3 shots for C&C...

[ConverseMan]

First off, thank you all for the great resource in this forum. I do appreciate it

I have been shooting for a little while now - but just casually as time allows. I am in the market to buy a nice Canon flash for my 30D and was wondering if you all could first Critique these shots and also tell me where a flash would have helped - if at all? I have always been such an anti-flash person because it tends to wash out colors when not used properly and I hate that. But neverless...here are the images.

Thanks to you all!
Nathan

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

#2... is that you reflected in her eyes?

 

[ConverseMan]

#2... is that you reflected in her eyes?

Lol yeah...I could probably take that out.

 

[tirediron]

C&C per req:

1. A tried and true pose; I think it would be better if they were both looking iin the same direction however, and I'm not sure that a monochrome conversion does this any favours. A speedlight could have been used here at low power, low and camera left to reduce the deep shadows in their hair.

2. Interesting. I would have to say a little too close and where it's sharp, it may be a little too sharp. I'm not sure any woman would find the details of the hair on the tip of her nose flattering. Here, I would suggest stepping back, and increasing your DoF to get both eyes in focus. Not sure that a speedlight would have much use in this image as shot.

3. Too much empty/negative space image left. I would suggest cropping this just a bit to the left of where his shirt meets the brick wall. A speedlight would have greatly improved the overall exposure in this image used with a diffuser and slightly camera left to lessen the deep shadow around his ear, and reduce the overall dynamic range.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

 

[ConverseMan]

Thank you very much John for your in depth C&C - that is exactly what I was looking for! I know more now about what you use a flash for...makes sense! I guess I would have never looked at the pictures as lacking in those ways. But, you are right - those suggestions really would have helped.

Thanks!

 

[reznap]

#2... is that you reflected in her eyes?

Lol yeah...I could probably take that out.

Don't take it out..

 

[LittleItaly]

#2... is that you reflected in her eyes?

Lol yeah...I could probably take that out.

Don't take it out..

+1. I think it looks neat!

 

[Robin Usagani]

negative space isnt always bad. This one is fine for me and I dont really see it as negative space.