Being brave and posting photos

[CloverMom]

I can handle criticism but please be gentle. I have no claims of being anything other than a hobby shooter. At best, my photos will be published in a mighty fine scrap book for my personal use. With that being said, I'd still like to improve my techniques and really learn how to take a fine photograph. I'm putting out some images that I have taken. Some with my Sony Cybershot and some with my iPhone (don't laugh). I know these aren't award winning images or anything but some of my favorites. I can critique them some myself just after reading through the forums as much as I have. I guess I'd like someone who really knows what they're talking about (or more so than I) to tell me if I'm at least on the right track. Or tell me what I could do better or the next time.
I don't think my iPhone has settings for the camera so I'm not sure how I can improve those other than getting better gear. Sometimes the phone is just too handy And the shots I took with my Sony are I'm assuming done so in the auto setting. All are with out editing such as photoshop. The only editing I currently even know how to do is crop lol. Or I guess I should count the B&W as an edit? Anyway..... Here they are.

My niece at Destin Beach 2012


My youngest son 2010


My oldest daughter 2010


My youngest daughter 2009- Note, there is a thumb print on the lens that I didn't know about until after. I love this photo though. Also, this was taken with my MIL's Kodak something er ruther. Could've been a Canon something er ruther lol


My youngest daughter 2009



Also, I will be purchasing an Olympus PEN E PL5 with a kit 14-42mm II R, a 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 R, and a 17mm f/2.8 All Olympus M.Zuiko. Will be purchasing within the next few days or so. Thank you all in advance

 

[Patrice]

Good show. You have an eye for composition and framing. Keep at it, go find a large piece of white cardboard and discover what reflecting a bit of sunlight back to your subject can do. Will be interesting to see how you progress once you get your Olympus.

 

[CA_]

Terrible !!!!!

Just kidding

What were you afraid of?! They're a good start, especially on the cell phone / point shoot.

Instead of criticism, I'll call them pointers:

a quick google of 'rule of 3rds' is an instant way to make the composition of your photos a lot better. I use the rule if thirds every day, not just in art but illustration too.

The most important part of people photography that is somewhat portrait in nature is the eyes. The eyes should be well lit. These pictures could have been better by just having the children look at the camera, but that's a personal preference.

The iPhone has one of the best cameras (for a mobile device) ever made. The things photographers produce with iPhones in cell phone challenges is mind boggling.



Great start !!! Keep going!!

 

[CloverMom]

Aaannnddd when I signed up for the forum I clicked the Do Not Allow Edits to My Photos button. How do I change that? At first I didn't see the good in allowing people to edit my photos but now I understand the benefit.

 

[ronlane]

You'll have to change it in your profile.

 

[pic_chick]

So I know your things says it is not ok to edit your photos but I would like to try improve the 1st image so If you would like me to try let me know.

a reflector or an off camera flash for fill light. is really all I can suggest right now.

 

[laynea24]

Pretty good photos for the equipment you have. Getting better gear and learning how to use it would do you some good. I'm glad you're planning on buying some. These really are a good start.

My son has the shirt the little boy in the black and white photo is wearing.

 

[CloverMom]

Terrible !!!!!

Just kidding

What were you afraid of?! They're a good start, especially on the cell phone / point shoot.

Instead of criticism, I'll call them pointers:

a quick google of 'rule of 3rds' is an instant way to make the composition of your photos a lot better. I use the rule if thirds every day, not just in art but illustration too.

The most important part of people photography that is somewhat portrait in nature is the eyes. The eyes should be well lit. These pictures could have been better by just having the children look at the camera, but that's a personal preference.

The iPhone has one of the best cameras (for a mobile device) ever made. The things photographers produce with iPhones in cell phone challenges is mind boggling.



Great start !!! Keep going!!

I guess I didn't notice that none of them are actually looking at the camera lol. I guess that's my personal accidental style Thank you for the pointers. I appreciate them. I have learned so much from this site. It's amazing. Just by going back and looking at pictures I've taken that I thought were outstanding, I realize I now see them a bit different.

 

[CloverMom]

So I know your things says it is not ok to edit your photos but I would like to try improve the 1st image so If you would like me to try let me know.

a reflector or an off camera flash for fill light. is really all I can suggest right now.

I don't mind at all if you edit it. I can't seem to find where to change it to where it's okay. I have looked all through the general settings and don't see it. Anyone know specifically where it is?

 

[squirrels]

Choose settings near the top of this page, Edit profile (part way down on the left), and its the second from the last item.
Hope this helps.
Cute kids!
C

 

[ph0enix]

I don't mind at all if you edit it. I can't seem to find where to change it to where it's okay. I have looked all through the general settings and don't see it. Anyone know specifically where it is?

Click "Settings" up top on the "Welcome" line, then select "Edit Profile". It's the second to last option from the bottom.

 

[pic_chick]

I tried to pull some of the red out of her face. I think I like the b&W better I used lightroom 4. I hope you like them.

 

[Designer]

Hi, clovermom, and welcome! I will echo the criticism of the subjects not looking into the lens, and offer one other observation:

In #1, your model is bathed in red light, probably from the umbrella. Not much you can do unless you want to engage in some post-production digital editing. In this shot, you probably can't correct all of the redness, but just be aware of it for the next time.

Also, the last shot has been cropped with black bands top and bottom which are distracting. You should learn how to crop without those black bands.

#2 needs more light on his face, either fill flash or a reflector would do it.

#4 is cropped to tightly to the model. Hopefully, you have more image to play with in the original.

I like #3 quite a lot as it is.

Overall, a good set. Thanks for posting.

 

[CloverMom]

Thank you pic chick. I didn't notice the red until you pointed it out. I do like it in B&W as well. #1 and #3 were taken with my phone. Here are some more I was considering posting but picked the four above. Odd that the ones I chose were the ones where they weren't looking at the camera.







Here is #5 without the black bands. Idk why it done that the first time

 

[CloverMom]

Choose settings near the top of this page, Edit profile (part way down on the left), and its the second from the last item.
Hope this helps.
Cute kids!
C

Thank you for the help and for thinking my kids are cute These are three of the four. My oldest hasn't willingly let me take pictures of him since he was about 10 and he'll be 14 this summer. My oldest daughter doesn't really love it either. The younger two are hams though. They take every chance they can get no matter how many takes. Most of the time they're telling me "Mom, take a picture!"