New to Portraits

R3d · May 25, 2013

My friends have been bugging me about doing graduation and engagement photos for them, and I've finally caved. These are from a graduation shoot, and an engagement photo shoot and this is the first time I've done either.

Enjoy!

Jason & Joss by R3d Baron, on Flickr

Joe by R3d Baron, on Flickr

Photographiend · May 26, 2013

You should break your post up into two. One for the couple one for the grad.

2, 3, 6, 7 and 10 work the best. On 7 clone out that picnic bench and you are gold.

snowbear · May 26, 2013

I really like #6. I find the foreground in #3 to be very distracting. For the grad, I prefer #7 and #10. The last one is a neat idea, but that bunch of grass that looks like it's attached to his nose really kills it for me.

R3d · May 26, 2013

Thanks for the input!

Trever1t · May 26, 2013

Holy purple trees!

Agree, I see a couple's shoot and a Grad shoot. Both are decent. A bit heavy on the vignette effect, I think that might have been better with a bit less?

R3d · May 27, 2013

Yes, that is what you see - it's what I posted.

I'm not seeing the vignetting you're talking about.

ktan7 · May 27, 2013

Love the colours in your photo. BW#2 is the one that I like the most.

tedfoto · May 27, 2013

#1 - Purple trees! Wow, thought that was some fancy post-work for a minute. There postures are quite awkward, but if that brings up a happy/funny memory of whatever you were having them do, more power to ya. Nice exposure, composition.

#2 - Very nice. Did you do this in post, or were you actually shooting through something? I like the decision to go b&w for candid/faux-candid.

#3 - Very bold. The purple is very bright/hot, and sort of flat. I like the angle you shot them from, nice composition.

#4 - I like this idea a lot. The way you posed them is great. I wonder if the shot could have been more effective if shot straight on from the front (using the brick, windows as graphic elements, in a way?)

#5 - I like the creative angle, composition, exposure, the bright colors in the back are interesting without being too distracting. The posing and their expressions could be a little more relaxed though...it appears to be a candid shot, but he looks like he's having trouble walking straight, and their expressions seem somber.

#6 - This one is one of my favorites. The colors really pop, I don't think they're too bright though some might disagree. The couple looks 'in the moment' and happy. Lovely shot.

#7 - Good exposure, nice color, especially the red. The daylight is fantastic on his skin. I think you got a little too creative with the composition here, though. Sometimes dead center is all you need. The rule of thirds isn't always the solution. Personally, I would have cropped him dead center, maybe even vertically, and left out that picnic table which keeps pulling my eye away.

#8 - Nice. Interesting look, the cap and gown over t-shirt and jeans. Nice work with the background.

#9 - I like this one a lot. The b&w works nicely, you have nice shallow DoF, good tones on the face. You could have been a little more generous with the editing on his skin, though...his blemishes are quite noticeable, particularly the ones on his forehead. The cheeks might be birthmarks; I wouldn't change them if so.

#10 - Very nice. The skin tones are almost too hot, but I think you're good. It really pops and creates a nice effect with that fun outfit. Here I think the rule of thirds worked out nicely for you.

#11 - I like this idea. His posing is great, I like the environment you put him in. The tilt doesn't hurt, but I don't know if it really helps. I may have cropped in a little tighter so we can see more of him.

#12 - Grass in the teeth. Aaaaah!

Great job, keep it up, you can only get better and better. I'm sure these kids were happy with their shots.

Take care!

R3d · May 27, 2013

For #2 I was shooting through the trees and using them to frame the couple. I didn't even think to any work on blemishes. I'll be sure to remember that for next time.

Thanks for your input!

And yes, they were very happy with their shots, and I was just as happy to have some guinea pigs!