First Maternity Shoot - C&C Please

[kric2schaam626]

Hi all! Just posting a few pictures that I shot of my sister & brother -in- law. These are the few that she picked out when I put them in the computer - there's a few hundred more. They were edited with some actions in PSE8 to her liking. Let me know what you think, I appreciate it.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

 

[NayLoMo6C]

for #3,6,7- i don't really like the washed-out color effect, but that's just personal taste
for #1 - the crop seems to tight on the sides
for #2 - the inclusion of the husband's right hand on her side makes it look like she has some weird alien hands or something
for #4 - i like the overall mood of the photo, can't point out exactly why though. B&W works well

 

[kric2schaam626]

The washed out colors are from actions I used in PSE8 while she sat next to me - I showed her what they are and she said she liked them, so these are the edits I did for her. I'm kind of curious about the overall composition? I could post a few more too if anyone else is interested.

 

[kric2schaam626]

Anybody? BUMP??!

 

[12sndsgood]

i liked most of them. only one i really didnt care for is #4 it just looks like she is really sad in that one and for a maternity shoot i'd think you want happy. it may just be me though on her lookig sad.

 

[RauschPhotography]

i liked most of them. only one i really didnt care for is #4 it just looks like she is really sad in that one and for a maternity shoot i'd think you want happy. it may just be me though on her lookig sad.

I thought the exact same thing, honestly.

 

[Mecal]

I agree with the washed-out comments.
I like #2 the best, I think the lighting is really good.
And #4 looked eerie when I first saw it.

 

[manaheim]

Honestly? I think they are mostly a disaster.

1. This shot is so cliche. I've always been really annoyed by it. People tend to like it and it's all sappy and sweet, but bleh.
2. This is just a little odd... and the angle.. I like angles and I use them a lot, but in this case it just looks like an error.
3. Actually kind of a cute shot of her, but the washed colors don't seem to be what is needed here, and the shot doesn't say "maternity" at all to me. Which is kinda fine as I dislike maternity shots generally, but... meh.
4. Whoa. Seriously depressing shot. Kinda cool if that's what you were going for, but I'm assuming "morbid" and "dread" are not desirable for this kind of shoot. Oddly, probably your best executed shot with the most emotional impact... but way out of line for a maternity gig.
5. Disastrous setting. Odd and unappealing composition. Random shot of pregnant woman on train-wreck of a front porch.
6. Odd angle, odd mood.
7. This one says to me "Hey, baby, let's make another... oh wait... there's one still in there!!!" Rather odd mood for a maternity shot.

Really... where you have emotions, they are either totally inappropriate or really strange for the kind of shoot. The rest are mostly emotionless, or have no story, or aren't particularly "cool" in any real way. The treatments are sorta random. The framing and compositions are either unpleasant or just not particularly good.

Were I you, I'd pick up some books on composition, study some other maternity shooters to see what they do, work on a style of your own, and start trying to ask yourself "what am I trying to say or show in this shot?"

I think you have a very long way to go.

 

[kric2schaam626]

Honestly? I think they are mostly a disaster.

1. This shot is so cliche. I've always been really annoyed by it. People tend to like it and it's all sappy and sweet, but bleh.
2. This is just a little odd... and the angle.. I like angles and I use them a lot, but in this case it just looks like an error.
3. Actually kind of a cute shot of her, but the washed colors don't seem to be what is needed here, and the shot doesn't say "maternity" at all to me. Which is kinda fine as I dislike maternity shots generally, but... meh.
4. Whoa. Seriously depressing shot. Kinda cool if that's what you were going for, but I'm assuming "morbid" and "dread" are not desirable for this kind of shoot. Oddly, probably your best executed shot with the most emotional impact... but way out of line for a maternity gig.
5. Disastrous setting. Odd and unappealing composition. Random shot of pregnant woman on train-wreck of a front porch.
6. Odd angle, odd mood.
7. This one says to me "Hey, baby, let's make another... oh wait... there's one still in there!!!" Rather odd mood for a maternity shot.

