How do I make these snapshots look better?

[Michael79]

I been here before (your store), going through some of your pictures on facebook Ill give you this for feedback.

1 Half the people are struggling to carry the fish, so I'd come up with a stand.
2 I would stand them right between the flag and your sign in the walkway. Shoot straight with your building.
3 You're shooting to low, stand up.
4 Depending on what the weather is for that day, maybe an employee or a friend can lend you a hand with some test pictures?

 

[beachrat]

I been here before (your store), going through some of your pictures on facebook Ill give you this for feedback.

1 Half the people are struggling to carry the fish, so I'd come up with a stand.
2 I would stand them right between the flag and your sign in the walkway. Shoot straight with your building.
3 You're shooting to low, stand up.
4 Depending on what the weather is for that day, maybe an employee or a friend can lend you a hand with some test pictures?

Sounds easy,don't it?
I wish I was that good.

 

[Low_Sky]

Beachrat,

I'm new here, and a rank beginner so I can't even begin to help you with the technical aspects of your situation. As an avid fisherman, I do think I can weigh in a little on the photo composition and subject. For me, your first photo was a no-go simply because of the subject (the fish) and the guy holding it. A fish that is clearly dead and in rigor mortis never makes for a good photo, no matter how wet it is, or how clear the eyes are. Live fish aren't stiff as a board. Also, everybody knows the "hold a fish closer to the camera to make it look bigger" trick, and it's easy to spot. Try to encourage your models not to do it unless the photo you are composing will make it clear that it's not just a camera trick to fool the viewer.

I get that rigor mortis isn't something you have control over since you are taking photos at the marina, but the second photo was much better. Holding a fish vertically makes a stiff fish look more natural. I actually thought the second photo was pretty well composed, as far as the fish and fisherman are concerned.

 

[beachrat]

Here's one I tried to light at a little past dusk.
I know I blew it by blocking his face,but I think I lit it halfway decent.
Had a guy holding a lightstand up with an 80DX and a shoot through.
It ain't perfect,but it's a little better than what I've been doing,and man I've been practicing like crazy whenever I can.

Edit to add: there was a very distracting stoop and handrail on the left side of the pic that was Photoshopped out of the scene and made black. I don't know how to that,but the girl that works with me does.