C&C on Family Session

revenater · Jan 15, 2013

I took these a couple weeks ago and would like some C&C. They were taking on an over cast day and unfortunately I only have a Canon Speed lite used on camera so lighting was not the best.
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thetrue · Jan 15, 2013

They're......nice. I HATE #4. Just that ridiculous face she's making makes me hate it. If that's a personality thing, a personal family based thing, that's fine. But as a member of the general public, I hate it.

Sorry if that seems whiny and bitchy, just being honest.

DiskoJoe · Jan 15, 2013

There are lots of issues here, framing, angles, cropping just to name a few. The look is more of a snapshot then a pro session.

There is a small silver lining though. #2 would be pretty decent if you cropped it some, maybe up to his waist.

weathers_pc · Jan 15, 2013

I like #3 ... the shallower DOF and angled fencing looks nice. I can't say I'm a big fan of the shots infront of the red building. Perhaps if they were positioned 6-8' further out from it.

revenater · Jan 15, 2013

Thank you for the comments, I never claimed to be a pro I took these for a friend and was just wanting feedback. Is there anything I should have done that would have improved them? I would like to improve so all feedback is appreciated.

Designer · Jan 16, 2013

Still asking for it, I see. (Good for you!)

#1 The type of pose here is probably better cropped closer (just below the elbows) or full length. Full length would not be my choice because one subject, the baby, is way too small to visually "compete" with the adults. Also, watch out for distracting elements in the background.

#2 See what I mean about the baby? Not only is the baby too small in the image, but she is also partially obscured from view. (yes, I realize she is asleep, but for the picture, they could have awakened her) Also background is cluttered.

#3 Go ahead and crop this one closer, raise up the bottom edge of the frame to just below his elbow, and then adjust the top and sides to "balance out" the proportions. Oddly, the fence and tree are not as distracting as the window of the building. It is because the fence has enough weight to hold its own in the composition, and the tree is slightly out of focus, therefore not a huge distraction.

#4 I agree that mother's expression is distracting, since we haven't heard the inside joke, or whatever, there is no connection to the viewer. Father should be looking at the camera.

#5 Now you've got TWO distracting background elements. And the baby is still asleep. When she wakes up, ask mother to turn her toward the camera, and ask father to move in closer. Have them stand somewhere else so there aren't those windows in the background, and use fill flash. For the second shot, forget the full body length, and move in to frame closer, preferably in landscape format.

lauracalderwood · Jan 16, 2013

I like the third one because of the shallower DOF. In the fourth one if I was the mum I'd be saying "do I really do that with my face?!", but I actually like that dad is looking at baby

revenater · Jan 16, 2013

Designer said:
Still asking for it, I see. (Good for you!)

#1 The type of pose here is probably better cropped closer (just below the elbows) or full length. Full length would not be my choice because one subject, the baby, is way too small to visually "compete" with the adults. Also, watch out for distracting elements in the background.

#2 See what I mean about the baby? Not only is the baby too small in the image, but she is also partially obscured from view. (yes, I realize she is asleep, but for the picture, they could have awakened her) Also background is cluttered.

#3 Go ahead and crop this one closer, raise up the bottom edge of the frame to just below his elbow, and then adjust the top and sides to "balance out" the proportions. Oddly, the fence and tree are not as distracting as the window of the building. It is because the fence has enough weight to hold its own in the composition, and the tree is slightly out of focus, therefore not a huge distraction.

#4 I agree that mother's expression is distracting, since we haven't heard the inside joke, or whatever, there is no connection to the viewer. Father should be looking at the camera.

#5 Now you've got TWO distracting background elements. And the baby is still asleep. When she wakes up, ask mother to turn her toward the camera, and ask father to move in closer. Have them stand somewhere else so there aren't those windows in the background, and use fill flash. For the second shot, forget the full body length, and move in to frame closer, preferably in landscape format.