Portrait Session

tr0gd0o0r · Nov 11, 2004

I'm taking senior photos for one of my friends, and after attempting a shoot in a nearby bamboo forest (not nearly enough light) we went ot a local dam and I got these shots. What do you guys think? Any tips? cuz i'm sure i'm gonna have several more sessions w/ her.

deb · Nov 11, 2004

The shots seem underexposed and out of focus to me. May I try to lighten one up and repost?

tr0gd0o0r · Nov 11, 2004

That's what I was afraid of. I wasn't positive if the exposure was my monitor or not tho. And the focus, i've been having problems wiht that for a while. After this shoot, i decided i think its the lens I'm using. I'm gonna start using a differnet one to test out that hypothesis.

deb · Nov 11, 2004

Here's a corrected version (I'll remove this if you wish). It's based on my best guess of what the colors might have been.

Alison · Nov 11, 2004

I'm with Deb on the colors and focus. But, composition wise I think you're onto a good start. I really like the 3rd one down. I also think you're doing a great job getting a natural looking expression and smile, which can be one of the hardest things to do in portrait work.

Nikon Fan · Nov 11, 2004

I agree with Alison about the composition. I especially like the third as well. Just get the colors and focus and you'll have some great shots!!!

mentos_007 · Nov 11, 2004

use flash!!! those shots look as if they were done without it! and practise a bit with focus... for example on the second shot... she is unsharp...

Uselessdreamer1 · Nov 11, 2004

thats very good pics i think, but 3 one is the best. i agree with deb,and u do need to use flash! ::shakes finger::

manda · Nov 11, 2004

i kinda like the etheral quality they have in the low light but they do need a bit more yes..
the composition is really good.

JonMikal · Nov 11, 2004

i would use a flash but only in rear mode so you allow existing light to help balance. just me 2 cents.

Not Neve · Nov 12, 2004

How fun!

I like 2 (composition and feel but needs a little something) & 5.

Personally, I don't like the pose in 3. It looks very unnatural (as in "i have to keep my left hand here or I'll fall over").

isheahan · Nov 12, 2004

#2 is AWESOME (if you can just fix that focus as you said)!!! Your composition is right on target, just lighting and focus... dito everyone else's comments...

Digital Matt · Nov 12, 2004

Are you manually focusing? #2 looks as though you were focused a tiny bit in front of her. The stone looks in focus. You have to be very careful when you have that narrow of a dof.

tr0gd0o0r · Nov 12, 2004

I think that the lighting problems are more just me being stupid and underexposing on accident instead of needing a flash. I'll definitly have it with me tho just in case. I way also a little irritated w/ my flash because we had just left another location with not nearly enough light, and I could not find a way to get the background lit well enough to show up and still have her lit well. (I was using my external flash in wireless mode for backlight and built in for key)

As far as focus goes, I was using a 135mm lens that i got off of ebay for cheap, that i've been having problems focusing with. From now on i'm gonna go w/ my pentax lens in auto-focus. Luckily, she wants to go back to this same location (and I can use the excuse that I was rushed).