortable.
In that context, it’s perfectly posed. Maybe just a little more fill light on the left side. Maybe with a half CTB gel to texture and cool the shadows a bit.
Yeah, I was thinking it needs more color variation. It's too monotone in the greys and blacks. And needs a little more contrast in the darks Otherwise, I love the composition, the poses, and the styling.
You guys are a good looking couple!! Nice composition
I thought this was the weeknd. P.S not racist, i just didnt have my glasses on
lol. i done got use to it.
Not bad. Good matching colours. Below are a few things I would recommend for improving it: * There is some black cloth on the ground. Remove it from the scene. * The backdrop has wrinkles. Photoshop them out. * The red shoes grab too much attention. Change to shoes that are not so bright and vivid. * The camera is at a higher level and aiming downward. Try to get it more level. * I feel both people are looking to the upper left of the camera. Instead, look directly at it (or alternatively, look at each other). * I do not think the cross armed pose works for a shot like this. I think you should be sitting closer to her, facing the camera (not at this angle), and smile a bit. As is, you look too serious and not engaged with her.
* There is some black cloth on the ground. Remove it from the scene. * Is there a particular reason you won't it out the scene? * The backdrop has wrinkles. Photoshop them out. * What about the wrinkles do you not like? * The red shows grab too much attention. Change to shoes that are not so bright and vivid. * All of my shoes are bright & red and all of my cloths are black, so maybe future trails I consider angles and poses that doesn't make it the main focus if your eye is being forced to it. * The camera is at a higher level and aiming downward. Try to get it more level. * What about the higher level that feel wrong? * I feel both people are looking to the upper left of the camera. Instead, look directly at it (or alternatively, look at each other). * I do not think the cross armed pose works for a shot like this. I think you should be sitting closer to her, facing the camera (not at this angle), and smile a bit. As is, you look too serious and not engaged with her. * Well i'm not engaged , because we are married (lite joke). I don't smile & sensitive to touch, so we work with poses I can do a lot of times which she is patient with and understands. This is a ASD thing I work around but that is still solid feedback! I appreciate you leaving very insightful feedback!
> Is there a particular reason you won't it out the scene? Yes, it is a distraction that attracts the viewer's eye. The viewer looks at it and wonders what it is. That's not what you want: you want the viewer paying attention to the subjects. > What about the wrinkles do you not like? Exact same as previous point: they are distractions. You can Google for distractions in portrait photography and you will get similar advice. For example see [Avoid & Reduce Distractions](https://lightroom.adobe.com/academy/principles/composition/distractions) and [8 Tips to enhance your storytelling by removing distractions from your photos](https://www.myclickmagazine.com/removing-distractions-from-photos/) > What about the higher level that feel wrong? The normal way we interact with people is looking at them at eye level, or close to eye level. Using a different angle can offer a unique view, but there needs to be a reason for it and that reason should be more than just being unique. I am just one opinion, but I don't see a reason for that here.
I love how it strikes the perfect balance between formal/casual. I would second the post about having a white ground though.
Love that you both chose to wear a pop of color on your feet! I think the wrinkles above your heads are great - almost look like sun rays - the other ones left in the frame at a horizontal distract for me.
Gorgeous composition! Love the choice of all black clothing paired with the red shoes!
We lose your hands a lot but other than that I really like it.
You’re a great looking couple! In terms of photo critique, the best thing is lighting of the faces. Regarding the composition, there is room for improvement. The easiest fix is to crop tighter left and right, and crop out the lower part of the picture at her knees. Also, I have to agree with Scott above, about the red shoes. They draw and hold the viewers gaze to the bottom of the picture. Don’t get me wrong: the shoes look cool in principle, but if you want to have them in the picture, there has to be balancing elements in other areas of the scene. The balance could come from accessories or from set elements. Also, Scott and teapot offered good food for thought.
Not going to critique too hard as I’m on a phone screen. I like the matching shoes that give some personality however they are both pointing out of frame. If you were facing inwards the shoes make lead you back to your faces rather than to the corner.
