Noobie to TPF & this forum.

AmazingGrace0385 · Mar 18, 2011

So I'm new to TPF and this forum. I've been a part of another website forum for a while, but wanted to expand my horizons.

Here is some of my recent shots. C&C is ALWAYS welcome, I am an aspiring photographer just starting out, portfolio building, and am still learning! These are some free senior photos I did for a lady at work - her twins.

This was also with my old kit lens... Canon EF-S 18-55 f3.5-5.6... The last three I took at the aquarium with my new Tamron lens.

KmH · Mar 18, 2011

It's helpful for C&C if you post no more than 2 images. The more photos you post the more general (and less useful) C&C becomes. Also if you post more than 3 photos, please number them because it makes it easier for people to comment.

I hope you don't mind straight forward honesty, but I think that is more valuable than blowing smoke up someones backside.

In general the lighting of the senior shots is quite flat, poorly separating the seniors from the backgrounds (no 'pop'). The composition of the senior shots is a bit to centered and your use of negative space is ineffective. In every shot they have 'raccoon eyes' (dark eye sockets).
The 'raccoon eyes' indicates the Sun was to high in the sky (bad time of day to shoot outdoor portraits) but using fill light would not only get light into their eye sockets but would also provide that missing separation from the backgrounds (pop).
Because it was an overcast day a reflector would not have provided sufficient light for fill and separation purposes but off camera strobed lighting would have.

The poses are also pretty weak (sloppy). Here are some resources that can help you learn how to pose:

Doug Box's Guide to Posing for Portrait Photographers

The Art of Posing: Techniques for Digital Portrait Photographers (Pro Photo Workshop)

Posing for Portrait Photography: A Head-to-Toe Guide

Jeff Smith's Senior Portrait Photography Handbook: A Guide for Professional Digital Photographers

Master Guide for Photographing High School Seniors

bennielou · Mar 18, 2011

I agree with KmH. There is a lot of problems with the first shots, which have been mentioned. I enjoyed your underwater shots though.

DogGoneGood · Mar 18, 2011

There's an eagle flying out of that boy's manly area in #5. :lol:

cnutco · Mar 18, 2011

Welcome! What part of GA?

AmazingGrace0385 · Mar 18, 2011

Middle GA! And thanks for the feedback everyone, it is appreciated!

I appreciate the links to posing resources, I've been looking for some good ones.

AmazingGrace0385 · Mar 18, 2011

LMAO DogGoneGood!

thierry · Mar 19, 2011

underwater shots are okay.. too much wrong with other shots as stated above

Miladymimi · Mar 19, 2011

Welcome fellow Georgian

, this is a very good place to learn. Lots of folks willing to share valuable knowledge. I really like the aquarium shots.

raphaelaaron · Mar 19, 2011

Aside from what has already been stated, see if you can use your new Tamron next time, and ditch the kit lens. If you plan on taking more portraits, you need something that can produce good results (especially like separation from background). I would also suggest getting a prime lens for portraits.

On the portraits, standing and pointing down on a subject is very boring. Only if you are actually showing a great height from above can you do that (something artsy).
If you take a picture of someone and want to add some kick to the image, get on the same angle as them, bend your knee.

KKJUN · Mar 19, 2011

great watermark!

KmH · Mar 19, 2011

I thought the watermark is way to busy, way to big and distracting for the photos posted.

AmazingGrace0385 · Mar 19, 2011

The kit lens is GONE. I just haven't done a shoot (other than the aquarium and my kids) with the Tamron to share yet. I have a 50mm prime lens (f1.8). I'm still not used to it, but am going to start using it more to get some practice.

vtf · Mar 19, 2011

AmazingGrace0385 said:
The kit lens is GONE. I just haven't done a shoot (other than the aquarium and my kids) with the Tamron to share yet. I have a 50mm prime lens (f1.8). I'm still not used to it, but am going to start using it more to get some practice.

Your 50mm will be a great portrait lens. Try it between f4 to f6 starting out. The focus is so narrow at 1.8 that you will have alot of difficulty at first. But at f4-6 its crystal clear. Good luck. :thumbup:

RockstarPhotography · Mar 20, 2011

KmH pretty much nailed it. With this forum you won't get smoke blown up the a$$. You will get the criticism you deserve. The senior shots really look like something somebody who just got their first dslr would do. They are badly composed and badly posed. The lighting is non existent and cast shadows into the eyes. These are "snapshot" type photos. First and foremost, I think you need to learn how to properly compose your subjects into the photo, and learn lighting. #3 should have been a big delete, she looks like shes trying to pass a large #2. Do some research and learn. If you have the heart and desire, you can improve. I'm looking foreword to seeing some more posts from you.