Christmas Eve with Miss Claus

[schumionbike]

I have a wonderful photoshoot with a friend of mine on the day of Christmas Eve. Quite fun. That explain the title doesn't it ? . Critique and comments are welcome. I posted 5 because I like to hear comments on how to improve my approach to photography in general and not just a problems or concern regarding one photo. Thanks guys!

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

http://www.facebook.com/#/photo.php?pid=43010909&id=9024454&fbid=718534583861

 

[AnotherNewGuy]

I like 4. I would crop 5 closer.

Don't like the shadows in 1. Wish the eyes were more visible in 2. 3 is sorta boring.

Just my rookie opinions. Good job.

 

[schumionbike]

Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it! Here is a slightly different version of number 2.

 

[The_Traveler]

IMO, several of these are much too dark and there is little emotional contact or warmth in any but the first.
(#4 has your shadow in it)

Looking at #2.
Note in the histogram below, the original is very dark, all of the tones being below the center.
This can be partially corrected by a levels adjustment (see right) but there is more noise as expected from adding light to the shadows.

IMO, again, this picture would be a lot stronger if there was some eye contact with the subject, moving that hair aside, and is she had a little more expression on her face (as in #1). The background is intrusive and this may have been avoided by opening up the lens to its max.

 

[schumionbike]

IMO, several of these are much too dark and there is little emotional contact or warmth in any but the first.
(#4 has your shadow in it)

Looking at #2.
Note in the histogram below, the original is very dark, all of the tones being below the center.
This can be partially corrected by a levels adjustment (see right) but there is more noise as expected from adding light to the shadows.

IMO, again, this picture would be a lot stronger if there was some eye contact with the subject, moving that hair aside, and is she had a little more expression on her face (as in #1). The background is intrusive and this may have been avoided by opening up the lens to its max.

Thanks for your input The Traveler. I definitely keep an on the histogram a bit better. As far as emotional contacts, these shots were not meant to be portrait of hers but it was more about the clothings that she was wearing (aka winter fashions) so we tried not to have contacts between the model and the camera. Thanks for the tips though The Traveler!

 

[KmH]

All but #4 have mottled lighting on the subject, which keeps pulling the viewers eye to parts of the image that aren't primary. A kiss of strobed light, even from a light on the lens axis would have helped define the subject though a snoot would have been needed in #'s 3 and 5.

The tilt in #3 looks more like an error than an artistic element but may have worked better the opposite way which would have strengthened the diagonals rather than weakening them. If the image had been made a second and a half earlier the subjects shadow would have fallen behind the square pillar eliminating an element that competes with the subject of the image.


The photographers shadow in #4 is a distraction. #4 might have benefitted from a much lower perspective by not only eliminating the photographers shadow but adding a measure of drama and tension to the image.

 

[schumionbike]

Thanks for your comment KmH, I'll keep that in mind the next time I go out. I didn't really notice it until you mentioned it .

 

[ShutterCraz]

Kinda Love #2.. but... are you able to crop or shot that landscape..??

Add to her look into some more space...

Just my thoughts

 

[schumionbike]

Thanks for the comments guys. She's quite a model, it's great to work with her. I have some frames of number 2 that were shot horizontal but I did not like them.