First couples shoot! C&C

miss_jaclynrae · Sep 14, 2011

So I know I am new, but a main reason why I wanted to join was so I could get some feedback on my photos!
:lol:

So here they are, the first couples shoot I have done, and even though friends and family tell me the love them, I would love some advice as to how I could enhance them.
They were taken with my Canon EOS Rebel XSi, sigma 18-55mm lens [one without a stabilization], with a UV filter.

I didn't want to bore you with all of them, so here are just a select "few" :sexywink:

TIA!

Stanza · Sep 14, 2011

Very good shots!! I love it. I can see how much love they feel for each other just with see these pics

jmtonkin · Sep 14, 2011

While I was scrolling, I literally was thinking, "how many more are there?!" If you want feedback, pick one or two, post them and tell us what you like/dislike about them. In doing so, it will force you to really examine your shots and by doing so, you'll help yourself more than we can help you...

kitty44cat · Sep 15, 2011

These are awesome!!! Super adorable. Just like Stanza said, you can definitely feel the emotion and attraction you two have toward each other.

WesternGuy · Sep 15, 2011

When you post more than 2 or 3 images, please number them as this makes it a lot easier for someone to refer to them if you want C&C. I would echo jmtonkin's comments - a lot of images and most folks are not going to comment on more than 3 or 4, well, maybe 5...just remember what you are asking people to do - giving C&C on images is a bit of work and to try and do it for ten (I think I got the count right) images is more work than most are going to bother with. My 0.02¢ fpr now.

WesternGuy

LizardKing · Sep 15, 2011

I'm just a beginner, too... But I'll tell you what I see -in general- in these shots.

They all seem too cold... you probably wanna try to warm them up a little. Although, maybe you wanted them to look like this. I don't know.
And also, they seem like "washed out" or too bright... at least some of them. You might wanna work on that, too.

But again, I'm just another beginner. :mrgreen:

Regards,
LizardKing

bogeyguy · Sep 15, 2011

Why is it that when people get in front of the camera they think we need to see their tongue???

bazooka · Sep 15, 2011

I like #3 except it needs to be leveled with respect to the brick. As for the rest, I 2nd Lizards comments that they are on the blue side and too contrasty.

subscuck · Sep 15, 2011

In general, WB is on the cool side (as already mentioned), they're all rather soft, and in several of them the subjects are a bit too small in the frame. As already mentioned, 3 or 4 pics and number them if you want more concise C&C.

KmH · Sep 15, 2011

Pretty average amateur work. The lighting, framing, and composition in all them is poorly done.

miss_jaclynrae · Sep 15, 2011

KmH said:
Pretty average amateur work. The lighting, framing, and composition in all them is poorly done.

In that case, care to say anything constructive? Such as how I can make them NOT poor.

subscuck · Sep 15, 2011

I would start by reading anything and everything you can find on composition and posing. There's a lot on the internet that's free, and books at your library or local bookstore or Amazon.

TBH, these would make fine FB photos, but if you're trying to improve in your craft, you need to get get better technically and artistically. Learn a little about lighting, both ambient and flashed. You may not realize it, but some of these shots have lighting that really requires at the least, a reflector, but even better, a reflector and off camera flash to pull off. I'm speaking specifically about the shots with the sky blown out. I don't know how much, if any, editing was done to these, but as already mentioned, they look washed out, and all of them have areas where the high lights are completely blown.

Shadowbox · Sep 15, 2011

KmH said:
Pretty average amateur work. The lighting, framing, and composition in all them is poorly done.

KmH, are you bored or do you have some kind of grudge against beginners? I'll admit you have a lot of knowledge and have even helped me in the past, but lately you have been approaching most beginners with a very poor attitude. I think you could be a great asset to anyone looking to learn, but that's if you drop the negative attitude. It's like you get off on being a jerk, or you're so utterly bitter or angry about beginners. You know, you do have an option to not visit this actual section of the site if it irritates you that much.

Also I don't care who is mad at me for speaking up to KmH. Just because someone is smart or has knowledge doesn't mean you all have to bow down and kiss their angry mean butt.

tirediron · Sep 15, 2011

C&C per req:

1. The two main issues I see here are exposure and perspective. You have a blown background which could allow for a nice high key look, but the deep shadows on their faces and on his trousers kill it. A fill light was needed to either allow you to bring in some background detail and/or brighten their faces. From your shooting position, their legs seem excessively long and up-the-nose shots are rarely attractive.

2. Cute, but I think it would be better if we could see them licking the lollipop, or at least if it was a little lower and didn't obscure so much of their faces. Try cropping a little off of one side to move them away from the centre.

3. The lack of detail in his clothing and between the people and the background makes me wonder if a mono conversion was the best treatment here. It also needs to be leveled.

4. Appears soft and the pose... well, to be honest, it's unflattering to say the least. The background is also rather busy and distracting. Try and find backgrounds with minimal detail which will not attract the eye from the subject. Again, too centered.

5. Rather too much empty space in the image and again, too centred. This definitely needed some additional lighting to correct the exposure.

6. Facebook, 'nuf said.

7. Nice shot, but it appears that the focus may not be on the couple. Again, I'm not sure with the way his clothing blends in to the background that monochrome works here.

8. Cute; I would crop away some of the foreground to bring the couple "closer" and as well, this one needed supplemental lighting.

Overall, these aren't a bad set of images at all. There are a few basic mistakes, which with experience are easily overcome; the lack of fill lighting and centered subjects are the two main culprits.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

miss_jaclynrae · Sep 15, 2011

tirediron said:
C&C per req:

1. The two main issues I see here are exposure and perspective. You have a blown background which could allow for a nice high key look, but the deep shadows on their faces and on his trousers kill it. A fill light was needed to either allow you to bring in some background detail and/or brighten their faces. From your shooting position, their legs seem excessively long and up-the-nose shots are rarely attractive.

2. Cute, but I think it would be better if we could see them licking the lollipop, or at least if it was a little lower and didn't obscure so much of their faces. Try cropping a little off of one side to move them away from the centre.

3. The lack of detail in his clothing and between the people and the background makes me wonder if a mono conversion was the best treatment here. It also needs to be leveled.

4. Appears soft and the pose... well, to be honest, it's unflattering to say the least. The background is also rather busy and distracting. Try and find backgrounds with minimal detail which will not attract the eye from the subject. Again, too centered.

5. Rather too much empty space in the image and again, too centred. This definitely needed some additional lighting to correct the exposure.

6. Facebook, 'nuf said.

7. Nice shot, but it appears that the focus may not be on the couple. Again, I'm not sure with the way his clothing blends in to the background that monochrome works here.

8. Cute; I would crop away some of the foreground to bring the couple "closer" and as well, this one needed supplemental lighting.

Overall, these aren't a bad set of images at all. There are a few basic mistakes, which with experience are easily overcome; the lack of fill lighting and centered subjects are the two main culprits.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

This was very informative! Thanks a lot! I see I have TONS to learn [what have I gotten myself into? :lol:

]

Thank you everyone! I really do appreciate the feedback! I definitely know very little about what I am doing, I just know I love it and I honestly can't wait until I can keep up knowledge wise with yall!