Maternity shoot...C&C please

[Vrdubssat]

Can I get some input on this photo that I took at my first maternity shoot this past weekend...

A&T Maternity by VrDubssat, on Flickr

 

[gsgary]

Sorry does nothing for me, under exposed, clutter behind mums head this is one for the recycle bin

 

[cgipson1]

Sorry does nothing for me, under exposed, clutter behind mums head this is one for the recycle bin

^This!

 

[EW1066]

Aside from the composition problems with this particular picture, I think the concept has potential. It has potential as part of a series of pictures but not as a stand alone image. If a client wanted only one image, this would not be the one to give them.

My 2 cents

EDUB

 

[Vrdubssat]

Aside from the composition problems with this particular picture, I think the concept has potential. It has potential as part of a series of pictures but not as a stand alone image. If a client wanted only one image, this would not be the one to give them.

My 2 cents

EDUB

When you say series of pictures what exactly are you meaning? As in group them in a collage type setup?

 

[EW1066]

Aside from the composition problems with this particular picture, I think the concept has potential. It has potential as part of a series of pictures but not as a stand alone image. If a client wanted only one image, this would not be the one to give them.

My 2 cents

EDUB

When you say series of pictures what exactly are you meaning? As in group them in a collage type setup?

Not necessarily a collage, more like a page in an album. I 'm old school with regards to photo display. Albums and series of framed pictures on the wall are what I prefer and consequently the way I think.

This style of picture seems like the title page of a maternity album. If you could re-shoot this and fix the composition it could work. At this point however, if this is a paying gig, this one gets filed. Unless you can find a way to clone the curtains all the way across. But even at that, hunter green and brown may look great in their bedroom, but as a photo back drop.....not so much.

EDUB

 

[Tee]

Might want to take a look at your white balance. Nice idea, execution a little off.

 

[amolitor]

Solid idea, not loving the colors. Her outfit, her hair, the bed, and the drapes behind her are all too similar in color and tone.

Great concept, though, and well executed in several ways. Just not perfect in some OTHER ways, as has been noted. I might experiment with depth of field, there's probably a degree of blurriness that you and she will like best, so shoot a bunch of variants and pick it out later (maybe you already did this, though, in which case, good onya!)

 

[Vrdubssat]

thanks for all the input everyone!

 

[MLeeK]

While I love the idea the execution needs a little tweaking. First the woman is getting squashed looking from the way she's laying back and the angle of the camera to her. I'd prefer not to ever have a flat on belly shot in a maternity anyway as it makes them look flat fat more than that beautiful rounded bump.
The curtain being half behind her, half not is a REAL detraction. Either all wall or all curtain, but not half. I understand that that may be where the window is, but if that's the case choose a plainer looking background area or extend the curtain for now.
How about something like the name on the baby's dresser or crib... and mom with her rounded belly at the crib next to it, standing up in profile so you see one hand touching the belly...

I can't totally save that white balance without major playing with the colors:

White balance-you've already gotten the talk from everyone else, but it is REALLY bad on this one. Warm is fine, but this is orange.
Less is more-less distractions, which you seem to have tried to do well for the most part.
Posture and posing is HUGELY important with pregnant women. THey're a bit sensitive about their size and you want to show the bump, not the "I feel like a house" look.

 

[Vrdubssat]

While I love the idea the execution needs a little tweaking. First the woman is getting squashed looking from the way she's laying back and the angle of the camera to her. I'd prefer not to ever have a flat on belly shot in a maternity anyway as it makes them look flat fat more than that beautiful rounded bump.
The curtain being half behind her, half not is a REAL detraction. Either all wall or all curtain, but not half. I understand that that may be where the window is, but if that's the case choose a plainer looking background area or extend the curtain for now.
How about something like the name on the baby's dresser or crib... and mom with her rounded belly at the crib next to it, standing up in profile so you see one hand touching the belly...

I can't totally save that white balance without major playing with the colors:

White balance-you've already gotten the talk from everyone else, but it is REALLY bad on this one. Warm is fine, but this is orange.
Less is more-less distractions, which you seem to have tried to do well for the most part.
Posture and posing is HUGELY important with pregnant women. THey're a bit sensitive about their size and you want to show the bump, not the "I feel like a house" look.

Wow thanks MLeek, that helped a lot! When it came to setting the shot I will honestly say I paid no real attention to the curtain/wall etc. That is one thing I desperately need to pay more attention to. I also will keep in mind about the posture etc. of pregnant women. I read about how important posture/posing was for maternity shots prior to the shoot and failed to even follow any of the tips.

I definitely agree with the white balance, wow it is very orange.

Again thanks for the help!

 

[janineh]

I have done something similar a while ago and thought I show you. Agree with the others. Hope you took more photos than just this one.