I plan on flooding the gallery: Here's a family shoot.

[lovely_aly]

As a newbie I'd seriously love comments, critiques, and criticism from all of you seasoned pros.

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[amolitor]

There is a great deal to like in these, I like the way you place your models or customers in the frame, and I quite enjoy the light in these.

You are pushing the contrast in post to the point that the skin tones are extremely unflattering, though. They look red and blotchy, because you've pushed too much contrast into the range of values where the skin tones lie, so minor tonal variations in the skin are emphasized in a very unappealing way. You're also pushing the saturation, which emphasizes small color variations.

The contrast gives you an overall look that you're clearly liking, and that's fine. I would either smooth the skin a little more before pushing the contrast, or use some layer masking to apply less of the contrast adjustments to the skin itself, or both. There are probably 117 other ways to accomplish this I don't know about, too.

If people start giving you crap about your watermark, they're actually doing you a favor, they're telling you that you can safely ignore them!

 

[pixmedic]

has someone mentioned the watermark?
agree on the contrast. I would take it down just a bit.
personally, I like a natural WB and color, where it doesnt look like I tried to make it "vibrant" or tried to make some colors "pop"
I dont think these are "overdone", just more than I personally like.

 

[lovely_aly]

No one's mentioned the watermark, Pixmedic. What's wrong with it?

Amolitor, I appreciate your reply very much and the tips you included. Thank you. =) To address the skin tones: she tans A LOT...I tried editing in her favor...to make her look more natural and this was the best that I could do. As for the red blotchiness, is it him (the man)? I guess as I look closely I can sort of see it. I think it is from the cold weather we were shooting in that day. It was about 40 degrees and we were outside for nearly 2.5 hours. Regarding contrast, I don't actually use the "contrast" tool--I use filters and adjust their opacity and blend modes to create my desired look...

Anywho, seriousy, thank you. =)

 

[cgipson1]

Lose the tilt, please! This isn't facebook!

And your watermark is not nearly as obnoxious as many we see... hence the comments.

 

[pixmedic]

No one's mentioned the watermark, Pixmedic. What's wrong with it?

Amolitor, I appreciate your reply very much and the tips you included. Thank you. =) To address the skin tones: she tans A LOT...I tried editing in her favor...to make her look more natural and this was the best that I could do. As for the red blotchiness, is it him (the man)? I guess as I look closely I can sort of see it. I think it is from the cold weather we were shooting in that day. It was about 40 degrees and we were outside for nearly 2.5 hours. Regarding contrast, I don't actually use the "contrast" tool--I use filters and adjust their opacity and blend modes to create my desired look...

Anywho, seriousy, thank you. =)

I asked if someone had mentioned the watermark because amolitor mentioned it and i thought someone had commented on it being bad. I wasn't specifically targeting your watermark.

 

[Designer]

#1 good light, fair poses, not level
#2 subjects losing detail in the distance
#3 two good poses, one not good
#4 good poses, good light, good frame overall, good
#5 umbrella in front of face, good overall, tilted
#6 unflattering pose
#7 pose so-so, way tilted

 

[vfotog]

Some of the images are really sweet, but don't think her lace stockings and heels were the best choice for a family shoot. #6 definitely doesn't work for me cos it's such an awkward angle. Even though the heads look cute, it makes her legs look big. Plus, seeing up her skirt and seeing her butt just isn't what you want to do in a family or couples portrait. Most women aren't comfortable with flashing their underwear to show family and friends. Unless you're going for a little boudoir, I don't know that I'd even have posted this one.

 

[o hey tyler]

Well I can tell you that the first thing I noticed was that your first sentence directly contradicts the forum you chose to post in... Just throwing that out there. If you're established and a professional that's taking on commissioned shoots, that's one thing... But expect the critique to be intense, as professionals are expected to deliver a certain caliber of work.

With that being said, the skin tones and overall saturation lead to the subjects looking jaundiced. The one from a lower angle towards the girl with the umbrella doesn't really work for me on any level. The umbrella draws too much attention. 6 makes me feel as though I am preparing to give the Mrs a colonoscopy, not a flattering angle for this shot. And 7 has an extreme amount of tilt, too much and for no gain compositionally. I would also like to throw in a suggestion to see if your monitor is calibrated... That might be the cause of some of the skin tone issues.

You have some good ideas for compositions, and I mean that. However you're trying to put the cart before the horse. Get used to the fundamentals of photography first, and the limitations as well as the allowances of light. This is not meant to discourage you in the least. I look forward to watching your craft improve.

Keep shooting!