Really... where you have emotions, they are either totally inappropriate or really strange for the kind of shoot. The rest are mostly emotionless, or have no story, or aren't particularly "cool" in any real way. The treatments are sorta random. The framing and compositions are either unpleasant or just not particularly good.

Were I you, I'd pick up some books on composition, study some other maternity shooters to see what they do, work on a style of your own, and start trying to ask yourself "what am I trying to say or show in this shot?"

I think you have a very long way to go.

Wow. I believe your review is a disaster. It gives me no reason to want to come back to this forum and have my work critiqued. I looked at a few of the other maternity pictures on this forum shot previously to mine, and the critiquing given, and I personally believe mine came out a little better, as far as composition and lighting. Your review is rude and not helpful. And just for the heck of it, here are some comments she received on Facebook under these pictures:
1. (She obviously posted this picture because she asked me to shoot it.) “This picture is so cute, your nails make it “pop”! hehehe”

3. “You are such a beautiful little mama to be. So exciting! Soon we can all welcome baby ****** into the world. Yay!”
4. “My favorite shot so far from your photo shoot... I remember reflectively waiting for Caleb... Just sitting in his room praying for him & wondering what it would be like to hold him in my arms finally. It's amazing. ♥”

I’ll let these comments speak for themselves. When you have something constructive to say about them, or how I can do better next time instead of telling me my pictures lack the “right” emotions, I'll be back to read your helpful insight.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I have to say, you can't beat an arguement that includes comments from Facebook!!!

 

[Trever1t]

what would her friends say but this? you post on a photography web site asking for opinion and when you receive unfavorable comments, honestly given to help, you counter with what her facebook friends have to say?

Why not just post for C&C on Facebook?

I see no personal attack in manaheim's comments and frankly I agree with them. Take it as you will.

 

[manaheim]

Wow. I believe your review is a disaster. It gives me no reason to want to come back to this forum and have my work critiqued. I looked at a few of the other maternity pictures on this forum shot previously to mine, and the critiquing given, and I personally believe mine came out a little better, as far as composition and lighting. Your review is rude and not helpful. And just for the heck of it, here are some comments she received on Facebook under these pictures:
1. (She obviously posted this picture because she asked me to shoot it.) “This picture is so cute, your nails make it “pop”! hehehe”

3. “You are such a beautiful little mama to be. So exciting! Soon we can all welcome baby ****** into the world. Yay!”
4. “My favorite shot so far from your photo shoot... I remember reflectively waiting for Caleb... Just sitting in his room praying for him & wondering what it would be like to hold him in my arms finally. It's amazing. ♥”

I’ll let these comments speak for themselves. When you have something constructive to say about them, or how I can do better next time instead of telling me my pictures lack the “right” emotions, I'll be back to read your helpful insight.

I think you're misinterpreting "direct and honest" as "unconstructive and unhelpful", which usually means you are reading them through an emotional filter. If you want to learn anything about photography, that's the one filter you need to drop... and quickly.

 

[mommyphotog]

#1 I feel a bit distracted by the bottom right corner with the difference in lighting. This shot is all about symatry and this throws it off for me.
# 3,6,7 Are nice shots but I'm not a fan of the washed out look either. However, you said that's what your sister wanted and you need to please your subject.
# 4 makes me so sad. If I saw this with no info i would almost think she lost the child. She seems so sad.
#7 Love the cute,comfy felling the couple gives off but do not care too much for the crop.
keep shootin!!

 

[mommyphotog]

Honestly? I think they are mostly a disaster.

1. This shot is so cliche. I've always been really annoyed by it. People tend to like it and it's all sappy and sweet, but bleh.


Yes it is cliche but EVERYONE wants it. If that's a shot they want do it!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Honestly? I think they are mostly a disaster.

1. This shot is so cliche. I've always been really annoyed by it. People tend to like it and it's all sappy and sweet, but bleh.

Yes it is cliche but EVERYONE wants it. If that's a shot they want do it!

I agree, and that's why anyone can pick up a camera and go into business. Not much thought is needed, just do what past successful photographers have done. Although, processing the images, or I should say, applying actions, right in front of the customer is a new one to me. But I guess it does get the artist off the creative hook.