Please rip my first photo shoot apart.

[KmH]

The image frame is rectangular so it can be oriented in 2 ways:

and

 

[manaheim]

That was... subtle?

 

[jake337]

You've been reading books on photography for six months? What books? What have you learned from them?The main problem, I think, is the title of your thread stating photoshoot. When I think photoshoot, I think pre-planning.

 

[WesternGuy]

Not a bad start for someone's first shoot, but as others have indicated, you have quite a way to go. Watch your backgrounds, - those in 2,3, and 4 are very distracting and learn about rule of thirds and other aspects of composition. Centering in "portraits", particularly "face-on" and "profile" is not very flattering to your subject. As well, you might want to check out the use of fill-flash. It would have been useful on #3 in particular and maybe even #4 and #2.

I think that you might benefit from doing some reading on compostion and I would encourage you to surf the web, but you could start with - Advanced Composition -- Part I - there are two following web sites with the links at the end of the site. As well, have a look at this one - PhotographyComposition Articles Library as there are a number of links to sites on composition. Also, there are a number of books that have been written on composition - you might want to look at one by Bryan Peterson called Learning to See Creatively - Amazon.com: Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color& Composition in Photography (Updated Edition) (9780817441814): BryanPeterson: Books. There are lots of others.

As far as portraiture is concerned, have a look at this site and the postings on it - The Rules Of Good Portraiture .

Cheers,

WesternGuy

 

[Ms.Nash]

If I hear somebody say "bokeh" one more time....,

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Bokeh!

 

[CowgirlMama]

Bokeh!

 

[brian_f2.8]

here are my 2cents

1 your subject is directly in the middle - study rule of thirds or shoot portrait
2 there is a tree coming from the middle girls head also the girl on the right is too dark
3 underexposed
4 same as 2

 

[WhiskeyTango]

Overall, a solid effort. Not sure I could do better at this point, but here's what comes to mind for pointers:

Lighting is harsh in all of the images. For natural light shots, try to set up a time at/near dusk or dawn. Then find a spot that will limit direct light.

Subjects are centered, and in same focal plane, in all shots. Try to vary that up.

Use fill flash.

 

[tommyboy]

Watch your backgrounds as much or more than your subjects.

 

[Derrel]

Photos 1 and 3: Rotate the camera to
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L

 

[chuasam]

You tend to put your subjects smack right in the middle of the frame. This leads to too much space above the subject and a rather static composition.

 

[mikeluis]

All your responses mean a lot to me, I really appreciate all the feedback. Seems like the most common criticism is me centering my subjects. I actually know all about the rules of 1/3, but I was so overwhelmed and tense I forgot aboUt it. (the weather was a cool 32 degrees which didn't help either) I'm not making up excuses because I need to learn how to work under pressure and in all situations. Also, im seeing a lot of criticism on my backgrounds. I agree. I really don't like the woods background especially. I wanted to go somewhere else, but the girls insisted on the polluted pond. Question: Will fill flash be okay with the pop up flash? I Plan on getting a speed light eventually, but I don't have the money right now. Secondly, which focus mode should I be using on group photos? I know someone said I need a better grasp on the "exposure triangle" to understand how to take successful group photos in focus. Lastly, I didn't realize bokeh is a fad type word, I'm pretty sure it was even in one of my books! Seems like I should refrain from using bokeh :| never really liked speaking other languages anyways