A couple from canada wanted me to take some pictures of them. This is just one of them, but the rest of the set is on my flickr site. www.flickr.com/lifes_a_hater

Do you have any shots that don't involve flair? I'm not a fan of any of the ones I saw on your flicker set. And the one you posted here doesn't do any favors for the either of the couple.

Matt

Too much flare. And your color balance seems to be off. You can really notice the reddish cast on her face. The sky in the upper right is also red. The color problems are probably a result of post, and should be easily fixed.

In my honest (amateur) opinion, the pose is not extremely flattering to them. It sure seems fun, and they may just love their photo, but a different pose could help avoid a few problems:

a) the clothes bunching up around the guys body draw attention to his beer gut, and whatever is in his pocket.
b) bit of an awkward angle for the lady

Of course all of the above is completely my opinion and the pros on the site may disagree with me. I checked out your flickr and even though you've only been shooting for a year, you have a real eye for things. Keep shooting!

Just hike her up farther to cover part of his stomach and it would be much better.

synthesist wrote:
Too much flare. And your color balance seems to be off. You can really notice the reddish cast on her face. The sky in the upper right is also red. The color problems are probably a result of post, and should be easily fixed.

In my honest (amateur) opinion, the pose is not extremely flattering to them. It sure seems fun, and they may just love their photo, but a different pose could help avoid a few problems:

a) the clothes bunching up around the guys body draw attention to his beer gut, and whatever is in his pocket.
b) bit of an awkward angle for the lady

Of course all of the above is completely my opinion and the pros on the site may disagree with me. I checked out your flickr and even though you've only been shooting for a year, you have a real eye for things. Keep shooting!

the color problems is due to the FM uploading thingy. it doesnt appear on my flickr site or on the original file. i also thought about the weight obstacle with the couple but i figurd i shouldnt try to hide or cover it up with shame, since the couple seemed content with their weight. thanks for the cc and ill take it all into consideration

It's not so much about covering it up, it's about not doing certain things to draw EXTRA attention to it.

Am I making the difference clear?

As far as the color problems are concerned there is a simple solution:

Most web browsers don't do a very good job with color accuracy as they're not designed to be color managed applications.

You can help reduce problems with color on the web by converting to sRGB when exporting. The Save for Web feature in Photoshop should do this for you.

pilles wrote:
Just hike her up farther to cover part of his stomach and it would be much better.

Hahaha!
I never know whether to take pilles seriously or not :S

synthesist wrote:
It's not so much about covering it up, it's about not doing certain things to draw EXTRA attention to it.

Am I making the difference clear?

As far as the color problems are concerned there is a simple solution:

Most web browsers don't do a very good job with color accuracy as they're not designed to be color managed applications.

You can help reduce problems with color on the web by converting to sRGB when exporting. The Save for Web feature in Photoshop should do this for you.

thanks. i never knew about the save for web format in photoshop.haha. i guess i still have lots to learn

I have a pdf on managing color spaces released by adobe.
It does an excellent job of explaining the whole workflow very clearly.

I can't seem to remember what computer I have it saved on however. As soon as I locate it, I'll drop you an email.

Here you go:
http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/pdfs/color_managed_raw_workflow.pdf

synthesist wrote:
I have a pdf on managing color spaces released by adobe.
It does an excellent job of explaining the whole workflow very clearly.

I can't seem to remember what computer I have it saved on however. As soon as I locate it, I'll drop you an email.
amazing link syn- ty very much. ill add this link to my favorites. you have been very helpful and i am looking forward for future shoots

synthesist wrote:
pilles wrote:
Just hike her up farther to cover part of his stomach and it would be much better.

Hahaha!
I never know whether to take pilles seriously or not :S


What about that makes you think it is funny? Sheesh!

I'm not a huge fan lens flare, but photoshopped lens flare has a look that can't be disguised. There are ways to achieve this look naturally (and forums discussing them).

With a couple like this, you may do better to get closer, more telephoto (50mm, 85mm) and avoid capturing some of their less flattering qualities. The right angle and the right focal length just as easily remove 10 lbs as quickly the wrong angle and focal length can add it.

More flare needed... Its "da bomb"...

Fantastic portrait though...

pilles wrote:
synthesist wrote:
pilles wrote:
Just hike her up farther to cover part of his stomach and it would be much better.

Hahaha!
I never know whether to take pilles seriously or not :S


What about that makes you think it is funny? Sheesh!


No he's right on that...the pose is very unflattering for him. Guys like that need a bit of extra effort to minimize the girth. Ya the OP could have posed her in front of his belly, or shot from a higher angle...or crop mid section. That pose is weak, no question.

I don't mind flare, but only when it happens naturally and isn't over-used. I think a lot of the criticisms posted so far are pretty good. Like others have said, even if they're fine with their weight I'm still sure they'd appreciate if you attempted to minimize how much of the viewers' focus it pulled.

Technical and stylistic objections aside I think you definitely captured the warmth and love they share with one another, which is the most important thing.