Looking for some constructive criticism..... Portrait Photography

duck411 · Aug 19, 2011

1 - Senior

5EH by celiacphotography, on Flickr

2 - Sweet 16

7TB by celiacphotography, on Flickr

3 - 2nd Birthday Boy

10LC by celiacphotography, on Flickr

thats it for now.....

MTVision · Aug 19, 2011

You have to put yours pictures on flickr.com or similar site. If u choose flickr.com - upload the pics. Then go to the picture. Click the share button. Choose grab the link. At bottom there is the option for the bbcode. Copy and paste in here and the photos will show up.

duck411 · Aug 19, 2011

thanks MTVision, hadn't tried the BB code, but i had every other way... hope it works... trying it.

duck411 · Aug 19, 2011

IT WORKED! THANKS SO MUCH! I feel like a total goob now.

The_Traveler · Aug 19, 2011

which one do you want c/c on?
If you have a bunch of pictures then the critique will be scattered and you'll get maybe one opinion per picture.
If you have read the forum at all you would see that people looking for c/c are asked to post one or two for best response.

MTVision · Aug 19, 2011

If you want feedback you should only post 2-3. That's too many To critique. Pick your best 3 and put them up and you'll get alot of feedback. Just some friendly advice from one noob to another!!I'd critique your pics but I'm on my phone and it's too hard to view them. Once I get on my computer I will!

duck411 · Aug 19, 2011

Thanks you 2! Reduced it to 3. HTH. I haven't been on here much, obviously, can't get high speed net on our farm.

Twisted · Aug 19, 2011

I am no pro but 2 and 3 look great to me. Number one is too centered for my taste but that's just my amateur opinion.

Tee · Aug 19, 2011

1. This one doesn't work for me. I don't feel the pose is flattering. Additonally, looking at the grass line and sides of the photo, it doesn't look level.

2. I like

3. Looks a bit underexposed or needs some fill light and look at the white balance.

The_Traveler · Aug 19, 2011

You need to look at the specific elements in your pictures, at first, to help you see the potential for problems.

Is something that could be thought of to be vertical (like a wall) or horizontal (like a lake) not correct. People may not notice this directly but it 'bothers' them.
Is the subject posed so, as much as possible, her defects are hidden and her assets are showing?
Are there bright things that pull the eye away from the subject?

If I was a young girl - which I'm decidedly not - I'd look at this and say, in rapid succession, "man, I am wide in the hips, I have fat legs and my belly sticks out." Now all of this might be true but you shouldn't make a picture that shows this at the expense of her very lovely face and what seems to be a nice persona. Don't pose females straight on flat to the camera, even if they are perfect. That emphasizes their width - and no one wants that emphasized.

What about that bright door post, it is brighter than her and pulls the eye?

IMO, the little boy's pic is undersaturated, and too flat.

duck411 · Aug 19, 2011

I REALLY struggle with post editing. I have Picasa and Portrait Professional 10 is all.... but hoping to PS soon. I did actually 'straighten' #1 in the print I made of it, it helps, but like you said, (though I was formerly oblivious to) the door is distracting... should i have shut the barn door? lol. Before, the lights bugged me.... but now them and the door light make me twitch. thanks. haha. j.k

Here's an up close of the same subject I did. I did MAJOR airbrushing at her request. lotta acne scars. Headshots tend to be my niche, but... I've gotta get out of my comfort zone with that.... nobody wants just headshots.

2EH by celiacphotography, on Flickr

The_Traveler · Aug 19, 2011

The headshot is lovely - altho in my taste the skin and the eyes are a bit overcooked.

duck411 · Aug 19, 2011

The_Traveler said:
The headshot is lovely - altho in my taste the skin and the eyes are a bit overcooked.

understandable, to each their own..... at first i despised it, but now i find myself doing more and more, mostly by request.... at least with the teens, they wanna look "fake & pretty".... !? oh well. it's growin on me, no doubt.