Which one do you like better

[Hardrock]

Im going to disagree with everyone else and say the second one. The flash on the second is definitely a little hot but over all I like it better. Plus on the first one the color looks off it may need to be warmed up a bit.

edit: I do like the boys expression in the first better though.

 

[Robin Usagani]

LOL.. nice.. I need to adjust them on LR again maybe Ill get similar effect.

 

[Robin Usagani]

When I posted my first portrait photos, people kept telling me my background sucked because it was all blown. Now maybe I took the CC a little too much LOL. I will learn off camera flash and use ambient light a little more.

Im going to disagree with everyone else and say the second one. The flash on the second is definitely a little hot but over all I like it better. Plus on the first one the color looks off it may need to be warmed up a bit.

 

[Whootsinator]

Just remember direct flash is bad. If you have to ask if direct flash is bad in any scenario, direct flash is bad. You will know when direct flash is appropriate, if it is. Grab a diffusor, bounce the flash off of something, whatever you need to do.

 

[MohaimenK]

Just remember direct flash is bad. If you have to ask if direct flash is bad in any scenario, direct flash is bad. You will know when direct flash is appropriate, if it is. Grab a diffusor, bounce the flash off of something, whatever you need to do.

+ hold it at an angle so it represents sunlight. Hold it above so it doesn't look like the sun is right infront of your face :thumbup:

 

[jackiejay]

I like one better

 

[Robin Usagani]

I showed both and the client didnt like either settings (not looking at how they look of course). Good thing I took a lot of photos. She is still pleased with the results though.

 

[gsgary]

Wow i can hardly tell you used a flash NOT, both need deleteing and re shooting

 

[oldmacman]

I showed both and the client didnt like either settings (not looking at how they look of course). Good thing I took a lot of photos. She is still pleased with the results though.

Why aren't you taking advantage of the 2.8 you have. People have already noted that they are not really fond of either shot. Here are a couple other things to keep in mind:
- the mom is obviously wrestling with her child
- the tree branch?
- blur would help simplify the background
- there isn't anything about the pose that removes it from the realm of snapshot.
- at least you can work with the flash shot. With the CA in number 1, there is no saving the sky.

Here's a quick edit to help:

 

[Derrel]

GOOD edit oldmacman!!! Shooting this with a shallow depth of field look would have been nice. That's where the FF cameras really help, at getting subject/background isolation on people shots. A medium format camera with a 150mm lens would have made this shot look about like your edit at f/4.5, right out of the camera...and its leaf shutter would have been able to synch with the flash at 1/500 second to do it too...

 

[humpty]

The very first one is very natural, a bit bland but the white really fits the mood.
The second one, well I think there's already consensus on that it looks a bit artificial.
I don't think you should sharpen no.1, it makes them look 'keyed' on the background.
The subjects don't need emphasizing, it's obvious they are center of attention.
I like no.1 just the way it is.

 

[ghache]

on the first one. I would decrease the exposure a bit on the whole picture and i would decreasae it a little bit more on the sky to bring back a little bit more blue.

 

[Tasmaster]

I'll go with the second. I can see what the others are saying, how the first one might look more natural if you try to analyse it in terms of lighting. However, they both have artificial lighting so they both look artificial, but the second one is a lot closer to how the human eye (and brain) would record that particular scene live as far as colors are concerned. Skin tones are also warmer, more pleasing, and more natural than the pale white of the first photo. Maybe not spot-on, but a lot better.

The sky, the grass, trees, and the people - the main subject - all look a lot more natural in the second photo, even if the key light is a bit more prominent.

And as far as first impressions matter, the second one stands out more