A few pics I took during basic photography course

[50cent]

Hi all,

As per title, I attended a basic 6 hour photography course at the weekend.
A model was available in the afternoon for a quick photoshoot.
The photos below are from that afternoon.

Camera: Canon 450D Lens: The standard one it comes with.

Any comments / criticism greatly received on the pics below. This is the first time I've had the camera off 'auto' setting!!:


1) I reduced the saturation a little in photoshop on this one

2) Played with the levels very slightly in PS and added a highlight to the wall

3) This one's my fav of the three, but let me know what you think!

 

[The_Traveler]

These are very nice, imo, although the finishing would work better for me if handled a bit differently.

I think #2 is the most completed and looks good.

#1 - IMO, she might be a bit overexposed and loses some impact, the perspective distortion of the door jambs really bothers me as does that single blue patch on the lock that pulls the eye. I do think that the semi-odd wb of the subject really, really works here to make this a magnetic shot. It could be processed differently but as you have done really looks good me at least. It is a definite plus that she has the figure of a woman and not a stick thin model.

$3 - her skin looks over-bright and blotchy and that green on the door behind her eye is both over saturated and over contrasty thus really attracts my eye. By decreasing the brightness/contrast both of her and the door behind her (separately) you can shift the focus to her only.

I think these are really a terrific start, particularly for your first off auto.

 

[tirediron]

A very good start indeed. I think #1 has a LOT of potential, but I'm not fussed on the composition. You have a lot of vertical elements (Girl, door-frame, boards in door) but you shot the image in landscape/horizontal aspect. Why? If you can, go back and try this in portrati orientation and frame it so that you have the "Offices and showroom" sign image right, the subject in the same place, and about half or a little more of the left-hand door.

 

[50cent]

Thanks for both your replies.

The_Traveller:
Thanks for your comments and for the suggestions you made.
1st Pic: I didn't even notice the blue square on the lock. This has taught me to spend time looking closely at the details and questioning if various parts/things add or detract from the image.
I think I am going to re-process it in photoshop to make it a more vivid image. I did notice the perspective of the door frame, but quickly forgot about it again. I think it looks much better with the perspective 'corrected' as per your modification
2nd Pic: I do quite like this, but again regarding perspective, looking at it now I kind of wish the mortar lines of the bricks in the wall didn't have the slight upward angle they have.
3rd Pic: I made the background quite bright since I liked the colour and the way it looked, but I agree that having such a vivid background does remove the focus of the image away from the model. Your darker version does make the model stand out more - thanks for that. The model's arms/dress is slightly over exposed in my image - I did this intentionally in photoshop since I liked how it looked, but again, I really like your modified version.

Tiredon:
Thanks for your observation - at the shoot there were about 12 of us in attendance and we had very little time to take the photos so it was very much 'snap away quickly'. I think in the future I'll try and grab the same shot in both landscape/portrait etc. so at least that way I'd have more choice in terms of photo selection afterwards.

I see I have much to learn! But thanks for the positive comments.

 

[Forkie]

Really well done if this is your first go on Manual. I think you may have cracked it! Some observations:

1. The blue lock! Traveler already mentioned it. I'd probably just either desaturate it to dull it or replace it's colour to match the door. Also a shame about the chopped toe. But overall, this is definitely my favourite.

2. Absolutely love the colours, but the crop is a little claustrophobic for me. Perhaps it would've been better either in vertical, or with more of her body in the frame. This crop makes me want to try to keep my head above the water.

3. This is my least favourite, She's facing the wrong direction for the crop which is upsetting the balance a bit and her top is a bit too bright for the tones of the rest of the frame.

These are just my observations but I think you did great, especially as it's your first go. You've definitely got the "knack".