Some portraits I took for family, critique welcome.

[TheUndisputed]

Critique wanted. Other than camera angle. These were taken using a tripod that said it was level and obviously wasn't.

 

[a1157814a]

their good but i dont like how it's dark shaded on the edges. i think family photos like those should be brighten more

 

[Sarah23]

Im not crazy about the dark vignette. I think its making them look darker then they should.

Other then that I think they look pretty good. I might do a little curves boost to brighten them up a tad.

 

[Ziffy]

I like the darkened edges, it frames the family members well. Preference I suppose.

 

[Mgw189]

Tighter crops for 1 and 2 . You can fix the tilt with photoshop. I dont know if the dark areas were PP if so lose them. They are not enhancing the photos in any way.

 

[TheUndisputed]

Thanks for all of the comments guys. The vignettes were not added in editing. I shot this series using 2 JTL J-160 Strobes with halogen headlamps fixed with snoots for light direction. Each one were set in the back left and right corners of the room to create a "spotlight" effect on the subjects. I do see where you all are coming from, though. Too much contrast, and the vignettes actually take away from the image.

Next time I shoot portraits I will make the light scale more evenly across the plane.

Any other suggestions?

 

[kundalini]

The first thing I noticed was the mantle slicing through your subjects.

Secondly was how busy the background is, making my eyes more interested in the cards, knick-knacks and the stockings. A better approach IMO would be to open the aperture and have your subjects move ~6 feet from the back ground, if possible. This would help blur the background and your subjects would pop and decidedly be the subject of the image. I will refrain from commenting on his jacket.

I'm not too bothered by the applied vignetting, but do agree with others that they needs to be brightened some.