First portrait CC

[chuckeb]

My first attempt at an outdoor portrait. What do you guys think?

 

[shaylou]

I don't like the composition. It looks like it was cropped to get away from having them centered. Having them look different directions doesn't work here either.Another thing to consider is what is in the background. Half of this shots background is a yellow wall and the other half bushes, very distracting. The image is exposed correctly.

 

[chuckeb]

That is a good critique. I didn't really pose them, since this was an impromptu event as I was trying to leave church. I'll be more mindful of the background. Not cropped, just tired photog who wanted to go home. :-D

 

[shaylou]

That is a good critique. I didn't really pose them, since this was an impromptu event as I was trying to leave church. I'll be more mindful of the background. Not cropped, just tired photog who wanted to go home. :-D

I'm glad you are open minded. I don't want to upset anyone but I do like to help when all possible. I'm not an expert by any means but I have learned a few things from some knowledgable photographers. Backgrounds are the first thing and most of the time the most important thing to look for. Well at least for me they are. I took some street shots in San Francisco recently and I set up around backgrounds. Here is my Flickr if you want to check them out for ideas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47096888@N06/

 

[chuckeb]

Just with a quick glance, I can see what you mean. Great shots. I sometimes forget these details like the background. Any help is appreciated. I'll likely do a planned shoot with them. I'll make sure to pay more attention to location, and composure. Don't worry. I'm not easily hurt or offended.

 

[Granddad]

That is a good critique. I didn't really pose them, since this was an impromptu event as I was trying to leave church. I'll be more mindful of the background. Not cropped, just tired photog who wanted to go home. :-D

I'm glad you are open minded. I don't want to upset anyone but I do like to help when all possible. I'm not an expert by any means but I have learned a few things from some knowledgable photographers. Backgrounds are the first thing and most of the time the most important thing to look for. Well at least for me they are. I took some street shots in San Francisco recently and I set up around backgrounds. Here is my Flickr if you want to check them out for ideas.

Flickr: shayne_photos' Photostream

Good advice and I like the fact that you backed it up with your Flickr, it's always good to see that someone relatively new to the forum really knows his stuff. You have some really good work that's worth looking at.

 

[Braineack]

Too shallow DOF and the subject in focus isn't looking at the camera. Too tightly framed. Colors/WB look muted to me. Awkward pose. Distracting background. A little under exposed and could use a fill to the right.

If this was a just a little impromptu snapshot taken after some event, I wouldn't consider this your first outdoor portrait, but practice for your first real outdoor portrait.

 

[chuckeb]

Good point. Yes it was an impropmtu thing. I felt ambushed in fact. Thanks for pointing that out.