Family christmas pictures

[Vrdubssat]

Took some photos for some friend's so they could use them on their christmas card. I wish I would have paid more attention to the shadows but I will learn from my mistakes. C&C please!

1.)
The Lahrs... by A|bennett photography, on Flickr

2.)
Ruby Red Hat by A|bennett photography, on Flickr

3.)
The Lahrs by A|bennett photography, on Flickr

 

[Vrdubssat]

damn tough crown

 

[ManualMode]

you called it.. the shadows are VERY distracting.. so is the background. the first image is begging for a vignette and maybe even a faded blur. I'm speaking mostly about the first photo.. seems like there was a lot of potential that didn't quite make it.
Can I ask:

How long were you shooting there with them?
How many images did you shoot?

 

[Vrdubssat]

you called it.. the shadows are VERY distracting.. so is the background. the first image is begging for a vignette and maybe even a faded blur. I'm speaking mostly about the first photo.. seems like there was a lot of potential that didn't quite make it.
Can I ask:

How long were you shooting there with them?
How many images did you shoot?

It wasn't very long at all, I would say 30 mins tops with around 30 or so images.

 

[ManualMode]

I find it takes me time to warm up and dial in. I also shoot an insane amount of images, moving around as much as possible. Yes, I sweat when shooting. A lot.
lol

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

Light is very harsh in the family group shots. Almost blinding on their faces.

Find open shade next time if possible. Controlling light is very important.

The group shots have distracting elements all around the frame making them messy too. I'd try a much more shallow DOF.

 

[Derrel]

I kind of like shot #1...it's got a fun, almost-campy kind of feeling, with the Christmas decorations outside, and the dog wearing that silly Christmas costume. Yeah, their faces are in bright light...but for dappled light, which can be extremely difficult to work with, shot #1 turned out fairly well. At least it looks that way seen small, and since these are gonna be on Christmas cards, minor flaws are not going to be magnified. Just my two cents' worth.

 

[Vrdubssat]

Thanks guys! The location was right down the road from their house and they weren't willing to really go elsewhere due to the temperature. I will keep all these recommendations in mind!

 

[brycepearl]

the first and third shots could benefit from diffusing the sun, or going in the shade or something, either that or putting the sun to their backs because it looks like you used the sun as a key light in these. Not bad though. And I love the second picture, it looks like it was taken in the shade, I feel like a little more post-processing of this one would make it even better. Maybe bump the brightness a bit, add a little "Vibrance," brighten the shadows and also I don't think you need as heavy a vignette in it (Idk if that was intentional or just a product of your lens), but still keep some vignetting.