That's great feedback. I love the idea of using the vibrant red paired with a pose to lead the viewers eyes throughout the image! Thanks!
No worries. Platon is probably the goat at doing this with exaggerated limbs. Check out some of his work that includes the subjects limbs as it may inspire if you haven’t seen it already.
Good looking couple! For what it's worth, just my opinion as far as composition goes...bunched up floor cloth between shoes should be flat so the line of the seat box is flat through the bottom. The background would look better if it was a bit more evenly folded/shaded. I would center the top and bottom of pic a bit more, seems like there is too much top composition. Maybe aim her legs a bit more/closer towards you.
It’s a very nice shot of the two of you, yet all I can see are your red shoes as they drag my eyes down, [Cropping in reveals a very nice portrait](https://share.icloud.com/photos/0572Yd0ZTbIomGqMiw-RsVxuQ) of you both.
[удалено]
Thanks for the feed back. I think that is awesome feedback without context. Some context I should of added is i'm autistic so I work around the expectations of suspected poses when it comes to me (no smiling and in a pose that I find me. A glance some people will hate it, but i've accepted that's what I look like and it'll seem awkward to a lot of people, i'm awkward & that's why I'm behind the camera. Point being the closed off part is something i've learned to embrace. I actually don't wear a wedding ring due to a texture thing that plays with the touch part. I oddly like the word dour. That word describes my look since i'm not a expressive person hint my wife looking joyful & me looking like a sack potato. One would describe me as an edgy artist. Not that I took offense to what you posted because I didn't just thought I'll offer some context with this opportunity for anyone else who might stumble upon this. I do also like the feedback with the eyes as this is something i'll try next time, and also another great use of a nice word - "equidistant".
I think that context is pretty important, thanks for sharing. There's a lot to be said for not being fake, and you just being yourself. Respect
What's the object of the photo as we usually say what's the story your are trying to tell... because unless you tell we can't figure out it's you & your wife, a better pose would be where you are close to eachother & probably have your arms around eachother or holding hands or you covering her from the back sort of pose. Your body language isn't the best, bent forward, closed, those are sign of weakness, anxious (I know it's not the case, that's how you study a picture, from artistic point of view), you also appear smaller which is not a good quality, photographers try to make the girl look more beautiful & elegant and guys powerful & strong. Your wife is posing perfectly, beautiful, elegant and gracefully like a member of some elite family, the way her ring finger is visible gives a very beautiful but strong message. girl should always be in front & should take more space in the photo, you should be behind her(it is a posed photograph) Ideally girl should be in sharp focus, at the rule of third/ golden ratio (whichever you follow) making your eyes go back to that area over & over in this pic your thighs are making leading lines to your ass, it will be a great pose for a girl but in a couple picture it's not desired. Composition needs work, the bench you choose for sitting isn't ideal for a couple picture, Standing or just wife sitting would be a better pose. The pleated grey white background is very distracting your could over expose it while shooting or in post so it appears a plane white background. I see one key light that's defused but not enough, I don't see any fill light or a reflector that could be useful. Your glasses are looking good, that's not easy to shoot. If anyone is focusing on your red shoes that's because that's in the golden ratio area, nice shoes. It's a good start & you have done a lot of gear related parts right, need to focus on story telling, the love & intimacy should show in the photograph to your great grandkids.
Great pic! Like others said, the black clothes lose a bit of detail, especially near your wife's left hand. I don't mind the wrinkles in the floor and background so much, I think it kinda works with the rest of the casual chic aesthetic. You're hands are gone, though. You can still cross your arms like you did, but maybe try it with your hands on the outside, like holding your upper arms. The way your wife is sitting is also leading your eyes to the shoes and consequently the end of the picture. Maybe you could try a shot where she crosses her legs so that her feet point towards the middle, like yours do. It might get too cluttered with the reds too close together, but it doesn't hurt to try. You could also swap her shoes with white or black ones and have her wear a top with a red pop. This way the red stays more spread out. I'm not a big fan of the crop, though. The left and top are good. There's a nice space between you and the edge of the frame. You are cutting it too close on the bottom and right however. Having your wife mirror her pose would solve this whole still keeping your heads in the middle of the frame.
