First C&C, not scared, I want to grow!

[stormywsmn]

I bought my first camera a few weeks ago and I've been running around trying to get as much practice as I can before the rain sets in. I don't like the flash on the camera so I've just been using natural light. My goal is to have the right gear and be proficient at portrait photography by spring so I can use my new skills to make a little money. I start photography 1 and portrait lighting classes tomorrow. I've been doing graphic design for years and I know I overused ps to compensate for my photographic shortcomings. Anyway, I'm really trying to learn and learn fast so any critisim at all will be greatly appreciated. Please excuse the watermark, the pics are from my project page on fb. Most of these are cropped way in because I only have a 50mm lens and I don't seem to get comfortable expressions when I have the camera right in their faces

#1 A friend of mine wanted to do a boudoir photoshoot for her boyfriend. This one she was laying on her bed in the one little bright spot coming through the window. One thing I like about this one is the pose dramatically reduced the appearance of her size.

#2 I cut off his foot

#3 My first attempt at backlighting, still without a flash. Recommendations?

#4

#5 I really wanted to bring out the train in the background and her tan was super orange. Not sure if I like this one or hate it.

There are a lot more I'd like feedback on but I don't want to overwhelm. Thank you so much!

 

[shootermcgavin]

3 doesn't look very natural but I still kinda like it the most... the kid in the couple I'd prefer to see her arm and the top of his head

 

[stormywsmn]

By not natural do you mean the way he's standing? I didn't edit that one very much at all. Yeah, I'm trying to get better at not cutting off body parts, lol.

 

[PerfectShotPhoto]

3 I really like the look and colors of it. It just looks like an awkward pose to me with her arm around him but I can't tell if his arm is just down at his side or what exactly. Like the post production on it a lot though.

 

[PhotoTish]

I think you are learning very quick! I really like the lighting and pose in the first photo. I like the expression of the guy in the b/w and I like the light in the third photo. You cut off the baby's hands and feet but, he has a great expression and it is nice to see a baby photo which is not overly processed. I don't hate the last one but I do prefer the others. For me, I would rate photo 1 as my favourite and you get a like from me :thumbup:

 

[stormywsmn]

Posing has proven difficult for me. Can anyone give me a good resource for directing poses?

 

[KmH]

You should learn about visual image composition; Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition. and tone down/make smaller, the watermark

 

[stormywsmn]

Thanks for the link KmH, very helpful. And thanks PhotoTish for the thumbs up.

 

[jake337]

Seems you like portraits. Start saving for those expensive telephotos! It's a good thing you don't get in to close with the 50mm or you'll start distorting body parts.

I think #3 looks odd because of your camera being too low. I think you should have raised it to chest height.

 

[KmH]

I'd back off on some of the post processing gimmicks.

 

[stormywsmn]

What kind of post processing would you recommend for portraits? I really like portraits that are light and vibrant. How do I get them? For example: Kristin Harris Photography

 

[MTVision]

What kind of post processing would you recommend for portraits? I really like portraits that are light and vibrant. How do I get them? For example: Kristin Harris Photography

IMO - I would learn how to do a clean edit on your images FIRST before doing any gimmicky type of PP. Learn how to correct exposure, WB, etc. If you shoot in RAW you will have more control over re image in PP. On portraits you should lean how to brighten eyes and teeth, clean ip and smooth skin, etc. Stay away from gimmicky stuff until you a proficient in he basics.

 

[MTVision]

What do you have for editing software?

 

[stormywsmn]

What kind of post processing would you recommend for portraits? I really like portraits that are light and vibrant. How do I get them? For example: Kristin Harris Photography

IMO - I would learn how to do a clean edit on your images FIRST before doing any gimmicky type of PP. Learn how to correct exposure, WB, etc. If you shoot in RAW you will have more control over re image in PP. On portraits you should lean how to brighten eyes and teeth, clean ip and smooth skin, etc. Stay away from gimmicky stuff until you a proficient in he basics.

I have lightroom and photoshop and have been shooting in raw. I know how to adjust all of those things, soften skin, brighten eyes, etc but it's likely I don't fully understand the "correct" way to do it. As I said, I've only been at it for a couple of weeks. By gimmicky I assume you are referring to the first and last shots. Is black and white considered gimmicky? Can you give me a specific example of where I went wrong with the basics on some of these? Thanks.

 

[MTVision]

I'm on my phone so I can't see your pictures that great.

My whole point is that your pictures should look amazing w/o over processing them. I'm not saying your pictures aren't great but you should work on taking amazing pictures, processing them in camera raw until they are perfect. Once you have all that down then start practicing re other stuff. You've only had your camera a few weeks - so you are still fairly new at everything.

I don't think black and white is gimmicky but it can be hard to get a really good black white conversion. I'm a newbie as well and I've gotten this same advice and it helped me.