Critiques please! Help me help myself

[Cheex]

I took some pictures for a couple graduating from college in a couple weeks around the school they attend. The goal was to get good portraits but also include well known landmarks around the campus.

This was my first time shooting portraits and I've had no training at all so I did it for free.

I used a Rebel T2i with an off camera 580exii. I shot from 7:15 to 8:30pm.


There are two major questions I would like to get help answering:
1. What can I do to improve these pictures?
2. What should I do to make future shoots better.


To get better C&C I'll walk through challenges I faced and knowledge I have already.



1.

The fountain here is a well known landmark on campus. Capturing the fountain and the look down the street was important to the couple. I put my flash to the left of my camera to illuminate their right side. I put her behind him so the flash wouldn't shadow his face. I wish I could have found a way to not have the water spouting from her head but it's very hard to compose while two people are watching and waiting for you to set up. I was uncomfortable taking long pauses to compose. I imagine that's a hurdle I'll manage better in the future.

2.

This is a very corny picture. What do professional photographers feel about the pick-up pose? Is it something I should stay away from? I think the ultimate goal is making the couple happy and the girl wanted it done, but in the future when posing a couple without any idea of what they want, should I stay away from it?

3.

I wish I could have gotten lower to the ground to put them closer to the tower in the frame. There is a little too much wasted room in the picture. Also, I could have gotten more of their bodies.

4.

4 and 5 are pretty similar. Any idea on how to make these stronger pictures?

5.

6.

My least favorite. Her legs are chopped off and I understand that's pretty unacceptable. Is there anything salvageable in this picture?


I gave a lengthy description because I understand that's the best way to ask for C&C. Again, I'm not in any classes so anything you guys can say would be immensely valuable to me!

 

[889Media]

I do not have time to read through your post or write too much right now. But: The first thing I noticed was the fact that you say you do not wish to use too much time composing your shots. A good idea is, if possible, to check out locations before you get your models there with you and try to find out what would work or not... choose best locations for your models to stand, choose backgrounds that would work in the portraits etc...

will take another look through your post tomorrow...

 

[Raian-san]

She has a really nice natural smile for photography.

#1 is kinda not focus. Most of the picture is a bit underexpose except for #3 where it's perfectly expose their face but too much background in that shot. #6 you did a good job of somewhat blurred the background.

It's probably me but I find that creative shots more interesting and it captures the moment better than taking pictures of people looking straight toward the camera. All of these pictures look the same.. But you did a good job and with practice, you'll get better. I'm sure other people will chime in with their expert advice.

 

[The_Traveler]

Look, all of these are basically terrific and only need a bit of post-processing.to make them even better.
The only real complaint is that the couple is underexposed.

plus NEVER give a client images that are cropped to some unusual aspect ratio because it will cost them dearly to mat and frame them.

How much PPing do you know and what software do you have.

What I did was mask out the background then brighten and sharpen the couple. Looks good to me.
(maybe 3 minutes on the outside)

If you need help with this, just send me a PM.

 

[KevinPutman]

I think the sky in the 3rd one is a bit overexposed.

 

[Corvphotography]

3 and 5 are my fav. id say they are underexposed in some but overall great job!

 

[j28]

Here is a one minute rough edit of what I would have done with #2

The focus is a little off. The rest of my edit is just a personal style preference. I sharpened on their faces and toned down the background. Then ran a black and white action and applied a light brown mask (you can do this without actions, but in the interest of saving time I used them)

The hardest part of beginning to work with clients for me was learning to slow down. I had the mindset in the beginning that people would get impatient and think I didn't know what was going on if I took too long. When I started to slow down and realize that clients will follow my lead on how rushed or laid back the session is things went a lot more smoothly.

As far as the "pick me up!" pictures, if it matches the personality of the couple I say go for it. You can learn a lot by hanging back and watching how they interact with no direction, then try to intensify those behaviors a little for poses. If they love it, do it!

I like 4 and 5. The only suggestion I would have is to go in and tone back the reds a little. On 6 I might play around with a really tight crop on their faces, but that would depend on how the focus is. Overall very nice job for a first attempt at portraits!

 

[gsgary]

The best way to improve them would be to use a faster shutter speed because most are on the low side which could cause camera shake
also a smaller aperture to get enough DOF to get both of them in focus because most are not that sharp (they would not be sharp enough for me to give to a customer)