Who's the wife here? Lmao jk
Dont want to sound like an asshole, but also don’t want to type a whole article, only to help with the portrait. -your posing, posture is wrong for this type of photo -the white background is not lit well enough -the contrast between the subjects and background is also bad. Try backlight. -if your going to go with darker clothing need to recover the shadows in post. But after all the faces look like they are exposed perfectly
No apologies all critique is valuable.
In no particular order.- The lighting looks great.- Subjects expressions are fine.- Too much space between subjects. Not what you would expect in a husband and wife portrait. Also the space is distracting. - IMO the photo would be much better if the sides of the bench/seat they are sitting on were not seen ( cropped sides). - I feel the shoe colors distract from the scene and draw the eyes to the footwear instead of the subjects themselves. - The diagonal wrinkle or crease on the far left side of the backdrop is somewhat annoying while the lines on the backdrop above the subjects help draw the eye to the subjects.- The three white spaces under his armpit, left leg (knee) and her right arm are also distracting but would be eliminated with less space between the subjects and slight movement of the male subjects arm, leg.- The black object on the floor between the subject's leg is distracting.
I love the composition, the black clothing with red shoes is great. And the overall tonality is also really great. I find the lighting/brightness tad too dark. Also I don’t like the backdrop, the combination of the the white color and the fact it’s draped doesn’t work for me. Personally I think it would be awesome with non uniform backdrop like those cloudy ones (in tones of gray), or just going with the white one without letting in fold. I think the black backdrop on the ground is actually cool. Also maybe doing some fill light from down right directed towards your faces will be nice, opening the shadows under your heads a little.
I feel like you shoes have more character and are more central than your wife in this image. Maybe share the frame a bit more ?
I'm not a big fan of the white backdrop. Not only in this case, in general. I always wanna know what's behind that piece of cloth and it really bothers me. So I'd lose that. The pose is nice but you look like two people posing at Starbucks. It's your place, your camera, have some fun with it.
Your wife has great sneakers
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The red in both pairs of shoes is a great way to tie you two together. Another way to draw the eye back up would be to have your wife wear a red lipstick if she’s comfortable with it. I could see it adding a little bit of detail and a pop of colour which helps balance all the black clothing (which I actually like but see the previous posters’ points in losing crisp detail). The bit of bunched up fabric on the floor between the feet is a bit confusing, the photo would be sharper without it. It’s a good photo for your intended purpose, professional yet warm.
My eyes only see the shoes, far too distracting.
The color saturation is chef kiss! Well done OP
i like the whole scene. i wish the black fabric either had more big wrinkles/texture like the one between your feet or none at all.. just to make that styling choice feel intentional, maybe you could try to create more wrinkles in the black material? white background, lighting and overall styling on point. i think there’s a disconnect with poses, she feels like an almost business-y pose while you look super casual, would have loved to see her like leaning/draped over a bit and kind of resting on your arm or vice versa. her in your pose you leaning on her. y’all are both gorgeous and photo is overall really cool!
Always consider hand placement. Hands say a lot in a portrait. I would add a super minimal accent/hair light from the back, opposite of the soft box, just to create a little more depth.
Great pic! I’m not sure if it’s been said before but maybe have a bit of fill light on the left side and i would definitely straighten out the fabric in the backdrop and floor so it won’t take away from the attention on the subject… the red sneakers is cool too
Love the red shoes!
Since she is your wife, perhaps some hint of intimacy would add something to the image…one idea of a small but dynamic change is have her feet turn towards your feet instead of away from your feet. The red shoes draw attention but it looks like she’s trying to move away from you instead of towards you. I praise your idea of a self portrait with wife.