Photoshoot of a couple

schumionbike · Nov 16, 2009

So here is the story, my friend, Ju, and fiance are studying in America together. They became engage shortly before they leave for America. Youngmi Master program is only a two year program so she has to return to Korea before Ju as he is fininishing up his law degree. Ju asked me to take some them pictures for them to before Youngmi leave for Korea since this would be the last time they're in America together. This was not a paid session or anything but I would still like some CC from you guys. The hardest thing in portrait is probably getting everyone comfortable and pose them well, I wasn't prepapre for that at all. lol.

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7. Probably could've done better with a reflector but I didn't have one with me so I just use my pop flash to fill the shadow.

Rifleman1776 · Nov 16, 2009

To be truthful, they don't act like a couple. Might be a cultural thing, I dunno. But they should be looking at each other. He seems to be pulling away and/or looking away from her.
Losing the shades would help some.
I just don't get the warm, fuzzies from these.
I wouldn't want anything like these in my memory album.
Technically, your photography is alright.

MikeBookPro · Nov 16, 2009

The prettiest light is by far the location of #4, although the photo doesn't do much for me. I would have focused on that location, however, since the sunglasses aren't necessary and hot spots aren't an issue in that photo.

Monica Fermin · Nov 16, 2009

I'm new too, but is that your shadow on her in #2?

Dominantly · Nov 16, 2009

#1 Not sure about the composition, you have left room to the right but there is nothing of visual interest over there. You also have a hot spot on his face from the flash I would imagine.
#2 good lighting, but where are they looking? Something cool over there? If so I want to see... Maybe try a bring the DOF in and isolate them.
#3 They're being dwarfed by the fireplace. Maybe bring it in closer and have some of the cool stone work in there.
#4 cool. I would have like to have seen more of her face. Maybe a couple paces to the left to get ahead of them.
#5Best shot
#6 I get the idea, but it doesnt work here IMHO.

chip · Nov 17, 2009

nicely done! and Rifleman1776 believe me, they are a couple and it IS a cultural thing. She did look at him in 2 of the shots. Don't expect people from other parts of the world to act like Americans.

mgstudio99 · Nov 17, 2009

not bad, I like your Pic number 6..

looking forward to more of your post...

cheers

schumionbike · Nov 17, 2009

Thanks for the comments guys. Regarding the composition in #1, I just wanted to document the place where they had call home for the last couple of years and this is most likely the last time they live together in America. They'll probably go vacation here later in life though. Regarding the posing, I wasn't sure how to go about it because I am not exactly sure how comfortable they were as I realized that Asian culture tend to be allergic to PDA so I didn't want to embarass (sp) them or anything.

schumionbike · Nov 17, 2009

Dominantly said:
#1 Not sure about the composition, you have left room to the right but there is nothing of visual interest over there. You also have a hot spot on his face from the flash I would imagine.
#2 good lighting, but where are they looking? Something cool over there? If so I want to see... Maybe try a bring the DOF in and isolate them.
#3 They're being dwarfed by the fireplace. Maybe bring it in closer and have some of the cool stone work in there.
#4 cool. I would have like to have seen more of her face. Maybe a couple paces to the left to get ahead of them.
#5Best shot
#6 I get the idea, but it doesnt work here IMHO.

That's some very detail CC, thanks so much!! Help me out alot!

kkamin · Nov 27, 2009

To me they feel like they are in between snap shots and a portrait session. The lighting and shadows are very uncontrolled, except in #4. I think you have too much in focus, and the backgrounds in #1,#2,#3,#5 are distracting and competing with the subjects. They don't feel like environmental portraits, there isn't anything particularily interesting to me about a parking lot or that park. I am assuming you are shooting with an APS-C, so maybe next time stop the camera down further, use a longer lens, and get them distanced from the busy backgrounds. I think the posing is decent. But again I think you need to work on controlling the lighting (shooting different times of day, fill flash, diffusers), making the backgrounds less prominent unless they really add or support the subjects, and get a more flattering, shallow depth of field for the medium shots.