C&C please on family session

[billross77]

These are a few photos I did for a family this weekend. I am not a professional but I always think this board gives great feedback. I would appreciate any observations or critiques.

 

[Derrel]

The framing on #1 and #3 is a wee bit too tight...the kids need just a little bit "more room" to "move around in", visually. Shot #1 is a very FUN, and natural-looking shot...the kids seem to be having real FUN!, you know??? The middle shot of the girl seems a tiny bit over-exposed on the highlights, and she looks a bit heavy-lidded on her eyes...but I realize part of that is the way that effect or pre-set makes the image highlights look. Overall, I am sure the parents will like these pictures. The use of the staircase as background in all three shots works very well...and the lumber color coordinates quite well with the hair color of the kids AND it has a rustic quality that suits their western-style clothes quite well. Overall, pretty good portraiture.

 

[billross77]

Thanks Derrel. I had plenty of room on those two shots, but I guess I cropped too far. Here is one other shot. Believe it or not she did this little pose on her own. She must be a future diva.

 

[tirediron]

Love the last one!

 

[billross77]

Thanks. She was a handful to keep up with.

 

[twocolor]

My main critique is just those darn hot spots on her cheek. My eyes are directed to those cheeks over and over. Her eyes also seem a little over processed. I've been critiqued for going to far with eyes, and have learned it's better to mask out any action effect from the eyes to keep them looking more natural.

 

[Parker219]

I dont know WHAT you did to that poor little girls face, but that looks really bad. Look how nice and natural the skin tone for the kid sitting on the stairs looks. Then look at the tight crop picture of the girl. What did you do to the picture to make her face look like a halloween mask? I want to know so I never do that myself.

 

[KmH]

Dark eye sockets, squinting, and flat light.

The photos have no 'pop', because of the lighting. By no pop I mean the main subject doesn't really stand out.

Using some off camera strobed light would fill the dark eye sockets and provide some pop. By using a large modifier on the strobe the light and shadow edges can still be nice and soft.

 

[billross77]

Thanks everyone. The biggest reason I post my pics on this board is the quality of the constructive criticism. I know my pics aren't great but the other posters will point out a problem and offer a solution.