Alright! First EVER session! C&C

[LittleItaly]

A lot of potentially good shots are ruined by a photographer due to lack of knowledge about light and how to manipulate it. All of these are prime examples depicting that lack of knowledge. Apologies for being curt, but sometimes the truth stings a bit.

Perhaps....maybe this would be the reason I am posting on a beginners forum. Unfortunately, I didn't come out my mothers vagina with a camera in my hand.

 

[kundalini]

So instead of a reasoned question, or at least a justification for my comment, you'd rather strike back with the Monologues point of view? Isn't that the point of the Beginners forum..... to get more insight, information and tutelage? I did forewarn that the truth stings a bit. Good luck 'cause I'm sure there are plenty here that will pat you on your back for your efforts.

 

[LittleItaly]

So instead of a reasoned question, or at least a justification for my comment, you'd rather strike back with the Monologues point of view? Isn't that the point of the Beginners forum..... to get more insight, information and tutelage? I did forewarn that the truth stings a bit. Good luck 'cause I'm sure there are plenty here that will pat you on your back for your efforts.

If your intention was to give constructive criticism you would have done so from the start.

I asked for C&C in the title of my thread, I shouldn't have to then ask for it again in reply to your "comment".

You posting on here that my lack of knowledge ruined my photos doesn't really tell me anything. I'm fully aware of my lack of knowledge....which is again the reason I am posting on a beginners forum.

I can only speak for myself when I say that I am not on here looking for a pat on the back....I am looking for people with more experience than myself to tell me what is it I am doing wrong....and perhaps how I can fix it in future sessions.

 

[Light Artisan]

Pick a better time of day to shoot, never have people face the sun unless you want them all to have the George Bush glare, reflectors can be had for cheap, and if you want to pursue this you'll need lighting at some point.

The sun can be avoided, you either have to plan around it or pay to minimize/use it to your advantage.

 

[kundalini]

If your intention was to give constructive criticism you would have done so from the start.

I asked for C&C in the title of my thread, I shouldn't have to then ask for it again in reply to your "comment".

It's not so straight forward as you might think. You're asking a viewer, such as myself, to comment on the photos that you post. You are actually asking a lot from someone to critique your photos. Why should I blindly expend the energy to critique your photos? There is a consistent theme in your images and I made mention of that fact. If you want further dialogue about WHY I made such comments, then it is up to you to foster that dialogue because at this point, my job is done.

I think you may be singling me out because I made comments that didn't suit your best interest. Welcome to C&C.

My goal is not to make your vagina swell, but to make you think. When you think about the shots you have taken, you begin to understand. When you begin to understand, you begin to improve. It is a natural progression.

Apologies if the words I chose were abrasive to you, but not for the content.

 

[LittleItaly]

If your intention was to give constructive criticism you would have done so from the start.

I asked for C&C in the title of my thread, I shouldn't have to then ask for it again in reply to your "comment".

It's not so straight forward as you might think. You're asking a viewer, such as myself, to comment on the photos that you post. You are actually asking a lot from someone to critique your photos. Why should I blindly expend the energy to critique your photos? There is a consistent theme in your images and I made mention of that fact. If you want further dialogue about WHY I made such comments, then it is up to you to foster that dialogue because at this point, my job is done.

I think you may be singling me out because I made comments that didn't suit your best interest. Welcome to C&C.

My goal is not to make your vagina swell, but to make you think. When you think about the shots you have taken, you begin to understand. When you begin to understand, you begin to improve. It is a natural progression.

Apologies if the words I chose were abrasive to you, but not for the content.

Because you CLICKED on a Thread asking for C&C....if thats asking too much then why bother even opening the thread to begin with?

I get what your saying....but the way you say things...(and I'm not just talking about on my threads) go over as well as a turd in the punch bowl.

 

[kundalini]

Please use the Ignore function available to you.

I gave what I thought you were needing. I bothered. You were not receptive. End of story. Good luck in the future.

 

[LittleItaly]

Please use the Ignore function available to you.

I gave what I thought you were needing. I bothered. You were not receptive. End of story. Good luck in the future.

Like I said.... I GET what you are saying. I am not singling you out... and I am VERY receptive to what you are saying...Just NOT how you are saying it.

I'm looking for help from people like yourself with the kind of expirience I hope to have one day.

That is the sole reason for me joining this forum.

 

[Chamelion 6]

A lot of potentially good shots are ruined by a photographer due to lack of knowledge about light and how to manipulate it. All of these are prime examples depicting that lack of knowledge. Apologies for being curt, but sometimes the truth stings a bit.

Just some constructive critisism here...

If your goal is to get someone to think about their work, give them something useful to think about.

As for the shots themselves... I don't think #1 is a total write off. Playing with the post processing could yield something useable depending on the expectations.

Unless the family is expecting perfect "studio" type shots, then not everything has to conform to such a rigid idea... Not a center piece maybe but a family on a bright sunny day conveys a certain warmth. Did you show these shots to the family?

