I have someone wanting me to do some shots for them of their kid. And while I am flattered, I really would like to improve a lot more before I do anything like that. Any tips? This is todays shot. I like it personally but my son is the subject. If you were a client and this were YOUR child and pictures you were paying for, would you be happy?
I am terrible at this. The picture doesnt show. Here is a link to it? if not, it is today's shot (3 March 2011)
High key is ok, if practiced. This was too bright for my eyes. I liked the eyes for sure, but I think you should offset some contrast in it, perhaps soften it up a bit too.
I wish you the best. Looks like you have a good eye for it, that's for sure.
I would agree that the background is a little bright, maybe your son's face too. (Cute kid by the way.) The one thing I've noticed when I look at pro sites is the eyes are always super sharply focused. When I met with a wedding photographer to discuss the pros and cons of business he had mentioned that sharply focused eyes were key. That's something I look for all the time, for someone to capture the life in their eyes. Also, with high key lighting, they sometimes go in and darken (burn) areas of shadow to create a depth to the face. I don't know if that helps, and I always feel like a dork when commenting in these threads.
@moncooga@saclunch It's funny you both mention the brightness, because it is significantly brighter on here than it is on my computer as I was editing. I agree that it does look really bright here now that I am looking closer at it.
First of all I admire your bravery for putting yourself out there asking for feedback!!
I almost gave up on this whole photography thing for awhile because I felt people weren't being honest enough (constructive feedback)....I was confused by what people considered a "good photographer" and became completely unsure of my ability. You have a beautiful little model there...my advice it to not "over" edit. I am far from an expert but I agree with the others..it's all in the eyes. I love picnik but I am not a fan of borders or the white edging (I can't remember the name) I've seen my style evolve over the last 5 years..and I sometimes look back and cringe at mistakes I've made over-editing. I think you're doing well....you want your pics to tell a story (at least I do). Practice..practice..practice...oh and a good lense doesn't hurt either! ;)
All the best.
I think its a very cute picture, I do agree its a little too bright for my taste. I also agree about the sharp eyes... the eye bright tool on picnik is wonderful! Picnik premium is SO worth it in my opinion. I really like your pictures :) I just got my first dslr a few weeks ago and I really want to make this my career as well. Good luck!!
The one thing I have learned being on both sides of the camera for events or photo shoots is know what the client expects. If you shoot a bunch of high key and they don't want that, it sucks for both parties. If you can get a general idea by having them show you or you show them styles or compositions they might like. I am not saying to copy or plagarize compositions but it will give everyone a general idea of what to expect. Also, trust your instincts. Judging by what I see you post, you have the skills, don't doubt yourself. Oh and always make sure the eyes are focused, a general rule I have found there are not many exceptions to.
The baby is cute. But the exposure is way off. Are you metering off his face? Also be careful in your framing. This shot chops off his right arm and left fingers. I think I'd like to see a less busy background too. Maybe more of the sidewalk and trees than the house?
I've had a couple of my shots upload much brighter as well. I think you have a great eye for photography, and it's obvious that you really love doing it! We all have to start somewhere. I picked up my first SLR less than a year ago and had absolutely NO idea what I was doing! If you keep at it, with each passing month you'll continue to improve as you learn more. There is so much helpful information online....from camera functions to editing. If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to learn how to use your camera in manual mode, if you already don't, and ALWAYS shoot in RAW! Good luck!
I also have read that with a portrait, if you get the eyes in focus it doesn't matter so much about anything else. The brightness is a strange one. The blacks seem pretty black (the small blacks there are). Were you in the shade? Was it a really sunny day? At 1/200 I guess it was a bright day. I'm not well versed with portraits, but I wonder if a little shade would have helped. Maybe you can call on the clouds :-)
I know you used f/5.6 in order to get a shallow depth of field. Could you zoom in a little and reduce the aperture to still keep the shallow DOF? (Step further back as well for framing) I don't know about the T1i, but maybe 55mm is the max zoom on the stock lens?
To be brutally brutal, unless this is a style the client wanted, I think they wouldn't be amazingly happy.
Unless they really need to be taken outside, maybe you can go inside and get more control over the lighting?
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I wish you the best. Looks like you have a good eye for it, that's for sure.
as for your photo. I think its a bit bright as well. but i honestly have no room to talk on criticizing other photos :(
I almost gave up on this whole photography thing for awhile because I felt people weren't being honest enough (constructive feedback)....I was confused by what people considered a "good photographer" and became completely unsure of my ability. You have a beautiful little model there...my advice it to not "over" edit. I am far from an expert but I agree with the others..it's all in the eyes. I love picnik but I am not a fan of borders or the white edging (I can't remember the name) I've seen my style evolve over the last 5 years..and I sometimes look back and cringe at mistakes I've made over-editing. I think you're doing well....you want your pics to tell a story (at least I do). Practice..practice..practice...oh and a good lense doesn't hurt either! ;)
All the best.
I know you used f/5.6 in order to get a shallow depth of field. Could you zoom in a little and reduce the aperture to still keep the shallow DOF? (Step further back as well for framing) I don't know about the T1i, but maybe 55mm is the max zoom on the stock lens?
To be brutally brutal, unless this is a style the client wanted, I think they wouldn't be amazingly happy.
Unless they really need to be taken outside, maybe you can go inside and get more control over the lighting?