Cloudy day, C&C one more time pretty please.

[luvmyfamily]

Frustrated with these. Was a cloudy day, but bright cloudy if you know what I mean. Got some background blur, but over exposed 2nd one a tad better?
#1
ryne7 by luvmyfamily1, on Flickr

#2

ryne4 by luvmyfamily1, on Flickr

 

[MReid]

Nothing better than a cloudy day for portraits.
1 had potential. Maybe taken from a step to the right to get a better background and maybe as a vertical, the crop on his body is a bit awkward. Yeah there are some minor blown areas on shirt and face...not the end of the world.
2 is a nothing shot.

 

[luvmyfamily]

Nothing better than a cloudy day for portraits.
1 had potential. Maybe taken from a step to the right to get a better background and maybe as a vertical, the crop on his body is a bit awkward. Yeah there are some minor blown areas on shirt and face...not the end of the world.
2 is a nothing shot.

I agree, not the end of the world, but this was a wierd weather day, cloudy, but bright. I've been shooting indoors so long, getting used to outdoors now. geez...

 

[timethief]

I think the first one is better actually.Its composed better and has background interest.

 

[cgipson1]

How do you think you could have improved #1? As in evening out the the highlights and shadows a bit? Not blowing out the sky?

A reflector would have helped with his face. A flash (mixed properly with ambient) would have helped with his face, all of the highlights, and allowed you to keep the sky from being blown out. Underexpose the entire shot about one to three stops... and then add flash to bring the exposure up on the subject, maybe with a reflector on subject right. Make sense?

 

[Robin Usagani]

I disagree. The best would the sun behind a cloud but you have blue sky in the back . But I rather have low sun than cloudy day. More vibrant color!

Nothing better than a cloudy day for portraits.
1 had potential. Maybe taken from a step to the right to get a better background and maybe as a vertical, the crop on his body is a bit awkward. Yeah there are some minor blown areas on shirt and face...not the end of the world.
2 is a nothing shot.

 

[luvmyfamily]

How do you think you could have improved #1? As in evening out the the highlights and shadows a bit? Not blowing out the sky?

A reflector would have helped with his face. A flash (mixed properly with ambient) would have helped with his face, all of the highlights, and allowed you to keep the sky from being blown out. Underexpose the entire shot about one to three stops... and then add flash to bring the exposure up on the subject, maybe with a reflector on subject right. Make sense?

yes, makes sense. I was afraid a diffused flash would have overexposed his face. What type of reflector do you reccommend in this instance? Also, I posted some indoor and outdoor photos in another thread.

 

[luvmyfamily]

I disagree. The best would the sun behind a cloud but you have blue sky in the back . But I rather have low sun than cloudy day. More vibrant color!

Nothing better than a cloudy day for portraits.
1 had potential. Maybe taken from a step to the right to get a better background and maybe as a vertical, the crop on his body is a bit awkward. Yeah there are some minor blown areas on shirt and face...not the end of the world.
2 is a nothing shot.

The sky looks blown out, but I swear that is exactly what it looked like, lol. I have a post I just made on another thread with an outdoor photo of a 10 month old on a BRIGHT SUNNY day....and YES, more vibrant color! As far this one, it is my son, I have tons more I took, I am hoping to save them in photoshop since the moment has come and gone....or make him go again lol

 

[cgipson1]

How do you think you could have improved #1? As in evening out the the highlights and shadows a bit? Not blowing out the sky?

A reflector would have helped with his face. A flash (mixed properly with ambient) would have helped with his face, all of the highlights, and allowed you to keep the sky from being blown out. Underexpose the entire shot about one to three stops... and then add flash to bring the exposure up on the subject, maybe with a reflector on subject right. Make sense?

yes, makes sense. I was afraid a diffused flash would have overexposed his face. What type of reflector do you reccommend in this instance? Also, I posted some indoor and outdoor photos in another thread.

If you underexpose the entire shot in camera.. that gives you a little more room to work with as far as the flash goes. If you placed the flash OC camera left.. then that would help to average out the ambient shadow / highlights on his face. Reflector could be added to increase / decrease shadow fill. Any reflector.. pizza box, white popup reflector, whatever!

 

[luvmyfamily]

How do you think you could have improved #1? As in evening out the the highlights and shadows a bit? Not blowing out the sky?

