weekend shoot

[kpiela]

I have two shots from this weekend's holiday photo shoot and would like some advice. The first one of the kids was taken in Program mode (I just could not get the lighting right in any other mode...total newbie!) at a/v 4.0, ISO 100, ec +2. I find it needs to be brighter. What would you change to get a better image?

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This image of the family I like the lighting but I realize I burnt out part of dad's head b/c the sun was hitting him...my bad. Aside from that, what do you think of the shot? shot on P a/v 8.0, ec -1 1/3, ISO 100

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[Dante King]

Like htem both! You can fix dad's head. I dont know if thats such a big deal however. First pic looks perfect on my calibrated monitor. Would not touch it.

[kpiela]

I actually did a little editing (see below).. but he wasn't really the kind of guy I wanted to "fix" too much! I am reshooting them this weekend b/c the sanctuary we were shooting at didn't allow dogs, and they really wanted him in the shot! Thanks Dante :)

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[PEACHMAN]

K... the exposure looks fine in both form what you have done...tha only dark I see in #1 is the background...the camera is adjusting settings based on the bright white on your daughters dress.everything else is in proportion to this white...ie, if you want her face brighter then the white in her clothing will be washed out...it seems that there is no real direct light on the faces..a little more light will give a bit more pop with some contrast in their features.....I would try touching the curves feature just a tad ( grab about 20% of the way down from the top right on the line and drag just a little to the right and down)( I know, I hear the crowd doing a collective groan)
The same thing is going on in the lower photo, not enough light on the faces to make a good contrast...I would, in these lighting conditions , use the center focus dot only and up the ISO to 400...I'm sure others have better ways to deal with this that is probably better, this is just How I would begin...and as you may have noticed, I get very few chances to shoot in good , popping contrast, light...PS these look fine as they are, I'm only commenting 'cause you asked!.......

[KaplanMultimedia]

I think these shots look wonderful. Since the sunlit side of dad's face bothers you, I'm sure you'll be looking for this kind of thing in the future. So you have already become a better photographer.

BTW, the highlighted area can be improved with some PS work. You can lasso that area and adjust the levels by bringing the output level down. You can also airbrush that section by using the color of the dad's face with a transparency of approximately 10-20%.

Good luck!

[kpiela]

Thanks guys. I can use any advice anyone is willing to give! I indeed have learned to keep away from the sun! I do not know how to compensate for direct sunlight at this point! Those were just two families of about 26 I did this past weekend and they have all been PS'd and I will get the prints soon. I have about 20 more this weekend...hopefully they will be a bit better than the first batch. Live and Learn!

[PEACHMAN]

The kids are not yours?..please adjust my first comment to say"the young lady", not your daughter!:o

[kpiela]

The kids are not yours?..please adjust my first comment to say"the young lady", not your daughter!:o

Not a problem! My daughter, while she acts 13, is a mere 3 years old! Surely you have seen her face plastered all over this forum! hahaha... just kidding :lol:

My kids dropped by the shoot for a quick visit so I snapped this...they look very disheveled (their natural state of being):

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[kpiela]

Now that I look, that first little girl does look a bit like my daughter!

[PEACHMAN]

I like that shot of the kids looking so natural...so are these your kid too, as well as the three year old (who I do know who is?) The colors in her shirt set the photo off and the background you have chosen for these is a perfect natural setting!...Maybe we should be listing our kids along with our lenses and equipment!

[KaplanMultimedia]

I really like this last shot a lot. Great expressions, exposure, sharpness, color, the whole shebang. :D

[kpiela]

Thanks! It's amazing what the sun will do to an otherwise nice shot! The settings for the last photo (my kids) were the same as the 2nd photo of the family. Thankfully we have an overcast day today...wish me insight and clarity.... I have the flu to boot so with a fever and horrible cough, it should be a fun day. :(