Autumn Portrait Sessions With Friend

[SJ_PhotoG]

Hi, I had a great photo session with a friend on Friday and would like some thoughts on the photos. Gear used was a Rebel 450D and Tamron 17-50 Non VC. She's a natural red head so she has very fair skin. I'm still a novice (only have been shooting for 7 months now) so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MLeeK]

WAYYYY to many for us to give you feedback on. 3 to 5 max.
There are some great shots here. Some with white balance issues, several with focus issues and the white vignette is not really appealing.

 

[tirediron]

What Old Grey-feathers said! ^^

 

[SJ_PhotoG]

WAYYYY to many for us to give you feedback on. 3 to 5 max.
There are some great shots here. Some with white balance issues, several with focus issues and the white vignette is not really appealing.

Thanks. I edited my post so it includes only 7 of my favorite shots. I didn't see any focus issues in any of my photos and I pixel peep most of the time but that's fine. Thanks for letting me know to lower my photo count though. . Also, I shoot in RAW and always give my photos a warm look so white balance doesn't really matter to me as I warm up all of my photos as a lot of photographers do. Thanks for taking notice though.

Also, I like the white vignetting as it gives it that winter frost look....just a personal stylistic decision.

 

[Derrel]

WAYYYY to many for us to give you feedback on. 3 to 5 max.
There are some great shots here. Some with white balance issues, several with focus issues and the white vignette is not really appealing.

Well, why not simply take a minute, or two minutes, and give feedback on maybe one or two? Do you need to C&C every,single picture?

I will say to the OP that there are four horizontally framed shots here, and none of them really qualify as well-composed. I am not sure why she has been placed so that she is looking OUT of the frame or appears to be "slamming into the edge" of the frame in most of the horizontally oriented shots.As to that white vignette over a dark background...that has long been considered "Cheezy"...wjioch is fine is one want to go for that sort of a campy look...but I don't sense that that was what you wanted. I think the woman looks her absolute BEST when we can see her jawline, in shot #2...that's a good angle for her. Shown full-face, with flat, shadowless lighting, like on the porch, and in some of the other unnumbered frames, she doe not look so attractive.

 

[DiskoJoe]

Lose the vignettes! The pasty white ones are the worst. Just screams MWAC !!!!!!

 

[tirediron]

...Well, why not simply take a minute, or two minutes, and give feedback on maybe one or two? Do you need to C&C every,single picture?...

Understanding that you addressed this to MLeek, I'm going to stick my $00.02 worth in anyway, simply because it's something that I've posted many times myself!

As someone who (when time permits) provides a fair amount of C&C (Good, bad, or indifferent, your call) I don't like to only critique part of a set of images for several reasons. Often I find that there are common threads running through the set, and I like to be able to reference one image to another, and also because I tend to think that the OP is going to wonder why I chose to comment on certain images and not others. In fact, when there are more than four or five images in a single 'C&C' post, I usually just pass it by.

 

[12sndsgood]

Not a fan of the vignetting at all . way too over done for my tastes. I like the last shot and would probalby like the first two if the vignetting was gone

 

[Derrel]

All or nothing.

 

[SJ_PhotoG]

WAYYYY to many for us to give you feedback on. 3 to 5 max.
There are some great shots here. Some with white balance issues, several with focus issues and the white vignette is not really appealing.

Well, why not simply take a minute, or two minutes, and give feedback on maybe one or two? Do you need to C&C every,single picture?

I will say to the OP that there are four horizontally framed shots here, and none of them really qualify as well-composed. I am not sure why she has been placed so that she is looking OUT of the frame or appears to be "slamming into the edge" of the frame in most of the horizontally oriented shots.As to that white vignette over a dark background...that has long been considered "Cheezy"...wjioch is fine is one want to go for that sort of a campy look...but I don't sense that that was what you wanted. I think the woman looks her absolute BEST when we can see her jawline, in shot #2...that's a good angle for her. Shown full-face, with flat, shadowless lighting, like on the porch, and in some of the other unnumbered frames, she doe not look so attractive.

Not well composed? I dont know whether to take you seriously or not as they appear fine to my eye and her eye a long with her family's eye.....I used the rule of thirds in the photos where you say shes "slamming into the edge" as it draws my eye more to the subject than say if she was placed in the center which would look boring and flat and would create a sense of unbalance.

I like that walking, third of frame while the subject is looking at the camera composition and pose. As for the white vignette....honestly I could care less if it's some out dated fad as I like it and I feel it fits the mood of the photography and the season very well just because someone says something is a fad or even if it was a fad if I like it than I'm keeping it as I wouldn't be true to my inner "artistic" self if I got rid of it because it has the label of being a fad. So yea, that was the look that I was going for.

