C&C Please - Family Self-Portraits

[OrionsByte]

These were taken using a shoot-through umbrella camera-left, and a reflector board camera-right. I set it all up, took a couple test shots, and then got down on the floor with my family and used a remote to take the shots. As such, I wasn't able to give as much direction as I would have preferred.

I'd really appreciate some feedback on these.

1) This was actually the first group shot we took after the test shots. The shadows were a bit dark because I had the umbrella too far to the left, so I brought them up a bit in post.

2) This is one of the shots taken after I moved the umbrella a little closer to center.

3) My wife wanted some with just my daughter, too.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jeanelle]

I don't know what all the "pros" will say, but I love 2 and 3! I would be very happy to get family photos like that.

 

[vtf]

:thumbup:imo overall
I migtht've pulled back some and cropped it because if printed theres no much slack.
Number 2 and 3 are the best, and obviously you need some of that cutie. She's almost as cute as my daughter at that age.

 

[OrionsByte]

:thumbup:imo overall
I migtht've pulled back some and cropped it because if printed theres no much slack.

That's exactly what I did, actually - these are cropped. Part of the reason I cropped as close as I did was because I ran out of tree in the background, but I see your point about prints.

Number 2 and 3 are the best, and obviously you need some of that cutie. She's almost as cute as my daughter at that age.

Hehe thanks - yeah she's really cooperative with me when I want to take photos, so I'm a lucky daddy.

 

[OrionsByte]

Bumping this - I'd really appreciate some critique. Be nit-picky if you have to.

 

[bazooka]

I think #3 is great. #2 feels a little too 'hot', but it could be my monitor and will probably print better. I really like the light on your daughter in #1, but it doesn't look as good on you and wife... perhaps too much fall off from being so close, plus the direction is causing shadows on your wife's eyes.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Need to add saturation/vibrance I think. Plus you can probably make it warmer. Warmer color looks good for chrismas photo. Makes it feel like you are sitting next to the fireplace.

 

[OrionsByte]

Need to add saturation/vibrance I think. Plus you can probably make it warmer. Warmer color looks good for chrismas photo. Makes it feel like you are sitting next to the fireplace.

I'd already warmed it a bit, and actually I had bumped the saturation up a touch too, but that was before I brightened it, so I think once it was brightened it "lost" a little of the saturation. I should have seen that though. What do you think of this?