First photo shoot with a child edit suggestions.

[wyogirl]

I don't think you have to scrap the whole shoot. I would back up on that blur that you have and instead look into adding texture to the background. This is assuming that you are looking for a grunge style. You can crop some of your images to portrait orientation(although you will loose some quality) and clone out the legs in pic 4. Pic 3 is the best shot of the group (I think) followed by pic 1.

Some people here have given critique in a way that is not constructive because it has put you on the defense. I'm new to this group and if everyone who critiques has a "jump your case" kind of language and approach, then I can't understand why anyone would post for critique.

I have to assume that this forum is meant to be a helpful community, not a place where people can sling language that casts a negative tone and makes people feel defensive, inadequate, or otherwise bad. There are ways to voice the exact same opinion that is helpful and not detrimental.

 

[YvetteC]

I don't think you have to scrap the whole shoot. I would back up on that blur that you have and instead look into adding texture to the background. This is assuming that you are looking for a grunge style. You can crop some of your images to portrait orientation(although you will loose some quality) and clone out the legs in pic 4. Pic 3 is the best shot of the group (I think) followed by pic 1.

Some people here have given critique in a way that is not constructive because it has put you on the defense. I'm new to this group and if everyone who critiques has a "jump your case" kind of language and approach, then I can't understand why anyone would post for critique.

I have to assume that this forum is meant to be a helpful community, not a place where people can sling language that casts a negative tone and makes people feel defensive, inadequate, or otherwise bad. There are ways to voice the exact same opinion that is helpful and not detrimental.

Wow...I didn't get that at all....I thought it was excellent advice! Others even took the time to show examples of alternative ways to edit.

If the customer is someone you know, they may praise your work and then shove the photos in a drawer and never come back to you. Friends have a hard time being critical...especially of they know you are trying to do something new that you love....they want to be encouraging. That's why this is a great forum. You don't hear what you WANT to hear but what you need to hear in order to improve.

If it were me, I would bin them all, return her check, offer to reshoot and explain that you need more practice. There is no shame in that. When you reshoot, I would choose a location where there are fewer distractions in the background...maybe have the child wear something plain that will draw the attention to the face/eyes. You can shoot photos that aren't traditional without having to completely manufacture it in editing software. Look at hundreds of pictures, see what looks good to you and try to figure out how the look was achieved.