These photos were taken for the Fashion page of my high school yearbook. I'm a senior, editor in chief, and photography teacher for the class. Comments would be much appreciated.

1)

First thing that comes to mind is that the light is very hard and not the most flattering light to use. If you can find a spot with shade where you don't get such hard shadows it would probably make the photos look nicer.

HappyCamp wrote:
First thing that comes to mind is that the light is very hard and not the most flattering light to use. If you can find a spot with shade where you don't get such hard shadows it would probably make the photos look nicer.

+1, or turn their backs to the sun and use a reflector for fill light.

Also - I want to add that all of the photo's seem like they were taken from slightly above the Subjects. Are you Tall? I have that problem sometimes (being 6'4) I have to stand with my legs way apart to get to eye level of my subjects.

I was also in your position many years ago. My first and main thoughts are as the others said - too much sun and not the best background for your subjects. Get creative with places around your school and maybe shoot the different groups in different areas.

Steve

#4 is freakin the heck out of me.

^^ what they said

I like these. Lighting is quite nice

fstop212 wrote:
Lighting is quite nice


He is wrong. The lighting on these is pretty bad - as mentioned, you're best bet if you do not have modifiers is to wait on some cloud cover or look for some shade. It will yield much more pleasant results. All the best!

I appreciate everyone's honest comments.

As I was walking to the shoot, I knew the lighting wasn't the best. Unfortunately, due to the poor planning of the shoot, the models had worn their clothing that day, and the photos had to be taken. I haven't gotten around to purchasing a reflector yet, so I couldn't use that. I attempted to use my 580ex as fill, but the flash sync was too slow for the low aperture I wanted to use.

Regarding the backgrounds, I spent a week trying to find a more urban setting to shoot #6 at. Unfortunately, our school isn't too spectacular, which made my job hard.

I definitely believe there are some things I could've improved for the shoot, but being stuck in a high school environment adds its own set of challenges as well. Just wanted to throw that out there. Any more critique appreciated.

Too be honest, they look like high school snap shots taken out side of the school on a Sunny Day. Not saying it is bad, but that was what we used to do.

But use what you have, I am sure you can get some white posterboard to use as a reflector. I see trees in the background, so there has to be some shade.

you should have at least tried some pictures with an aperture at which you could have used your flash.

best

steve

Agreed, not the best setting but creativity and ingenuity are what photography is all about. Could've tried putting sun at their backs and using a simple white piece of foamcore as a reflector. Another possibility would've been to put the sun at their backs, underexposed the shot which should have allowed you to use your flash to brighten up your subjects.

I would've shot a few closer/tighter and from a lower perspective.

Heh, I know that in technical sense the photos have the typical beginner problems.

However ... I must say I like them a lot. Colors are nice, you had the right white balance, you didn't over-expose the sky or the faces. Most importantly, the people seem to enjoy the experience.

Neutral density filter would help so you could use a slower shutter speed and get the flash sync as a fill.

4 should go away. Others, as SJMD said are 'high school snap shots taken out side of the school on a Sunny Day'

HappyCamp wrote:
First thing that comes to mind is that the light is very hard and not the most flattering light to use. If you can find a spot with shade where you don't get such hard shadows it would probably make the photos look nicer.

+1

does the school have an auditorium or theatre you can shoot in? how about a boiler room if you want to go grunge, use your imagination and if that does not work look thru a lot of magizines for ideas. take one of the students and do a test shoot in the different areas to see how it would look on film until you hit the area that makes you impressed.