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Hi all,
Here's a few shots from a recent senior portrait session in a nearby park. One note: There is only one smile in this group, and that's because they're my choices from the pics she and her mom chose. I tend to be drawn to the shots without a smile, and my clients like them as well. Every time I shot one like this, I always shoot again with a smile, with her cracking up, etc.
Nice shots... 1 and 2 are the best in the series. The natural light is very balanced. I think 5 and 6 could have used a diffusion panel/reflector to balance the scene.
Different facial expressions in this set. Make sure the expressions you are getting match what you/your client will be happy with. I like a good mix, and often prefer the smiles over the pensive look.
#1 is money. What lens did you use for that shot? I love the bokeh.
All in all, it's a solid set and I'm sure she'll be happy with these. Only nit is she has a similar expression in 4-6. Was she more difficult to relax behind the lens? Besides that, your processing has been on point the last couple sets I've seen. Keep it up!
Thanks, everyone. A few of you have already mentioned the expressions. As I wrote in the OP, I always shoot this expression, then smiles, laughter. I am always cracking up my seniors, never have to ask for a smile.
But when I post for myself, I do post this expression. It's the look I like best. I occasionally allow smiles in, such as with No. 1. My client's parents surprisingly go for a larger number of these looks, but they're of course balanced with smiles and laughter shots.
michaelglenn wrote:
#1 is money. What lens did you use for that shot? I love the bokeh.
All in all, it's a solid set and I'm sure she'll be happy with these. Only nit is she has a similar expression in 4-6. Was she more difficult to relax behind the lens? Besides that, your processing has been on point the last couple sets I've seen. Keep it up!
Thanks, Michael! That shot was with my Nikon 85mm f/1.4 G lens shot at f/1.4. I love shooting wide open with that lens. As for the shots in 4-6, actually in every setup I shoot, I have shots of my subjects with smiles and laughter as well. We pretty much go through the gamut of expressions with every setup, but I favor this look.
hatch1921 wrote:
Nice shots... 1 and 2 are the best in the series. The natural light is very balanced. I think 5 and 6 could have used a diffusion panel/reflector to balance the scene.
All in all... nice job.
Hatch
Thanks Hatch! 5 and 6 were shot and edited intentionally for a high-key look I know not everyone will like it.
Ahhh #1 for me, nothing quite like a pretty young lady with a smile. I don't know her so the following opinion may not be valid but her non-smiles look forced or strained, like she's holding her lips closed with effort (like pre-teens do to hide braces). Regardless, they're all very well done... Mike
JohnKS wrote:
Ron, nice shots. I like the first one the best. I'm not much for the look on the last 2 but that's just me. By the way where is that tree in number 4?
Thanks, John!
This is all shot at Veterans Acres Park in Crystal Lake.
amci4 wrote:
Not dogging you, but she kind of looks pasted into the image to me. Not saying she is, but that's the effect I'm seeing in the first 3 shots.
No worries. That's actually the look I was going for, so you're complimenting me.
