Maternity photos

[ygil707]

Hi guys. First maternity photos of my friend. Please critique ... Couldn't get more with her boy because he was way too hyper running around. Lol

 

[412 Burgh]

Watch your shadows. Especially on number 3. It's underexposed. It's tough I'm dealing with the same problem. Trying to master the never ending battle of lighting.

 

[Mach0]

These can use some flash or a reflector and shooting in portrait instead of landscape. Do you have any flashes or reflectors?

 

[cgipson1]

#1.. looks like shade.. lighting is a little flat.. doesn't pop! Larger aperture would give more pleasing background

#2 Lighting is very harsh.. very contrasty. Blown highlights on arm. You cut off her head. Watch backgrounds.. what is that junk upper left corner?

#3.. dark.. underexposed... framing is not attractive

#4 BUSY background... no eye contact. lots of dead space. Can't see the boys face... just a snapshot.

 

[tirediron]

Agree with 412; all of these needed some form of supplemental lighting, whether it was a SOS*, reflector, or full-on studio-light. Also, watch your backgrounds and DoF. The backgrounds are too focused, busy and distracting to really be idea. Consider using longer, faster glass for shots like these. In the last one, you have some great leading lines in the form of the bridge railings, unfortunately, they lead the eye right past the subject and out the back of the image. These are definitely a good start, and I would suggest grabbing your friend for another session soon.

*Speedlight on a Stick

 

[ygil707]

Thanks for the comments! . I'm starting my 1st photography class today so hopefully I learn a lot for my next shoot!

 

[LuckySe7en]

#1 is the best one. But as stated above, a shallower depth of field would have blown the background out of focus to give you a better portrait.
oh and pregnant bellies aren't really attractive so if you're going to shoot them, try to remove some blemishes and make them look nicer