Grad Photoshoot - Take 2

[Trevor Harris]

Hey all,

This is the second photoshoot I've done. I made dramatic improvements to my workflow from the first. I managed to add more steps but cut more time just by rearranging things and cutting out unnecessary edits. Most credit is given to the portraiture program. I'd like to receive any criticism you may have on the set - that's the only way to get better . Anyway, that's enough chit chat, here they are.


Trevor




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[pixilstudio]

#1 under exposed wrinkly back drop
#2 too washed out
#3 weird crop
#6 harsh shadows
#7&8 WB off
#9 lighting off underexposed and needs flash to fill in

 

[Trevor Harris]

Agreed apart from #2 - it was supposed to be high key.

 

[D-B-J]

Agreed apart from #2 - it was supposed to be high key.

There is a difference between high key and everything being blown out.

 

[Forkie]

Wow the Americans really love their cheesy portraits with their partners for every occasion don't they?! Engagements, graduations, seniors, weddings, Baptisms, etc., etc., etc.! Someone should break into the niche market of funerals, divorces and abortions!

 

[Trevor Harris]

Thanks for the suggestions pililstuido.

Guys - is this really necessary? There's a difference between critiquing and just blatant complaining. If you don't have anything useful to add, then don't add.

... and I'm not American, I'm Canadian - however if you want to generalize, I'm "North American". Yes, there is a difference.

 

[RMThompson]

Wow the Americans really love their cheesy portraits with their partners for every occasion don't they?! Engagements, graduations, seniors, weddings, Baptisms, etc., etc., etc.! Someone should break into the niche market of funerals, divorces and abortions!

I recommend this for the most "useless comment of the week", and at least fourth place in "being a jerk on a forum".

That being said, some of the issues outlined above are really glaring here. The first one has some nice soft light, but is ruined by a wronkled background. Fix it in photoshop, or lose the picture.

 

[Big Mike]

Funny...I knew that the OP was Canadian, just from the thread title. Up here, we call it 'Grad'...down in the US, they call it 'Prom' and they shoot 'Senior' photos.

#1 has nice soft light but as mentioned, the backdrop is wrinkly and under exposed. If you are going to shoot on a white backdrop, and you want it to look white, then you need to light it separately. (additional light(s) on the backdrop). The skin smoothing is on the verge of going too far (IMO). Some like that, some don't.

#2 is pretty bright (over exposed). Well, her skin is. Her hair, looks good, where as in the first one it was just a black shape. This isn't 'High Key' by the way. High key is when you match (or key) the clothing to the background, in order to make the face/skin stand out. High Key doesn't have to be (shouldn't be) over exposed.

#3 Dark background, dark clothing...this is a perfect example of what a low key shot is. Do you see how it makes her face stand out as the focal point of the image? As for improvement, when shooting dark hair against a dark background, you want to create separation so they don't blend into the background, like she does here. A hair light would work, or you could put a little bit of light onto the backdrop.

#6 The light is coming from below them, creating unflattering 'monster' lighting. See how her nose shadow goes up her face, not down like in the first one? The light is also very hard, which typically doesn't go well with this type of shot.

#7 This one has a lot of potential. You have a really nice backlit situation here, but I think it could just a bit more frontal / fill light. Their faces are a bit too dark. Also, I'd have him hold his left arm down lower, following the shape created by her legs....and not up in the air like it is here.

 

[Akkas]

Lovely pictures... as it looks that it was a day of celebration.... i think the clicks justified the expressions...... plz see my page too and see if my work is good or not...https://www.facebook.com/pages/Akkas-Shehzy-Alam/192442624141652?sk=wall