My first portraits CC please

[mandabec]

This is from my first portrait session. Please feel free to critique.


1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

[LeeLeeMelis]

The subjects look nice. Why in #3 is the column on their feet? You really captured the couple, good job on the composition. Watch your exposure a litte blown out on the last one.

 

[oldnavy170]

I really like the last shot the best. I think you can fix the color of the sky in PS and you would have a perfect portrait shot!!!!

 

[The_Traveler]

Each of these could be commented on at length but these are just short responses.

IMO, these are a mixed bag with #2 being the best, very natural and great interaction and #4 next best but could use much tighter crop.

short reactions to the others.

1) not so sharp and distracting background
3) not sharp. white stone and selective color very, very, very distracting
5) angle really emphasizes less attractive elements

 

[elsaspet]

You have some nice moments, but the exposure is pretty sucky. You needed to expose for the background on these.
Still, you have nice moments. I hope the couple likes them.
Hugs,
Cindy

 

[mandabec]

Thanks for the comments. When I say first portrait I do mean first. I basically got my new 30d out of the box and got together with my parents for a shoot. I didn't make anyone pay for these. This is my first digital camera. I am still getting used to the idea. Plus editing I don't know much about so these are basically unedited. I am playing around with PS to try and figure this all out. Thanks again!!

 

[elsaspet]

Thanks for the comments. When I say first portrait I do mean first. I basically got my new 30d out of the box and got together with my parents for a shoot. I didn't make anyone pay for these. This is my first digital camera. I am still getting used to the idea. Plus editing I don't know much about so these are basically unedited. I am playing around with PS to try and figure this all out. Thanks again!!

Well in that case, these are awesome. I mean that.
The trick for backlighting is to actually set your camera to overexpose, I mean 1/2 stops to 2 stops depending on the backlighting.
Try it out. It's pretty fun. It seems weird, but it really works.
Good going!

 

[The_Traveler]

What Elsapet is saying is that when the background is very bright compared to the subjects, it has too much influence on the autoexposure. THe camera sees the brightness, calculates the exposure that will capture that as a medium gray (average) and thus the actual subjects will be underexposed.

Get an reading on what you see and then use the exposure compensation to increase the exposure by a stop or so. This will let the sky go to brightness, rather than gray, and give more light on the faces where it is needed.

In bright sunlight, you will often need to use some fill flash because you can't compensate enough without burning out the sky.

 

[elsaspet]

What Elsapet is saying is that when the background is very bright compared to the subjects, it has too much influence on the autoexposure. THe camera sees the brightness, calculates the exposure that will capture that as a medium gray (average) and thus the actual subjects will be underexposed.

Get an reading on what you see and then use the exposure compensation to increase the exposure by a stop or so. This will let the sky go to brightness, rather than gray, and give more light on the faces where it is needed.

In bright sunlight, you will often need to use some fill flash because you can't compensate enough without burning out the sky.

You said that well Traveler.
Don't rely on autoexposure. Always set your own. Play around a lot in Manual mode where you can set everything yourself. I pretty much only shoot in manual these days, and once you get the hang of it, there is nothing better.
Hugs!

 

[mandabec]

Thanks so much for the help. The sun was really bright that day and basically had no shade. I will continue to play around and see what I can figure out so not to have everything so washed out.

 

[photosbyjuan]

i would play with curves a bit, they all are decently composed but lack some life, you need a color boost!

 

[JimmyJaceyMom]

I think you could help them out in editing for sure and have some very lovely photos for your mom and dad.
Good job with your first time. yay.