Christmas Photos - Would You Pay For These? C/C!!

[smackitsakic]

Here are some photos I snapped on Christmas Day.

I received a new Canon Speedlight (430 ex) and was eager to use it (not all of these photos used flash, though).

I'm still a hobby photographer, trying to slowly transition into photography as a side income. My question - if you hired me, would you be happy with these photos?

Also, if you have any specific critiques on these photos individually that would be great. Thanks!

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5

6

 

[GeorgieGirl]

You know, its up to those who ask for you to photograph them to pay for your services. If they want to pay for it then let them, that's what I say.

 

[RauschPhotography]

I wouldn't personally, but that's not to say that the family themselves wouldn't want to. I don't know these people, so these pictures don't hold sentimental value to me. The family will probably love them though

 

[edouble]

They all appear to be over exposed snap shots.

People pay for some strange things so who knows.

 

[vtf]

I am assuming these girls are yours, cute kids.
I dont see any shots here that I wouldve paid a professional.
1. The image is cute but theres nothing to it.
2. Seems oof, or very soft.
3. Angle is odd for the kids and the carpet stain on top step.
4. Oof or motion blur.
5. Best of set for me, but alittle cluttered in back. Her black shirt fades into bg, needed a back light for separation.
6. Motion blur is somewhat acceptable for the scenario but blonde is distracting and leg in bg also, really cluttered. Get down to her height, others were ok with that.

I myself am terrible with action shots. I do much better when they dont move. Keep working at it, I do think you are improving.:thumbup:

 

[gsgary]

No just snap shots

 

[flea77]

Ditto

 

[smackitsakic]

Thanks for the feedback.

This isn't a paid shoot and these were, in a sense, on-the-go snapshots hense the backgrounds. I guess what i'm finding myself continually striving for are shots that make people, when they seem them for the first time, say 'wow, that is a really, really nice photo'.

Since May I have definitely improved my skill, though I still feel like i'm a ways off from taking truly taking the next step where i'm comfortable in my abilities to consistently deliver high quality, profound exposures.

Does anyone have any specific advise on what to do better next time? Over-exposure is a common theme i'm hearing, and I believe a lot of my improvement needs to be focused on lighting to get a better grasp of the complexities of lighting.

What else? I won't have the opportunity to attend a photography school, but do have a keen interest in reading up on the practice of photography. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

 

[pbelarge]

These are candid shots. You sound like you want to do more of portrait style work.

Google portrait and youtube portrait. You will find a ton if info the help you along.

 

[OrionsByte]

This isn't a paid shoot and these were, in a sense, on-the-go snapshots hense the backgrounds. I guess what i'm finding myself continually striving for are shots that make people, when they seem them for the first time, say 'wow, that is a really, really nice photo'.!

These are candid shots. You sound like you want to do more of portrait style work.

pbelarge pretty much hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned. What you've got will most likely make people say, "Wow, that is a really, really nice snapshot," but it's not the kind of stuff they'd pay someone to do.

When was the last time you hired a photographer to come take candid snapshots of your family while they were just lazing around? The stuff people pay for are planned, controlled photographs where you direct every aspect of the shot from backgrounds, to poses, to expressions, to lighting... it's almost like the camera is the last piece of the puzzle.

I think these are certainly better snapshots than most people with a point-and-shoot could come up with any any given moment, and they'll most certainly get ooh's and aah's from family and friends, but they're not the kind of shot most people would buy to hang on their wall.

 

[OrionsByte]

I forgot to add the "what to do next time" part...

Next time, pull people aside and take their photos in a very deliberate and controlled manner. Pay special attention to backgrounds. Lighting is important, but a well-lit shot that's out of focus, poorly composed, or has a distracting background is still a bad shot, so for now, concentrate on controlling your camera and the compositional elements.

One tip that I always try to remember is to look "into" the viewfinder instead of "through" the viewfinder. The difference is that when you look "through" the viewfinder you may not really be seeing what the camera is seeing... you're seeing what you expect to see. When you look "into" the viewfinder, some of those distracting backgrounds and compositional issues will become more noticeable before you take the picture.

 

[SabrinaO]

Good exposure, nice focus... just work on the flash and get some kind of diffuser if you dont have one. These are good snapshots... I would like to see your portrait work. I like the pic of the adults.

 

[enzodm]

One tip that I always try to remember is to look "into" the viewfinder instead of "through" the viewfinder. The difference is that when you look "through" the viewfinder you may not really be seeing what the camera is seeing... you're seeing what you expect to see. When you look "into" the viewfinder, some of those distracting backgrounds and compositional issues will become more noticeable before you take the picture.

+1.
The kind of work made with C&C should be ideally self-made at the viewfinder time (in particular, background: should be either blurred or significant, to simplify). I'm still struggling with it too , is matter of experience (one thing is knowing what is needed, another one is to be able to apply when needed).
I would not pay for them: it's the kind of pictures you typically do with a decent camera. I agree #5 captures two nice expressions, although background is random.

As you have a flash, buy some cheap wireless trigger - it helps.

 

[bazooka]

One tip that I always try to remember is to look "into" the viewfinder instead of "through" the viewfinder. The difference is that when you look "through" the viewfinder you may not really be seeing what the camera is seeing... you're seeing what you expect to see. When you look "into" the viewfinder, some of those distracting backgrounds and compositional issues will become more noticeable before you take the picture.

That's really good advice.

 

[Bram]

I might pay for #5, depending on who they were to me. If it was my grandparents yes I might give you 5 bucks because obviously you weren't "hired" to do this job per say.