Criticism please

[Lmphotos]

instead of working so hard with just natural light, get a speedlight or two, some stands, and diffusers. you will have a lot more control, and a much easier time of it. you'll spend less time waiting for that "perfect light" to come through the window, and more time taking pictures.

Flash really intimidates me.... I have one for now and only use it on camera I dont think my t2i even supports off camera. But when i get the mark ii I will try and experiment.

 

[Brandon Hill]

I agree that this image is very flat because of the setup and light shape simultaneously. But as far as an alternate opinion to speedlight, more often than not I'm of the opinion that artificial light and babies aren't a good pair. Babies and children are perfect and natural so to mix them in with any kind of artifice always looks unnecessary (depending on what you're going for). I don't shoot family photography but my sister-in-law does and shoots a lot of babies. All she does is utilize a nearby window with a sheet/or transparent current, and any time of day she gets stunning natural photos of children with depth. Also include some prime lenses like the 50 1.2 and 85 and you're in very good shape as well.

If you do try it, I'd experiment with a speedlight on camera bouncing on the ceiling for the soft look these shots need.

 

[KmH]

Flash really intimidates me.... I have one for now and only use it on camera I dont think my t2i even supports off camera. But when i get the mark ii I will try and experiment.

You really need to be well versed in using both strobes and available light.

You're just short on education. It takes forever to learn anything by trial and error.

You are smarter than the camera and a flash unit. In fact learning to use flash manually is quite a bit easier than learning to use TTL flash. In that regard some simple and inexpensive radio triggers will allow OCF.
StudioHut 4 channel Wireless Radio Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Kit for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes with 2 Receivers
Impact Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit

On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography
Off-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers

 

[Mully]

You can make artificial light look like natural window light .... you just need to perfect a technique ..... natural light can be soft and flat

 

[Brandon Hill]

You really need to be well versed in using both strobes and available light.

Meh.. maybe. Though I know some pros who shoot pretty amazing ambient-only as well as outdoor and don't use strobes/flashes or even know how. Doesn't hurt to know a little of everything, but it's dependent on the type of work. I know a lot of gear folk on this forum who would cry blasphemy but it is what it is.

For what it's worth, I know how to use strobes since i need to for my commercial photography, but i haven't a clue how to use a flash.

 

[o hey tyler]

For what it's worth, I know how to use strobes since i need to for my commercial photography, but i haven't a clue how to use a flash.

Strobes are flashes.

 

[Brandon Hill]

For what it's worth, I know how to use strobes since i need to for my commercial photography, but i haven't a clue how to use a flash.

Strobes are flashes.

clever boy. i'm pretty sure you know what i mean.

 

[o hey tyler]

clever boy. i'm pretty sure you know what i mean.

No, I really don't... Sorry. What is so different between a flash and a monolight or studio flash? They're controlled the same way essentially. You could use speedlights for studio work if you wanted to. Although it wouldn't be the most cost effective or efficient for high volume work. If you're used to flash, you could learn different aspects of it quite quickly.

Also, I'm 24. Not really a boy, bro. Thanks though.

 

[unpopular]

I think the lighting looks soft, not flat.

you people are seriously hopeless.

 

[unpopular]

Also, I'm 24. Not really a boy, bro.

lolz

 

[Brandon Hill]

clever boy. i'm pretty sure you know what i mean.

No, I really don't... Sorry. What is so different between a flash and a monolight or studio flash? They're controlled the same way essentially. You could use speedlights for studio work if you wanted to. Although it wouldn't be the most cost effective or efficient for high volume work. If you're used to flash, you could learn different aspects of it quite quickly.

Also, I'm 24. Not really a boy, bro. Thanks though.

It sounds like you just don't prefer my shorthand use of the term flash to signify speedlight. Though there's a hint of defensiveness towards using a speedlight, which you may very well prefer to use. More power to you. Hang in there kid.

 

[pixmedic1 1]

im sorry, thats my bad...
I said strobes...
i MEANT some form of strobe lighting...strobes, speedlights....hell, even continuous lighting if thats what you could get.
just something that can fill in as a light source, and not relying on whats coming in through the window.


-carry on

 

[MK3Brent]

Shallow depth of field for the sake of shallow depth of field. Mushy out of focus back of the child which has hardly any contrast with the background.
Floating basket (chopped at the bottom.)

Looks like the composition is driven by the signature on the photo...

 

[Lmphotos]

the 1.8 ap. was needed so I could keep my iso low I use the t2i and any over 400 (Even with reduction software) looks horrible to me. BUT I have noticed it is very selective when people like wide apertures. Usually when part of my image is blurry they say use a smaller aperture but then I see another photographer do almost the exact same thing and its good? Is there an unknown rule I do not know about?

 

[MK3Brent]

Is there an unknown rule I do not know about?

Yes.
Composition.

It's attention to detail. It's about contrast between what's important and what is not.
In this case, the baby is important.


(Edit)
I noticed you removed the image from your post.
You should leave it up to help educate others who may read this thread and want to improve... also it gives context to everyone's critique.