Another go at Family Pics (Christmas Edition)

wamason · Dec 10, 2016

I managed to slow the kids down for an hour to take a few pictures in their Christmas clothes. We were out of town (for a funeral) and I was very limited location-wise. The general positioning was done by my wife this time. I also tried using a flash for a bit of fill light, which is definitely an area I need to improve in. Again, C&C welcome. I'll get there eventually.

Shot with a Nikon D750 w/ Nikon 24-120mm lens and Yongnuo YN568ex
f/4
1/200
ISO 100

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Designer · Dec 11, 2016

Very cute!

Granddad · Dec 12, 2016

Getting all four looking good at the same time with no gurning faces is a serious acheivement! I like #5 best.

PropilotBW · Dec 12, 2016

Agree with #5!

jcdeboever · Dec 12, 2016

Wonderful set, like them all . #5 my favorite.

SquarePeg · Dec 12, 2016

4 & 5 look best to me. Very nice job and I like the prop choice and outfits.

wamason · Dec 12, 2016

Thanks for all the compliments! #5 is my favorite as well, but I was frustrated because I didn't leave enough space at the top, so my attempt at correcting it is attached to this post. I enlarged the canvas at the top and cloned in a bit more of the tree. I also cropped to 5:4--it just seemed to fit the image better.

Granddad · Dec 12, 2016

Good job! That works. :encouragement:

photo1x1.com · Dec 13, 2016

wamason said:
Thanks for all the compliments! #5 is my favorite as well, but I was frustrated because I didn't leave enough space at the top, so my attempt at correcting it is attached to this post. I enlarged the canvas at the top and cloned in a bit more of the tree. I also cropped to 5:4--it just seemed to fit the image better.

View attachment 131471

Perfect. I like the lower perspectives much more than #1 and #3. Those shots are really cute, they even made me smile!

wamason · Dec 15, 2016

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any criticism to share on the technical side? (Colors, temp, brightness, etc...). I like to think #5 is spot on but I'm always trying to improve.

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

photo1x1.com · Dec 15, 2016

wamason said:
Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any criticism to share on the technical side? (Colors, temp, brightness, etc...). I like to think #5 is spot on but I'm always trying to improve.

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I too think they are spot on. If there is one thing I would have tried to reduce the highlights in the hair of the girls. In case you have lightroom, you could add a local adjustment with the brush.

Didereaux · Dec 16, 2016

Getting past the 'cute' part...yes they are cute. Are they good photos? No. They are decent snapshots. All are dead centered with a very strong forced pose look. Except for the last one harsh shadow(s) compete for attention. Your fill light appears to be straight on from the camera flattening the kids features. Remember control your background with your exposure triangle, and your subject with your flash/fill lights. that will prevent the lack of contrast/general flatness you have in all of these snaps.
Suggestion, rather than post a handful of shots willy-nilly on here, carefully go through them all and do our own critiques to the best of your knowledge. Then post two or three that stand out from the rest and that way others can compare and comment meaningfully. If you are after pats on the back then post them in 'Just for Fun' forum...your back will become sore quickly!

wamason · Dec 16, 2016

You make some good points, which leads me to a few questions.

You're correct about the fill light. I was using a speedlight mounted on top of the camera. Would I have been better served by adjusting my flash power? Or Is the flattening a generally unavoidable side effect of using a direct flash on top of the camera?

Do you think the background is exposed correctly? It looks alright to my inexperienced eye, although it does seem a little bright.

The images I posted were culled from quite a few. The first four are all slightly different background-wise, but I do agree with you, I could've done without posting #2, 3 and 4, giving that they are so similar.

Thanks for the input!

Derrel · Dec 16, 2016

The background brightness is due to the ISO and the f/4 and the shutter speed selected: f/5.6 would have darkened the backdrop and would have simultaneously lowered the hair rimlighting, which is just a tad bit too hot, especially given the fill-side's flash exposure. I think the shadow-side's brightness level is why the background might seem a bit bright. It is personal taste as to how to portray that kind of lighting. I think a bit of lighteningnof the shadow side and maybe slightly more contrast in the shadows would perfect the ambient to flash relationship. Overall though, a very pleasant group shot of the kids.