Please: Who do I improve?

[dinamaria]

Two pic was taken in direct sunlight at suns highest point. There were no trees and we were stuck at that time of day. I tried different angles, but faces were too shaded. In hindsight I should have staggered them more? I really want to improve. I love photography. I see it as an art but I would like to take the next step and turn my passion into a business. I would love your honest critique. If nothing else I will be able to learn from my failures and improve. Unfortunately, some of my favorites I did not upload as I will have to decrease their sizes first. Thank you!

 

[DiskoJoe]

So you decided to master the art of the watermark before the art of photography. I hear thats the best way to go

 

[amolitor]

Look at photographs that you like, very very carefully.

Note how the light falls, and ask yourself "where must the light have been coming from?"

Note how the shadows look, are they soft-edged or sharp-edged? There are techniques for producing various sharpnesses of shadows.

Note how the colors look. Are the punchy, or muted? Are they warmer or cooler (red/yellow/orange or blue/purple)?

Note the contrast range and "black point" which is basically nothing more than "how dark are the darkest parts, how bright are the brightest parts, and are there lots of middle tones or is is mostly darks and brights?"

You're getting stuff in focus, and your framing is pretty ok, although you do tend to get too close and crop stuff off. So note how other photographs, ones that you like, are framed.

Starting a business is hard, and is mostly about "business" and not very much about "photography", so, there's that.

Also, ignore the yahoos who ***** about your watermarks without giving you any useful feedback.

 

[pixmedic1 1]

Ive never understood why people feel it necessary to watermark photos they post here. Are people afraid they are so scary good they will get stolen? Because that is typically not the case. I love that people learn how to watermark a photo before they learn to properly expose it.

Dont be afraid to use a flash even in direct sunlight. You can control shadows and get better color balance.

 

[kathyt]

I don't ever shoot in direct sunlight in the middle of the day. You are just asking for trouble there. My favorite time to shoot is about 2 hours before sunset. You can always seek out some shaded areas and then use a reflector to bounce in some additional light if needed, but I would stay away from super harsh sun times. Earlier in the morning can also work nice too. I really like your dock and flag shots. Keep practicing though, you will continue to see what light best flatters your subjects.

 

[kathyt]

Ive never understood why people feel it necessary to watermark photos they post here. Are people afraid they are so scary good they will get stolen? Because that is typically not the case. I love that people learn how to watermark a photo before they learn to properly expose it.

Dont be afraid to use a flash even in direct sunlight. You can control shadows and get better color balance.

I know Popular Photographer magazine has had their eye on me for a long time now, so I am going to start watermarking through my subjects faces just to be on the safe side!

 

[dinamaria]

Thank you amolitor. Your information helps a lot. I did sign up for some courses on lighting and such which I think will help me a lot. I forgot about the watermarks. I added them when I posted them on facebook, sorry about that. I do prefer warmer colors and recently adjusted my camera for that (recently). Thank you again for your constructive criticism. I want to learn without losing the passion for it and this type of information helps!

 

[PhillipM]

Learn to master light, and not let light be your master.

 

[dinamaria]

Thank you pixmedic and diskojoe for being rude. I did not watermark them for this site. They were because I posted them on facebook. I did not ask for arrogance but at least it keeps me on my toes.

 

[dinamaria]

Thank you. Yeah it was not the best time of day. We were visiting in-laws for thanksgiving and they wanted to get their photos before sitting down for dinner. I knew it was a mistake as I was taking them, but we only see them a couple times of year and it made them happy.

I don't ever shoot in direct sunlight in the middle of the day. You are just asking for trouble there. My favorite time to shoot is about 2 hours before sunset. You can always seek out some shaded areas and then use a reflector to bounce in some additional light if needed, but I would stay away from super harsh sun times. Earlier in the morning can also work nice too. I really like your dock and flag shots. Keep practicing though, you will continue to see what light best flatters your subjects.

 

[kathyt]

Thank you. Yeah it was not the best time of day. We were visiting in-laws for thanksgiving and they wanted to get their photos before sitting down for dinner. I knew it was a mistake as I was taking them, but we only see them a couple times of year and it made them happy.

I don't ever shoot in direct sunlight in the middle of the day. You are just asking for trouble there. My favorite time to shoot is about 2 hours before sunset. You can always seek out some shaded areas and then use a reflector to bounce in some additional light if needed, but I would stay away from super harsh sun times. Earlier in the morning can also work nice too. I really like your dock and flag shots. Keep practicing though, you will continue to see what light best flatters your subjects.

I know how that goes. Friends and relatives never understand this. If that happens again you can buy a cheap scrim or even just a larger tree would work too to try to diffuse the light as much as possible.

 

[pixmedic1 1]

Thank you pixmedic and diskojoe for being rude. I did not watermark them for this site. They were because I posted them on facebook. I did not ask for arrogance but at least it keeps me on my toes.

Your welcome. Next one i charge for though. I wouldnt watermark for facebook either. Kinda silly. Its not arrogant, simply an opinion. Just because someone disagrees with it doesnt make it any less an opinion. Or a popular one around here.

 

[Light Guru]

So you decided to master the art of the watermark before the art of photography. I hear thats the best way to go

Best comment ever!

 

[dinamaria]

Learn to master light, and not let light be your master.

Like your quote...printing it out and hanging it up

 

[kathyt]

Thank you pixmedic and diskojoe for being rude. I did not watermark them for this site. They were because I posted them on facebook. I did not ask for arrogance but at least it keeps me on my toes.

Your welcome. Next one i charge for though. I wouldnt watermark for facebook either. Kinda silly. Its not arrogant, simply an opinion. Just because someone disagrees with it doesnt make it any less an opinion. Or a popular one around here.

Pixmedic, why wouldn't you use your logo on your images on FB if you were in business? No image of mine would ever go on FB w/o my logo. FB has been my best source of marketing, besides referrals, to date. You want people to know who took the images, so they need to have your logo on them. I don't use my logo on this forum, but when it comes to my direct market it will have my logo on it for sure.