First photoshoot

[LIVE4EVA]

Hey everyone,
just thought i would try and get back in here now that i have started doing my own shoots... very exciting for me.
The family was quite happy but i am very interested to be critiqued by some more photo minded people.
Any advise would be wonderful as i have quite a few i will be doing now and would definitely like to try and fix my mistakes as soon as possible.









Thanks for looking and please, any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Greg

[sirhc55]

Hi Greg - my humble opinions

#1 - Try to frame your shot (or use another lens) so that you don’t exaggerate the head. Happy looking bub

#2 - I like your treatment on this shot

#3 - Nicely composed shot but either use a floor light for the background or get further away to eliminate shadow

#4 - Very nicely posed shot

[Pehpsi]

Never done a portrait before, so take my words with a grain

#1. Beautiful shot, love they eyes and looks good in b&w. Think a fraction more contrast would give it some bang.

#2. Popular shot and always works well. Like to see the feet a bit sharper, especially the left. Also a few random white dots I'd clone out.

#3. Sharp and nicely exposed. The shadow behind the man is a little distracting I find.

#4. I like it. The body turned with her head facing you looks great and her smile makes for a nice portrait. Looks a little soft around the eyes, but that's probably just the web/jpg. Also, the WB seems a bit warm. Her shirt seems to have a yellow cast to it, but a nudge to the left with the Temp slider will solve that.

Anyway, that's my 2c Thanks for posting.

James.

[Bindii]

1. I think its adorable.. and yeah the lens you have used up so close has made the bubs head look a little exaggerated... but that kinda adds to the appeal of it I think. It could definitely be a little sharper though..

2. An oldie but a goodie.. good composure.. watch the skin being pushed up by mums fingers though... great conversion.. the crackle effect kinda suits it too but it still doesn't disguise the fact that its also not quite sharp enough..

3. Yeah sorry no.. I don't like it.. it doesn't look professional.. they are all squashed up in the frame and look uncomfortable.. you can't see the babies face and Mum has no idea what she should be doing with her hand.. the shadow as mentioned before is distracting also..

4. Cute... its composed well enough... but watch for messy hair (unless you are after that real natural look).. lighting looks good etc.. I'd maybe just crop a few cm's from the bottom to lose the rumpled clothing..

Hope you don't think I am being too harsh..

[gstark]

OK ...

#1 ... as already noted, move back, and use a longer lens. The enlarged head does nothing for me. Also, vignette the background in the tlh corner; the lightness there I find distracting.

#2 ... the crackle effect is too strong; reduce its intensity. excessive PP is no substitute for poor camea work, so get the image sharp in the first instamce: look at the toes on the baby's L foot; it's way OOF. Your point of focus is around the mother's index finger. The lack of correct focusdetracts from the image, and the PP doesn't, IMHO, make up for it. Also, look at mum's fingernails. She needs a manicure.

#3 ... move the subjects further from the background to help eliminate the shadow. And yes, they do look uncomfortable and forced in this image. And yes, whose babies are they? from this image, they could be mine; there's no way to tell.

[LIVE4EVA]

Thanks for the comments..
I would also like to make the comment that being the first shoot i was basically shooting like mad trying everything i could think of, and with restless babies i realised how hard it is to get them sitting still enough to take a photo with indoor natural light...
none of the shots were in a studio and all were taken with natural light only.
the one with the shadow i realized when i was taking but as i am waiting for my flash to arrive i could do little but work off the light from the window.
Please don't take these as excuses as i realise that my images have much to improve on but i would also like to inform you that the shots were not ideal and i do take all advise and i thank you all greatly and look forward to showing my progress in my photographic career.
Once again thanks guys.

[ozimax]

The first one has an "ET-ish" look about it. I know the bub's head is not in correct proportion but this one will be treasured for years to come.

Last shot has nice sharp eyes.

Keep 'em coming.

Ozi

[Bindii]

Thanks for the comments..
I would also like to make the comment that being the first shoot i was basically shooting like mad trying everything i could think of, and with restless babies i realised how hard it is to get them sitting still enough to take a photo with indoor natural light...
none of the shots were in a studio and all were taken with natural light only.
the one with the shadow i realized when i was taking but as i am waiting for my flash to arrive i could do little but work off the light from the window.
Please don't take these as excuses as i realise that my images have much to improve on but i would also like to inform you that the shots were not ideal and i do take all advise and i thank you all greatly and look forward to showing my progress in my photographic career.
Once again thanks guys.

I hear ya... and as a wedding and portrait photographer myself I used to say the same things..

until one day a friend of mine who is a very well kown and respected wedding and portrait tog said to me.. "Sue, you can make all the excuses in the world but you can't write them on he back of the prints. In ten years time when someone looks at the images no one is going to remember that it was pouring with rain and the subject was sick with the flu that day. Work around whatever problems there are because in this business there are problems with every job and its your job to make it work. Thats what makes a pro better than an amatuer". ..

I've not forgotten those words.. and yeah I still find myself sometimes saying welll you should have been there the kid wouldn't stop screaming or the bride was drunk (don't laugh.. its happened).. but now I stop myself and find a way to work around whatever obstacles that are there to get the job done properly..

[LIVE4EVA]

Thanks Bindii.. I know this and i know i will just have to strive to be better in the future.. and yes i do realise that its only really going to be the photographer that remembers how hard a day has really been..
But thanks for finding a really nice way of saying " Suck it up, your a photographer now"

Thanks again for all your comments guys, they are all well noted.
Greg