C&C please, young family

[crimbfighter]

This was my first attempt at shooting a young family whom I have been friends with for some time. They graciously volunteered themselves for me to practice on.

1. This file was hard for me to work with. I accidentally WAY overexposed it, and couldn't bring the exposure or contrast down on the baby any more without making him look really bad. I was out of ideas, so I thought I would add the vignette to offset the frame. Maybe it works? I'm not sold on it, though. I know dad just sorta comes out of nowhere, but I was having trouble working him in the frame. I tried it a little differently on the next one.

Here is the second variation on the first pose. Thoughts on this one?

2. This one, I don't know, I just seemed to be on a vignette kick...

3.

I'm definitely not very good at people, yet. This was also a tough subject (fussy 3 mo. old who didn't want to cooperate) I know I have a long way to go... Thoughts?

 

[LittleMike]

IMO, #3 is the best one. 1 & 2 seem desaturated to me, as well having a distracting background. Try a wider aperture next time to throw it out of focus. #4 the bright spots on her hair and arm are a little distracting, but not too bad.

Keep practicing!

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier -- not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability has increased."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

[LCARSx32]

I agree, the B&W is the best of the bunch. I like the second version of #1 you did. The vignetting on the first one didn't work. It just makes it look hazy and dark. The last one might be better in B&W as well. But I think it needs some fill light.

Keep it up! They aren't bad at all for beginner portraits.

 

[crimbfighter]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I think I will have a chance to reshoot this in about 2-3 months when the baby hits 6 months. Everyone I've talked to has said they don't get as fussy and are easier to please at that age. So I will be keeping your suggestions on paper till then!

 

[ChristinaW]

Next time you shoot young kids, ask the parents when is their fussy time. When do they take naps, and eat. You don't want to take pictures before they had a nap if it's during the day. They are mean little things sometimes! Make the time around the child's schedule.. it will help you out w/ the pictures.

I like 2 and 3...
#1 has a shadow right down her arm and all I can do is look at it.
#4 I don't like the way the woman looks in it

 

[Robin Usagani]

Meter the sky next time and use your flash.