Hi Everybody, I would first off like to thank all that C&C in advance. Because I'm just a kid and every little bit helps me grow and refine my skills and technique. And I need a 3rd party review as all the clients and my family like them but they're obviously biased.
AnthonyB - these are very good for a "kid" - good job.
1st - focus is good, exposure is good. I would leave a bit more space on the left where they are leaning. I would also have less space on the top and a bit more of the brick on the bottom. Very nice. It is hard to shoot pictures with white shirt vs dark shirt contrast. This worked because all shaded. Good gob. I am not sure that I like the hand/over/hand position, I think a hug hold would have worked better. Very nice picture though.
2nd - the people are a little too small in the picture for my liking. The background is nice but should not overwhelm the subjects. cropping tighter would improve a lot. Perhaps moving in and using your on camera flash as fill flash would help because there are areas that are underposed on the two peoples clothes.
3rd - is my favorite of the 3. She seems most naturally posed and I like the blurred but pleasant background. Very nicely framed. Fill flash might help her too.
Thanks Scott, for the1st one I agree that the Hand thing is a little weird, How would you go about achieving the "Hug"
2nd I couldn't quite see it as a vertical shot, I'll try cropping it in a little bit since there's still a decent amount on the top and bottom. Oh yeah the lighting, I probably should have brought my flash (The 1D doesn't have a flash)
3rd I think this is my favorite also, The cool thing is that this was just the way the sun was, no flash or anything. I did work a little on balancing the highlights and everything in PS but most of it is as is. Also the blur is what I just love about the 85 1.8 and I don't know why it's not an L. I did a 16x20 Canvas of this one and they loved it. I can't wait to eventually pick up a 1Ds so I can print large and retain more detail.
Thanks for the crit and comments
they really do help
Scott nailed the most salient points. I'd like to add that in #1 an OOF background would really make your subjects pop. It wouldn't destroy the ambience of the bricks and lattice because some of that would remain in focus. I always find portraits with blurred backgrounds more appealing. Candids and street photography gets away without a OOF background much of the time because they are telling a larger story, but portraits are telling a story of just the people in them.
Anthony, for starters you did a good job..........that being said,
1st image: a general rule is that you don't want to see hands flat...especially with woman, its makes them look very big.....that is the first thing that pops out at me in this image......also to enhance what you have.....stamp tool out the bolts by their heads, less distraction. Great expression from the subjects, that is the most important aspect family portraits anyhow........oh, and stamp tool our the hot spots in the leaves.
2nd.....i like best in regards to composition, no need to crop tighter...this is a environmental portrait....... this image would have been helpful if you had a flash to help get rid of the hot spots in the background. I would actually change this to a B/W.
3. looks good, i like how you sat down at her level.....very nice.
Nice job, and it's obvious your subjects enjoyed the experience too. The third is my favorite.
Comment-wise, I agree with what others had said. If you're familiar with smart filters in CS3, after cropping #2, you can sharpen the image, next add blur, and then selectively brush away portions of the blur for selective sharpening of the subjects. I'd definitely darken the foliage behind them.
Thanks Tony, I'll try fixing up the bolts and the leaves. I'll try to work on it, I only have CS2 but It works great.
3 Also I like being with and on the same level. Also being younger it's easier for me, since were closer in age. Also I like the conversion
Bob. Thanks I'll have to try a gausian blur and layer mask it so I can do selective work. and Thanks for the compliments
these are very nice. The subjects seem very relaxed before your camera, and you can't be trained in how to achieve that. Good job.
Scott makes salient points well worth considering (and I wouldn't have considered the hand-over-hand comment unless he mentioned it, but he's right). How about her hand up toward his shoulder?
I think #2 is a great shot and agree with you on cropping just a bit. Otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing. I'd keep the colors because they augment the skin tones and clothes of the subjects.
#3 is remarkably well-composed. The choice of location for a shot, and time of day, are very well done.
Thanks Tikipundit. I must agree that the hand thing I would definitely want to fix. Also With the height difference and her being in front, How/ where would you recomend I put her hand?
Bob..... I like the reworks. And the Vertical doesnt' look all that bad actually. I'll definatly go back and try the crop and the blur.
AnthonyB wrote:
Thanks Tikipundit. I must agree that the hand thing I would definitely want to fix. Also With the height difference and her being in front, How/ where would you recomend I put her hand?
I dunno if I'd have his hand where it is, but maybe hers could stay. What if he was holding his right arm out like his left is, if the composition is maintained? Kind of a "hanging off the lamp-pole" pose? It must be hard to maintain the casualness of models (as you've done) while telling them how to pose,
Yeah, that' actually might work. Alas there is snow on the ground. Oooo that's gonna be fun and different! I hope theres a brave soul out there. Senior pictures now would be so fun and cold.
