Trying again... drumroll...

Agnes · Mar 29, 2011

I think I actually did it! Here are some pics of a recent couple shoot, would love your input!

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Bitter Jeweler · Mar 29, 2011

Number your pics, it helps for reference.
Having said that, I :heart: :heart: :heart: the image soon to be known as number 3.
It looks like you have a good eye for composition. Jus polish it up.

In the images soon to be known as 1 and 4, you could use just a little more space above the head(s).

Agnes · Mar 29, 2011

Thanks, could you expand on 'polish it up'?

I cropped those images where I did because there were distracting elements above, I guess maybe I could have cloned them out instead of cropping them out.

Bitter Jeweler · Mar 29, 2011

"polish up" = learn more about, get better at.

Bitter Jeweler · Mar 29, 2011

There are thing you can do, in planned shots, to get the shot you want.
Th firs one would require you to get higher in some way. A ladder, stand on a car... But that is often needed to take that OK shot, that isn't quite right and mak it fantastic. You need to think about things like with the fourth, where she is looking up, but we have tons of space in the bottom of the image.

Agnes · Mar 29, 2011

Gotcha, now you point it out, it is kinda obvious

Davor · Mar 30, 2011

I also love this number 3, the composition is wonderful and great use of natural light. Your first picture i feel is too soft and i think you went overboard with that in your pp, it makes them look out of focus.
Number 3 has potential, and one of its downfalls i think is the reflection on the door makes a distraction. And for the last one i don't know if i would have left so much leg room but not enough head room so maybe a portrait orientation would have worked here.

Keep it up! :thumbup:

Agnes · Mar 30, 2011

Thanks Davor, one of the questions on my mind right now, is actually getting the sharpening right? How do you know where the sweet spot is for a portrait.

mwcfarms · Mar 30, 2011

Agnes said:
Thanks Davor, one of the questions on my mind right now, is actually getting the sharpening right? How do you know where the sweet spot is for a portrait.

Great set, confused about this comment though. Portrait orientation just means putting the camera vertical rather than horizontal. Thats what Davor meant above. Always focus on the eyes when your shooting. Unless you have an artistic reason on why not too.

Agnes · Mar 30, 2011

I was referring to his comment about my first picture being soft.

Agnes · Mar 30, 2011

Oh, now I see your confusion, I know that portrait can refer to the orientation of a picture, but when I used that word I was just meaning 'a picture of a person.' I have read that you do not want to sharpen in pp a portrait (picture of a person), as much as you might another subject, and I am wondering what is a good amount. I always sharpen, but sometimes I wonder if it's too much. It always looks fine on the screen, but then when it is printed it looks too much. That is my question. Thanks

mwcfarms · Mar 30, 2011

I sharpen everything, portraits and landscapes. Some software automatically sharpens for the 25% that is lost when taking the actual picture. I believe LR3 does this. The amount that you sharpen and the output will vary and thats when you vary your levels. So for print vs web display. There are great articles out there on what to start at and when to use what.

I believe if you search on the Forum Keith / aka KmH has put up some valuable articles book referals.

DiskoJoe · Apr 5, 2011

Few comments:

1. bad framing - their heads are to close to the top of the photo. take actual photo framing into consideration for portraits. these will be framed and on display so leave some space for possible over lapping of the frame they may use. plus focus is soft and image is slightly overexposed. sot good when dealing with light skinned folk.

2. like this shot. good colors and textures but overexposed once again. dont be afraid of some shadows in the image.

3. you captured a good moment but focus is soft again.

4. hate this straight ahead angle. some from the side where the fountain/pool is on an angle would have been nicer. framing has issues like image 1 and is also overexposed.

of all the shots 2 is definitely the best. i love how she is staring at the camera and he is staring at her. I can feel his love for her. it is genuine and real. very hard to find and very hard to capture. plus the red door with the blue shirt and jacket gives a great contrast.