help with my baby's pictures!

[PreciousJessie427]

I am a new mom and an even newer wanna-be photographer. Trying to take good photos to save money in the long run and possibly make some money if I can get good enough... I have only had the camera a month and the lights for a few weeks so I will take all the criticisms I can get!

http://

 

[Opher]

I like the first one best. Over all your lighting looks a little flat

EDIT: could use a little more separation

 

[photosanity]

What kind of lighting are you using? You're on camera flash or an external? If you are not crazy about spending money on light equipment... I would definitely try window light.

 

[480sparky67 66]

I like the first one best, although it is off-center.

As mentioned, the lighting is flat.

The third one suffers from Subject Identity Crisis. Board, beach ball, blanket........ oh, yea..... there's a baby! If you're shooting a theme like that, put him in swim trunks and hand him a pair of shades.

 

[PreciousJessie427]

oh . . . how dumb am I that I don't even understand what "lighting is flat" means when you all can so easily... I will learn the correct terminology in time, I presume. I was using 2 300 w/s strobe lights :-/ thanks

 

[480sparky67 66]

"Flat" lighting basically means there's no shadows and everything is illuminated evenly.

 

[PreciousJessie427]

Thank you for explaining that for me! Maybe I will lower the "fill light" strength in the future.

 

[WesternGuy]

Generally nice photos for being someone who is just starting out...general comment...I agree with the others that the lighting is flat - the baby does not stand out from the background very well...

#1. fairly good image, but read up on the "rule of thirds" - take him out of the centre of the image - he is looking left (as I look at the image), so I would place him a bit more to the right in the image, so that it looks like he is "looking" at something on the left side of the image. Don't know if you can arrange that by cropping the original or not - next time.

#2. Centre shot - again "rule of thirds" for starters. There is no expression, at least for me, on his face - unlike #1 - 'nuff said.

#3. Agree with 480SParky - I would take out the "surf board", maybe leave the beach ball, but reposition - not sure where...also, you cropped the beachball which is not something you really want to do - makes picture look incomplete, among other things.

HTH...

Cheers,

WesternGuy

 

[PreciousJessie427]

Its crazy how I've never thought of all the little details that you mention, Western Guy, but they all make lots of sense.

 

[480sparky67 66]

.......- I would take out the "surf board",............

Maybe put him ON the surfboard. It would still be a recognizable element, but would not be as overpowering since it's seen on edge.

 

[vtf]

The others above me have pretty much said everything. I can only add watch the borders and how close his body parts are to them. Leave some space and if needed crop down.
Good start, Keep shooting.:thumbup:

 

[WesternGuy]

.......- I would take out the "surf board",............

Maybe put him ON the surfboard. It would still be a recognizable element, but would not be as overpowering since it's seen on edge.

Sparky, what a great idea - get rid of the blanket and the beachball and just put him in some kids beachware on the surfboard. Could then use the beach ball and the blanket in another composition. PJ427, I use the KISS principle in these types of compositions, meaning that "less is more" and "keep it simple and straightforward" - I will leave the composition to your imagination.

Cheers,

WesternGuy