Follow up thread for "Crop Critique". Please add CC

jlo24141 · Jan 13, 2013

Today I did a shoot with my friend Samantha again. Last time, i didn't use enough light and everything was grainy from the high ISO. This time, I seem to have better lighting. I also shot in natural light. For all of them I used a 50mm 1.8. Previous thread: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/people-photography/312309-crop-critique.html#post2824921

1. This is one of my favorite shots. I am going to try to take care of the shadows on 'our right' side of the face next time. Other CC much welcomed.

2. This was one of the better shots from outside, with natural light. CC welcomed.

3. The aperture is at 1.8. I used this because it let more light in so i didn't have to shoot at a slower shutter speed. I should be getting new equipment tomorrow- with more lights I will close it up some. Other than her face being more soft focused, CC is welcomed.

4. I am ok with this one. Any CC welcomed

5. I posted this one so the board doesn't think she is just a pretty face. She is brutal. You are all witnesses in case I need you.

651stp · Jan 13, 2013

To me, 1,4 and 5 looked underexposed. I thin you need more POWAAA in flash. Try moving your subject further from the backdrop to have a better DOF and/or put lights on your backdrop to make it smoother unless thats what you were looking for as a background? I did a quick edit on my rendition of how i would have edited it. I think a little post work would help these photos greatly if you shot in RAW.

Granddad · Jan 14, 2013

OOF! ...and I don't mean Out of Focus.

Be nice to this young lady and keep her in your studio while you follow the advice you get here. You need lights to get the best out of her. #2 is better and I like the DoF, though I'd crop tighter. I can see you are going to need lots of practise with her before you get the perfect photo and it looks like that will be a really painful chore.

Edit: I like 3 but (as pointed out) too close to the backdrop and you need to pay closer attention to details, her bra is showing in three places under that gorgeous dress. At her shoulder, the cleavage V and under her arm.

GrahamPhisher · Jan 14, 2013

1st shot is interesting, i'd work on composition a bit, like look into the rules of third.

jlo24141 · Jan 14, 2013

I do shoot in RAW, so I've still got them all. My question is- how do you know when your exposure is good? Obviously the camera was wrong here.

Thanks again for the follow up, Granddad! My new umbrellas didn't get here in time, but I think they may be just what I need. I tried to photoshop the bra out, but I need more practice with that program :/ I kinda gave up on it, so that will be my next project.

The first shot is cropped at 1X1, so the rule of thirds doesn't apply as much... There are some diagonal rules, though, which I most likely did not follow either. Here is the original- please feel free to crop to your liking!

Granddad · Jan 14, 2013

Since you offered the opportunity it would be churlish to refuse.

Here's my crop with adjustments in LR3.4 and Photoshop

EDIT: I was going to tell you what I did (and why) in the 10 minutes I spent on this but something came up and I doubt if I have time this evening. I'll get back tomorrow if I can

651stp · Jan 14, 2013

651stp said:
To me, 1,4 and 5 looked underexposed. I thin you need more POWAAA in flash. Try moving your subject further from the backdrop to have a better DOF and/or put lights on your backdrop to make it smoother unless thats what you were looking for as a background? I did a quick edit on my rendition of how i would have edited it. I think a little post work would help these photos greatly if you shot in RAW.
View attachment 32450

I don't know if anyone noticed but I added a catch light to the right eye lulz

manicmike · Jan 14, 2013

Granddad said:
Since you offered the opportunity it would be churlish to refuse.

Here's my crop with adjustments in LR3.4 and Photoshop

View attachment 32477

EDIT: I was going to tell you what I did (and why) in the 10 minutes I spent on this but something came up and I doubt if I have time this evening. I'll get back tomorrow if I can

I really need to work on my post work because this is a great edit.

jlo24141 · Jan 14, 2013

I'm about to go all out on lights next time. I will probably set up an exposure bracket as well. And reset my monitor! I think I keep fooling myself by thinking things are good to go.