 

[LittleItaly]

A lot of potentially good shots are ruined by a photographer due to lack of knowledge about light and how to manipulate it. All of these are prime examples depicting that lack of knowledge. Apologies for being curt, but sometimes the truth stings a bit.

Just some constructive critisism here...

If your goal is to get someone to think about their work, give them something useful to think about.

As for the shots themselves... I don't think #1 is a total write off. Playing with the post processing could yield something useable depending on the expectations.

Unless the family is expecting perfect "studio" type shots, then not everything has to conform to such a rigid idea... Not a center piece maybe but a family on a bright sunny day conveys a certain warmth. Did you show these shots to the family?

Yes! They are good friends of mine....they are completely aware of my inexperience and asked that I take the photos to give me some good practice and so that they could get something to use for their yearly Xmas card! They were very happy with the turn out.

 

[Chamelion 6]

A lot of potentially good shots are ruined by a photographer due to lack of knowledge about light and how to manipulate it. All of these are prime examples depicting that lack of knowledge. Apologies for being curt, but sometimes the truth stings a bit.

Just some constructive critisism here...

If your goal is to get someone to think about their work, give them something useful to think about.

As for the shots themselves... I don't think #1 is a total write off. Playing with the post processing could yield something useable depending on the expectations.

Unless the family is expecting perfect "studio" type shots, then not everything has to conform to such a rigid idea... Not a center piece maybe but a family on a bright sunny day conveys a certain warmth. Did you show these shots to the family?

Yes! They are good friends of mine....they are completely aware of my inexperience and asked that I take the photos to give me some good practice and so that they could get something to use for their yearly Xmas card! They were very happy with the turn out.

In the first shot the only real trouble area for me is the light on the woman's face and chest is out of balance with the the others. If you could possibly soften it a bit I think it would work well. Maybe a bit of work, but the skills would pay off later.

On the whole the main shots are great and the "ruined" shots are still nice, if not perfect.

 

[kundalini]

A lot of potentially good shots are ruined by a photographer due to lack of knowledge about light and how to manipulate it. All of these are prime examples depicting that lack of knowledge. Apologies for being curt, but sometimes the truth stings a bit.

Just some constructive critisism here...

If your goal is to get someone to think about their work, give them something useful to think about.

In my monochromatic, self-indulgent, lack-lustre, far too simplistic, rhino skinned, less than PC, rude, misogynistic, misunderstood, disingenuous, eighteen-wheeler can run through the holes comments..... the criticism was about lighting. If someone were to critique one of my photos and make a comment in the negative about the lighting, you can best be assured I would want to know why. Photography is ALL about lighting and the effective use of it.

It was my consideration that the comment about the ineffective use of lighting was something useful to think about. Unfortunately, the OP seemed to take the offensive, rather than the inquisitive. My fault? No.

 

[Chamelion 6]

A lot of potentially good shots are ruined by a photographer due to lack of knowledge about light and how to manipulate it. All of these are prime examples depicting that lack of knowledge. Apologies for being curt, but sometimes the truth stings a bit.

Just some constructive critisism here...

If your goal is to get someone to think about their work, give them something useful to think about.

In my monochromatic, self-indulgent, lack-lustre, far too simplistic, rhino skinned, less than PC, rude, misogynistic, misunderstood, disingenuous, eighteen-wheeler can run through the holes comments..... the criticism was about lighting. If someone were to critique one of my photos and make a comment in the negative about the lighting, you can best be assured I would want to know why. Photography is ALL about lighting and the effective use of it.

I was my consideration that the comment about the ineffective use of lighting was something useful to think about. Unfortunately, the OP seemed to take the offensive, rather than the inquisitive. My fault? No.

Just from where I'm sitting the critique was aimed more at the artist than the art. Most beginners are aware there are short comings in their knowledge... That's why they, we, post stuff here. The desire to learn.

When the lead in comment is simply "noobe mistake," it doesn't really inspire faith in the depth of further commentary. I don't go to school for my professors to tell me I don't know what they know. "Gee, you guys suck," kinda diminishes their status...

 

[kundalini]

A lot of potentially good shots are ruined by a photographer due to lack of knowledge about light and how to manipulate it. All of these are prime examples depicting that lack of knowledge. Apologies for being curt, but sometimes the truth stings a bit.

Just from where I'm sitting the critique was aimed more at the artist than the art. ...

You may want to shift the position of your chair slightly to the left.

Apparently this is a no win situation. Neither you, nor the OP 'gets' what I'm trying to discuss. I gracefully bow out of this thread and wish the two of you good fortune.

 

[David-Wayne]

GREAT job for your first ever session! I esp like #2 just the way it is. I heard "get closer" and "align the boards" but in todays modern world, nothing is straight edged, and its the happy family in a beautiful setting that really makes the photo. So i think perfect AS IS. I agree with Sam (not about you necessarily) that keeping the subject smiling and forgetting that their picture is being taken is the key to working with normal people I.E. not pro models. I joke with my clients and ask them questions constantly. As far as the light, you can avoid a flash for a while longer, just dont shoot between 11am and 3 pm. (We all started out without flashes, it makes you a better person