Some Feedback

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

Hi everyone. I was hoping I could get some feedback on some images. I am working hard to advance my skills and would love some feedback and critique on one or some of these. Or maybe the cohesive set of them. How can they be better?? It was my first time photographing children other than my own. Thanks so much..... (Sorry if this is in the wrong forum!) All shot with nikon d600 and 85 1.4g.
1. f2.5 1/800 iso 250

2. f 2.5 1/400 iso 800

3. f 2.2 1/400 Iso 800

4. f 2.8 1/1000 ISO 2000

5. f2.5 1/4000 iso 1600 (I dont know why... must have forgotten to change settings.)

tirediron · Oct 24, 2013

C&C per req:

Overall, a nice set, good exposure and WB. I would avoid placing the subject(s) either in the centre of the frame or leaving quite so much empty space on one side. I would try and incorporate either a reflector or OCF into images like these, just to get a bit more life in the eyes. They're not bad, but a nice catchlight and a bit more light would really take them up a notch.

Just my $00.02 worth, your mileage may vary.

~John

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

Thank you so much John. I haven't learned yet how to use a flash, but adding it to my list. I appreciate your reply and comments!

Vettahead · Oct 24, 2013

These are super mate. Really good, you can always add the catch lights in photoshop if you wanted It's quite easy to do.

That said I live them how they are really nice and natural

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

Thank you!!!

deeky · Oct 24, 2013

Use a lens hood if your aren't or figure out how to flag the front element of the lens. The sun glare in the upper right of each shot I find quite distracting. Otherwise very nice.

frommrstomommy · Oct 24, 2013

I think they're very lovely. #3 and the last image I'd have probably shot in portrait orientation though, instead of the horizontal as you have them I think. Turn your camera! Will give some variation.

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

Thanks everyone! I actually added the haze in the right of the images in PP! Lol. Maybe that's not working for me. Haha! And thanks for the suggestion to turn vertical. I will experiment with that too.

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

deeky said:
Use a lens hood if your aren't or figure out how to flag the front element of the lens. The sun glare in the upper right of each shot I find quite distracting. Otherwise very nice.

Thanks everyone! I actually added the haze in the right of the images in PP! Lol. Maybe that's not working for me. Haha! And thanks for the suggestion to turn vertical. I will experiment with that too.

frommrstomommy · Oct 24, 2013

quick crops..

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

frommrstomommy said:
quick crops.. <img src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=58813"/><img src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=58814"/>

Oh! I like that! Especially the one of her in the field. I will try portrait orientation, and get closer obviously. Thanks so much!

frommrstomommy · Oct 24, 2013

The one of them together, I'd have liked a step back so you could still have the scene, but have it vertical like that.. maybe one up close, one further away. The one in the field the problem was you had her looking out of the frame over there on the right. I'm certainly still VERY VERY much learning myself, but I try to give myself options when I'm out shooting.. step back, step forward, closeups, ones with the full "scene" in view for variation. I had a hard time at first with SO many of my shots being too repetitive and I like to think making a mental note to do this has really helped me.

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

frommrstomommy said:
The one of them together, I'd have liked a step back so you could still have the scene, but have it vertical like that.. maybe one up close, one further away. The one in the field the problem was you had her looking out of the frame over there on the right. I'm certainly still VERY VERY much learning myself, but I try to give myself options when I'm out shooting.. step back, step forward, closeups, ones with the full "scene" in view for variation. I had a hard time at first with SO many of my shots being too repetitive and I like to think making a mental note to do this has really helped me.

That's great advice. Thank you. I was so set in using a low aperature because I LOVE the blurry background so I limited myself there. I have another family to practice on this weekend, so I am going to give your suggestions a go! Thank you so much.

vintagesnaps · Oct 24, 2013

Why add haze?? If it doesn't enhance the photos (which I don't really think it does) why have it in your pictures? You have some nice color and backgrounds, and in the cropped images I think really too much of that lovely background is lost. I like the last one, it just seems to be more background than you need, but her smiling is wonderful, you just probably needed to be in somewhat closer. And in the third one I like using the trees to frame the girls but I agree it would probably look better if they weren't centered.

It would help to get the kids looking at you, or like in #2 catch the younger one when she doesn't look like she's leaning away, and try to get a better facial expression. It's about the timing and catching just the right moment (which I think takes practice).

An aperture isn't lower, it's larger or smaller. I think that's a term used a lot online that isn't accurate. A professional photographer should know that, or if someone is still learning I think knowing/learning the basics and the correct terminology is part of doing professional work.

laurenivy · Oct 24, 2013

vintagesnaps said:
Why add haze?? If it doesn't enhance the photos (which I don't really think it does) why have it in your pictures? You have some nice color and backgrounds, and in the cropped images I think really too much of that lovely background is lost. I like the last one, it just seems to be more background than you need, but her smiling is wonderful, you just probably needed to be in somewhat closer. And in the third one I like using the trees to frame the girls but I agree it would probably look better if they weren't centered.

It would help to get the kids looking at you, or like in #2 catch the younger one when she doesn't look like she's leaning away, and try to get a better facial expression. It's about the timing and catching just the right moment (which I think takes practice).

An aperture isn't lower, it's larger or smaller. I think that's a term used a lot online that isn't accurate. A professional photographer should know that, or if someone is still learning I think knowing/learning the basics and the correct terminology is part of doing professional work.

Thank you so much. I just love the look of haze for some reason, and I don't know why I am adding it other than that. It doesnt really go, huh? Thanks for your critique. I agree I was having a heck of a time getting them to sit together. Composition is one thing I would like to improve upon.