Recent "mini" shoot

[Postman158]

I shot some pictures for some friends in my ministry that head up the Women's ministry side. I did some group photos, and some individual for their website. It was sort of just a fun shoot, free of charge... because I don't charge yet haha.

1. What I personally like about this image is that it was candid, sort of between poses.

2.

I could use some constructive criticism! I'm always looking to improve.

 

[ghache]

this is 2 nice shot, i really like the second one.

 

[kundalini]

1. What I personally like about this image is that it was candid, sort of between poses.

I'll go with that and you're absolutely right. There is a great interaction with the subjects. however, IMO you post processing is a bit heavy handed. Most notable is the lack of detail in the shadows. The highlights seem to be pushed too far. I don't want to come off as pretentious, but this image, with it's heavy processing, appears to be an attempt to resurrect the dead as a result of a poorly exposed image.

I understand the appeal of the second image for some folk. 255 is not good, especially when it constitutes 25% of the image.

 

[Postman158]

Thanks guys, greatly appreciated by both of you! I understand what you're saying, Kundalini. But what are you talking about 255?

 

[tirediron]

'255' indicates pure, featureless white.

 

[cgipson1]

#1 I like the shot! I don't like the processing you did.. that would be a cute candid except for that. Makes it look like a bad Iphone photo. Picking up way too much green from the grass. Maybe even B&W would look really good. Some fill flash here would have helped to cut some of the dark shadows on their faces also (not take them away.. just lighten them).

#2 nice shot, pretty girl, but the background is way blown, even for a backlit shot. Enough to where it is throwing some hazing / flare on her hair up by her left eye, and it looks unbalanced because of that. A little fill flash goes a long way on shots like this. Was it this blown before you processed it? I think a tight portrait crop on this photo would help.. takes away most of the distracting blown background.

 

[Postman158]

#1 I like the shot! I don't like the processing you did.. that would be a cute candid except for that. Makes it look like a bad Iphone photo. Picking up way too much green from the grass. Maybe even B&W would look really good. Some fill flash here would have helped to cut some of the dark shadows on their faces also (not take them away.. just lighten them).

#2 nice shot, pretty girl, but the background is way blown, even for a backlit shot. Enough to where it is throwing some hazing / flare on her hair up by her left eye, and it looks unbalanced because of that. A little fill flash goes a long way on shots like this. Was it this blown before you processed it? I think a tight portrait crop on this photo would help.. takes away most of the distracting blown background.

Thanks! On number 2, I didn't crop, thats the original frame. As for filling, I should definitely try a fill flash next time, I have the right equipment. I went ahead and used a reflector for this shot, cause it was sort of an alley way of plants and trees. I appreciate your input!

 

[cgipson1]

#1 I like the shot! I don't like the processing you did.. that would be a cute candid except for that. Makes it look like a bad Iphone photo. Picking up way too much green from the grass. Maybe even B&W would look really good. Some fill flash here would have helped to cut some of the dark shadows on their faces also (not take them away.. just lighten them).

#2 nice shot, pretty girl, but the background is way blown, even for a backlit shot. Enough to where it is throwing some hazing / flare on her hair up by her left eye, and it looks unbalanced because of that. A little fill flash goes a long way on shots like this. Was it this blown before you processed it? I think a tight portrait crop on this photo would help.. takes away most of the distracting blown background.

Thanks! On number 2, I didn't crop, thats the original frame. As for filling, I should definitely try a fill flash next time, I have the right equipment. I went ahead and used a reflector for this shot, cause it was sort of an alley way of plants and trees. I appreciate your input!

Sure.. no problem! I still think you should try a tight portrait crop on #2... it really does help! I would use a reflector also, with the flash... to help maintain some tonal difference on each side of her face for definition. The fill would just allow you to underexpose the sky a little bit so you don't lose all of the detail...

 

[KAikens318]

It didn't say whether it was okay or not to edit your photos, so I played with the first a little. If you want me to take it down just let me know!

 

[cgipson1]

It didn't say whether it was okay or not to edit your photos, so I played with the first a little. If you want me to take it down just let me know!

Definitely an improvement!

 

[timbearden]

Fun images, but I agree the post processing of the first image is not that flattering. I'm just saying.

 

[Postman158]

It didn't say whether it was okay or not to edit your photos, so I played with the first a little. If you want me to take it down just let me know!

Wow, that is an improvement! Thanks so much!

 

[Postman158]

I also took this one at a different location of her:

From my point of view (unprofessional eye), I feel that her pose might be a little uncomfortable looking. Other than that, its another one of my favorites. What do you think?

 

[Postman158]

That last picture is all original lighting (sun and reflector). No post production yet.

 

[cgipson1]

sky is still blown... and her face is too dark. Obviously if you lighten her face in PP... you are going to lose even more background. Keep in mind that reflectors are great for filling in light.. but for a shot that is directly and very strongly backlit, it will be almost impossible to get an exposure on the face (with reflectors) that will also allow a decent exposure in the background. Reflectors only throw a percentage of the available light on the subject, so a reflector cannot throw enough to override the source. The light is very harsh also.. and some reflectors can throw hard shadows and highlights in this type of light if not careful.

You need someway to override the backlighting enough to where you can expose the face properly and underexpose the background (hint: Flash!) . Sometimes finding the right mix of ambient and flash can be a pain... but take a lot of them, and vary the settings a good bit until you find what you are after.

pose is a little awkward... could be better...