I agree she looks best when you can see her jawline but I don't like to take every shot from the same exact perspective as it gets old fast. Lighting was/is fine in my book as I didn't use any external lighting and all shots were taken during the golden hour. I figure I don't like the idea of lugging around an umbrella/light stand, and holding them weights for every shot.....just doesn't fit my style as I'm a more mobile shooter and would prefer to shoot from different angles, perspectives, and with different poses during the golden hour or while using somewhat decent natural lighting obtained through other methods.

To each their own but I'm very satisfied with the photos I just wanted to share them on this forum. Thanks for your thoughts and opinions .

 

[Derrel]

Not well composed? I dont know whether to take you seriously or not as they appear fine to my eye and her eye a long with her family's eye.....I used the rule of thirds in the photos where you say shes "slamming into the edge" as it draws my eye more to the subject than say if she was placed in the center which would look boring and flat and would create a sense of unbalance.

I like that walking, third of frame while the subject is looking at the camera composition and pose. As for the white vignette....honestly I could care less if it's some out dated fad as I like it and I feel it fits the mood of the photography and the season very well just because someone says something is a fad or even if it was a fad if I like it than I'm keeping it as I wouldn't be true to my inner "artistic" self if I got rid of it because it has the label of being a fad. So yea, that was the look that I was going for.

I agree she looks best when you can see her jawline but I don't like to take every shot from the same exact perspective as it gets old fast. Lighting was/is fine in my book as I didn't use any external lighting and all shots were taken during the golden hour. I figure I don't like the idea of lugging around an umbrella/light stand, and holding them weights for every shot.....just doesn't fit my style as I'm a more mobile shooter and would prefer to shoot from different angles, perspectives, and with different poses during the golden hour or while using somewhat decent natural lighting obtained through other methods.

To each their own but I'm very satisfied with the photos I just wanted to share them on this forum. Thanks for your thoughts and opinions .

Your understanding of the "rule of thirds" is seriously flawed...the first photo has a bunch of empty, dead space on the left hand side of the frame, and her eyes are looking right OUT of the frame. On the second B&W shot, where she is walking "out of the frame"...those are what could be called unstudied compositions. You have been shooting pictures for all of seven months now,and you're telling me that your compositions are good, and that you, and her family, both think your work is good. Okay, I have grown to expect that kind of a response from many new shooters. As far as not being able to tell if I was "serious or not" when I said there were some photos that were not well-composed...I was being serious. I never joke about things like that. But apparently, you seem to think that the above work is beyond reproach, and that you have achieved a satisfactory degree of perfection. Apparently you feel there there is nothing that could be improved in your compositions above..

Try turning the camera to vertical once in while in the next seven months. And please, remember this: people evaluate photographs of their family members and loved ones based on their emotional connection to the PEOPLE shown in the photos...and NOT on the "quality of the photography". She looks like a wonderful, wonderful young woman, and I am sure her family loves her. I would suggest that some books on portraiture and on posing would help you progress. Your camera seems to be giving pretty good exposures, and it seems to be focusing pretty well, so the technical aspects your camera is bringing to the table are pretty good, so her family is seeing clear,sharp, well-focused shots of their darling daughter/sister/granddaughter.

 

[CowgirlMama]

You asked for C&C in your post and that's most definitely what you got. I have to say I agree with the other posters in the thread. I think you were working with a beautiful girl, but some of the pictures don't live up to it. Also, carrying a flash is very worth it, in my limited experience. I'm still learning to properly use flash, but it definitely makes my pictures a LOT better on the occasions I get it right.

 

[ewick]

^^^ totally agree. You ask for "advice" but when the people that have taken the time to offer what could be improved you contradict them. I you plan to go far as a photographer you must learn to be humble and learn from other. Sure some advice will be bad and not make sense but there are those that have been doing it a long time and offer good advice. I personally don't like the composition on half of these shots. Oh, and just because you like them and the subject and subjects family like them...well that don't make them good. You will know when you are taking good photos because complete strangers will complement you on your work. Until then keep an open mind and learn from what is being offered to you for FREE.

 

[SJ_PhotoG]

Not well composed? I dont know whether to take you seriously or not as they appear fine to my eye and her eye a long with her family's eye.....I used the rule of thirds in the photos where you say shes "slamming into the edge" as it draws my eye more to the subject than say if she was placed in the center which would look boring and flat and would create a sense of unbalance.

I like that walking, third of frame while the subject is looking at the camera composition and pose. As for the white vignette....honestly I could care less if it's some out dated fad as I like it and I feel it fits the mood of the photography and the season very well just because someone says something is a fad or even if it was a fad if I like it than I'm keeping it as I wouldn't be true to my inner "artistic" self if I got rid of it because it has the label of being a fad. So yea, that was the look that I was going for.

I agree she looks best when you can see her jawline but I don't like to take every shot from the same exact perspective as it gets old fast. Lighting was/is fine in my book as I didn't use any external lighting and all shots were taken during the golden hour. I figure I don't like the idea of lugging around an umbrella/light stand, and holding them weights for every shot.....just doesn't fit my style as I'm a more mobile shooter and would prefer to shoot from different angles, perspectives, and with different poses during the golden hour or while using somewhat decent natural lighting obtained through other methods.