A reflector would have helped with his face. A flash (mixed properly with ambient) would have helped with his face, all of the highlights, and allowed you to keep the sky from being blown out. Underexpose the entire shot about one to three stops... and then add flash to bring the exposure up on the subject, maybe with a reflector on subject right. Make sense?

yes, makes sense. I was afraid a diffused flash would have overexposed his face. What type of reflector do you reccommend in this instance? Also, I posted some indoor and outdoor photos in another thread.

If you underexpose the entire shot in camera.. that give you a little more room to work with as far as the flash goes. If you placed the flash OC camera left.. then that would help to average out the ambient shadow / highlights on his face. Reflector could be added to increase / decrease shadow fill. Any reflector.. pizza box, white popup reflector, whatever!

Pizza box, lol....hmmmm, what do you do though when it was just the two of us? I didn't have anyone to hold a reflector for me. My youngest loves helping out with photo sessions with me, so when I am not photographing him, he can be my "reflector holder."

 

[cgipson1]

yes, makes sense. I was afraid a diffused flash would have overexposed his face. What type of reflector do you reccommend in this instance? Also, I posted some indoor and outdoor photos in another thread.

If you underexpose the entire shot in camera.. that give you a little more room to work with as far as the flash goes. If you placed the flash OC camera left.. then that would help to average out the ambient shadow / highlights on his face. Reflector could be added to increase / decrease shadow fill. Any reflector.. pizza box, white popup reflector, whatever!

Pizza box, lol....hmmmm, what do you do though when it was just the two of us? I didn't have anyone to hold a reflector for me. My youngest loves helping out with photo sessions with me, so when I am not photographing him, he can be my "reflector holder."

Use just flash.. skip the reflector! Or carry a small lightstand with some reflector clips...

 

[luvmyfamily]

If you underexpose the entire shot in camera.. that give you a little more room to work with as far as the flash goes. If you placed the flash OC camera left.. then that would help to average out the ambient shadow / highlights on his face. Reflector could be added to increase / decrease shadow fill. Any reflector.. pizza box, white popup reflector, whatever!

Pizza box, lol....hmmmm, what do you do though when it was just the two of us? I didn't have anyone to hold a reflector for me. My youngest loves helping out with photo sessions with me, so when I am not photographing him, he can be my "reflector holder."

Use just flash.. skip the reflector! Or carry a small lightstand with some reflector clips...

I have a dozen clips....so great idea about lightstand....or I could use my studio stands that are very portable.....hope a train doesn't come! We'd have to move all that stuff FAST

 

[dandaluzphotography]

Hi,

Your profile says your photos are ok to edit so I gave it a try on number 1. I liked this shot and think it has potential. I found it a bit soft, flat as far as color and too contrasty. I cropped it a bit, warmed it up, boosted the colors a bit and sharpened. I might have sharpened a bit more, but I didn't want to overdo it. What do you think?

Danny

 

[luvmyfamily]

Hi,

Your profile says your photos are ok to edit so I gave it a try on number 1. I liked this shot and think it has potential. I found it a bit soft, flat as far as color and too contrasty. I cropped it a bit, warmed it up, boosted the colors a bit and sharpened. I might have sharpened a bit more, but I didn't want to overdo it. What do you think?



Danny

I like the edit! The sky looks blown out but I swear on my life that is what the sky looked like at that time! Bright, but cloudy and hazy! I of course have all the originals from this shoot, so I may play around with them some more and also get some B&W's.

 

[dandaluzphotography]

Hi,

Your profile says your photos are ok to edit so I gave it a try on number 1. I liked this shot and think it has potential. I found it a bit soft, flat as far as color and too contrasty. I cropped it a bit, warmed it up, boosted the colors a bit and sharpened. I might have sharpened a bit more, but I didn't want to overdo it. What do you think?



Danny

I like the edit! The sky looks blown out but I swear on my life that is what the sky looked like at that time! Bright, but cloudy and hazy! I of course have all the originals from this shoot, so I may play around with them some more and also get some B&W's.

Thanks! I don't think it matters so much if the sky is blown out. The subject of the shot seems properly exposed and I don't think the blown out sky is a distraction. Depending on what you're going for, you might do this intentionally.

Danny