Let's be honest. Sometimes our jobs look like this.

[sarad]

Here's a funny from a shoot. I mean, we've all had these days right?



And here's the final product. Taking off the shoes and handing her a cat did the trick.



C&C are always welcome. It's the only way we grow as photographers.

 

[limr32 1]

I know I'd be crying if I had to be in front of instead of behind a camera. Oddly enough, I'd also smile if you let me take off my shoes and just handed me a cat.

I suppose the lesson here is to always have a back-up cat.

The second one is nice, but I kinda I like the first one better. I like the real moment. But this is probably Reason #48 I am not a portrait photographer

 

[sarad]

I too LOVE the first one! haha I always give the 'real' shots as an option when ordering pics while silently hoping that they'll choose them because they are so darn cute! But they always go for the 'fake' shot. haha

 

[limr32 1]

I imagine they already have all the 'real moments' they can handle. Fwiw, if they were my kids, I totally would have chosen the real portraits! (Well, to be fair, especially considering that this is a photo forum, I would have actually taken those real portraits myself )

 

[The_Traveler]

Raccoon eyes but cute (but, imo, badly cropped - what's the use of all that open space?)

 

[sarad]

I like to leave open space so when I make prints I have plenty of cropping room. Does that make sense?

 

[KmH]

Yep, cute. (Raccoon eyes = dark eye sockets)

The faces are also underexposed because no fill light was used to balance against the bright background and the back lighting. The younger girl more so.

Spot metering the faces would have helped some. The background would have been over exposed but that would be sort of like using a white background in a studio.

Here are some inexpensive books about using light you may find helpful:
Available Light: Photographic Techniques for Using Existing Light Sources
Direction & Quality of Light: Your Key to Better Portrait Photography Anywhere
On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography
Off-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers

And a couple of web sites:
Strobist: Lighting 101
http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

 

[sarad]

Thanks!!!! I sure do love it around here. The honesty is stellar. Best way to learn.

 

[The_Traveler]

I like to leave open space so when I make prints I have plenty of cropping room. Does that make sense?

Sure, so do I.

But post the way you would finish it so you are giving the best idea of what you see as good.
That gives viewers a better idea of how to respond.

 

[lambertpix]

I suppose the lesson here is to always have a back-up cat.

Lol. Words to live by.

FWIW, I like the closer crop & off-center composition of the first shot a bit better. The perfectly-centered comp in the second shot just calls attention to the posing, I think.

 

[The_Traveler]

I suppose the lesson here is to always have a back-up cat.

This is a possible commercial niche, like lens-rentals.

 

[sarad]

You guys are cracking me up! And yes, I will make sure to post as I'd print it next time!

 

[The_Traveler]

Sarad, you need to remember that many responders really will go out of their way to find good things to say no matter the situation, either out of courtesy (a misplaced concern, I think) or a hope that you'll treat them nicely or sometimes just to have something to say.

You know, a general 'Attaboy, you pressed the damn button and got a picture.'

I am of the possibly opposite opinion.
I don't try to intuit your inner goodness, I don't care if all your friends think your pictures are 'well, freakin' AMAZING!!!', I don't care that this picture might have been beloved by your ailing half-blind grandma who clutched it to her withered bosom as she passed to heaven where surely she is holding hands with angels.

I only care about the picture as I see it here.

(and of course the occasional attempt to be amusing.):blushing:

 

[DiskoJoe]

I too LOVE the first one! haha I always give the 'real' shots as an option when ordering pics while silently hoping that they'll choose them because they are so darn cute! But they always go for the 'fake' shot. haha

people dont pay for reality, they get that for free.

 

[DiskoJoe]

I suppose the lesson here is to always have a back-up cat.

This is a possible commercial niche, like lens-rentals.

He's definitely on to something here.