To each their own but I'm very satisfied with the photos I just wanted to share them on this forum. Thanks for your thoughts and opinions .

Your understanding of the "rule of thirds" is seriously flawed...the first photo has a bunch of empty, dead space on the left hand side of the frame, and her eyes are looking right OUT of the frame. On the second B&W shot, where she is walking "out of the frame"...those are what could be called unstudied compositions. You have been shooting pictures for all of seven months now,and you're telling me that your compositions are good, and that you, and her family, both think your work is good. Okay, I have grown to expect that kind of a response from many new shooters. As far as not being able to tell if I was "serious or not" when I said there were some photos that were not well-composed...I was being serious. I never joke about things like that. But apparently, you seem to think that the above work is beyond reproach, and that you have achieved a satisfactory degree of perfection. Apparently you feel there there is nothing that could be improved in your compositions above..

Try turning the camera to vertical once in while in the next seven months. And please, remember this: people evaluate photographs of their family members and loved ones based on their emotional connection to the PEOPLE shown in the photos...and NOT on the "quality of the photography". She looks like a wonderful, wonderful young woman, and I am sure her family loves her. I would suggest that some books on portraiture and on posing would help you progress. Your camera seems to be giving pretty good exposures, and it seems to be focusing pretty well, so the technical aspects your camera is bringing to the table are pretty good, so her family is seeing clear,sharp, well-focused shots of their darling daughter/sister/granddaughter.

Actually you're incorrect. I have studied composition in depth and the rule of thirds applies to my photos and you obviously lack the knowledge of how to obtain balance in a photo. If you pose someone right in the middle of a field you wind up with a photo that is unbalanced, plain, and boring. If you have them "leaving" the frame as I had her in my first few shots you obtain more balance as there's dead space on the left and shes on the right eyeing down the camera with that mysterious seductive look that I was aiming for, I gave it a frost like look and white vignetting to match as this creates a sense of infinite "field" that shes walking through on a beautiful winter day and leaves the viewer wondering and it also makes her look mysterious and seductive this was all created using "tunnel vision" and finding a small field, not using flash to blow the background, using white vignetting to create that infinite field effect, a long with her leaving the frame right on the third of the frame to create a proper balance that captures the viewers eye as shes perceived to be leaving the frame.

This is called creating balance using the rule of thirds......Also, here eyes are looking DIRECTLY at the camera on the first picture so you obviously aren't looking at the same pictures as me.

Again, on the second B&W shot her eyes are looking DIRECTLY at the camera.....are you looking at the same pictures as me or arguing for arguing sakes (wouldn't surprise me after looking at your post history and you have ZERO pictures to back up that you're an experienced photographer).

Calling having your own style and using the rule of thirds a long with a certain style an "unstudied composition" is laughable in my book as looking outside of the frame creates a sense of dissonance and mystery bringing the viewer into the photo and makes your photos more intriguing, obviously you have failed to study composition and what emotions they can create.

Before I shot photography I shot video so most of the things from video transfer over to photography....I wasn't a complete novice when I started photography.

Where are your well composed photos? What do you consider studied compositions? Funny you mention these things since I have read professional wedding photographers books such as Roberto Valenzela's book which goes into composition into much detail and he was rated as one of the top 10 wedding/portraiture photographer in the world!

Also, about half of my photos posted were shot in portrait aka vertical alignment so you're just trying to be rude and have nothing to base it off of so you just make stuff up....almost troll like.

I'd suggest that you buy some books and actually shoot some photography instead of posting on here 24/7 with no photos to back up your claims or any references. The photos turned out great and she looks beautiful in them if you don;t like them and prefer boring standing in the middle of the frame mom & pop shots than look elsewhere, I'm developing my own style and I find it funny that the people that have negative things to say either have less than mediocre photos in their gallery or are 24/7 forum posters with NO photos at all.



Same thing to the guy above, he has no photos listed and says composition is off yet I have already received a ton of compliments from complete strangers on my photographs and continue to do so....my composition is right on for the balance that I'm trying to create. Like I said, if you want mom & pop boring stale umbrella shots that anyone can take with the subject in the center of the frame please look elsewhere.......I'm doing my own thing.

 

[tomso]

My advice? If you don't want to hear what people have to say about your pictures, don't join a photography forum and post your pictures. Like me, you're new to photography and thus your work leaves something to be desired. That's OK, I don't know about you but that's why I joined the forum in the first place. You should always take advice you get on the internet with a grain of salt, but that being said - it's free advice on how to take better pictures!

From what I've observed over the past month, many of the people posting on your thread know what they're talking about. It would be a good idea to at least take note. There's always room for self-improvement.