Why dont my pics reflect what I see?

[weka2000]

Ive been doing photography for a year now. Often Im frustrated that I see something shoot it and then look at the results only to find It is no where near what I saw with my eyes.

I have a very attractive wife but why can I not capture her the way I see her?
Its very frustrating.

Yet I have seen others that capture people wonderfully, and I have the same equipment.

Where am I going wrong......

PS I have no trouble capturing wild life or nature or should I say Im happy with those captures

[PhotosGuy]

Maybe because your eyes see things differently from the camera? You focus on one thing at a time where the cam sees everything at once. It helps to look at everything that's in the viewfinder before you hit the shutter. I mean REALLY see what's there, not just what you think is there.
Experience makes it easier, but I still miss things sometime. ;)

[weka2000]

Could there also be a possiblity the each of us has a "gift" some with portraits other with landscapes.

Why do my natures shoots come out far better than those ones of my wife. Same camera same eyes?

Or is it that some people photograph better than others?

[cactusclay]

Ive been doing photography for a year now. Often Im frustrated that I see something shoot it and then look at the results only to find It is no where near what I saw with my eyes.

I have a very attractive wife but why can I not capture her the way I see her?
Its very frustrating.

Yet I have seen others that capture people wonderfully, and I have the same equipment.

Where am I going wrong......

PS I have no trouble capturing wild life or nature or should I say Im happy with those captures
Now that made me laugh:lol: :lol: I've been at it for about twenty-five years and I still have the same problem, from time to time. I think the secret is in trial and error. Keep at it and look for what you like, eliminate what you don't.

[weka2000]

My wife will be near a old folks home by then, I dont think she will still want to do lingerie shoots:o

I dont have 25years:rolleyes:

Yes I know im only beginning but so is gravity and its winning

[MattL]

my portraits are generally pretty good.

My landscapes leave people wondering what i was smoking at the time...
Perhaps we need to educate each other.
Have a weekend where one day is spent on portraits, the other on landscapes!

[symes]

My wife will be near a old folks home by then, I dont think she will still want to do lingerie shoots:o

I dont have 25years:rolleyes:

Yes I know im only beginning but so is gravity and its winning

hahhaah that made me laugh...

I would say in on word: LIGHT...

I know that my portraits and glamour shots have imporved immensely with the use of an 8 dollar walmart light and a lot of practice...now I am assuming you have a patient wife...so like Photosguy said really look through the viewfinder and focus in...lighting from one side...see how it goes...

I am certainly not the end all but I also watch frank's videos and I really enjoy that so ya know, that might help...

Cheers,

[sony23]

my portraits are generally pretty good.

My landscapes leave people wondering what i was smoking at the time.:lol: ..
Perhaps we need to educate each other.
Have a weekend where one day is spent on portraits, the other on landscapes!

I have the same problem, cant take a decent landscape picture to save my life.

Bruce

[weka2000]

So maybe it is part of who we are that enables us to take good shots of somethings but not others.

Mind you it dosnt help if you have a wife who dosnt like her photo taken, and just grits her teeth:(

But im not allowed a model either.

[blue_max]

It does seem to work the other way as well though sometimes.

You see a scene and photograph it, with low exectations and when you see it on screen - wow, that was definitely not what you think you saw!

I am sure if we were just to capture the world as it really is, it would not generally be particularly interesting.

Graham

[garbidz]

I have only recently taken to portraits. When I tried it earlier, I used to get defiant looks, bored faces, forced smiles. Now something has changed. I get shots where people's eyes gleam, they are easy in front of the camera, some of them shine.

What was it?
I stopped trying, for the first. No big deal about photography. I just fumble over my equipment, nothing special about it. I talk to people, make them forget the lens, I don't remember the machine at times myself...which then costs me overexposure, blur, etc.

But that's what happened to me. I use to be all landscapes but now I find them boring unless there is a thunderstorm, a rainbow and a pair of mating elks...
It is poeple who are imteresting.

Maybe it is just that: I find people fascinating, I do not even attempt any photos of anybody I do cannot relate to. I feel very warmly about my subjects and it seems to show on the pictures. Camera is jus a tool, it is not the subject. I am just an eye, I am not a subject either. The person being photographed is the subject. I want her (mostly females) to have a chance to shine on the camera. I am just a servant.

Well. that might have sounded conceited. Think about it anyway and see if there was anything for you.

And take lots of pictures to Really Know your equipment, what light does and what "composition" means in practice. You'll be there when you stop trying...when you do not have to any longer. Oh, and read "Zen and the Art of Archery".

smiles

M

[Hellashot]

You haven't said what type of shots you actually have problems with. People? Moving objects? Do you shoot RAW or jpg and expect everything to be great out of camera?

[SkipD]

I have a very attractive wife but why can I not capture her the way I see her?

Its very frustrating.
Showing us a sample would help. Maybe we could see something in the lighting, camera position, lens choice, etc.

[PhotosGuy]

And take lots of pictures to Really Know your equipment, what light does and what "composition" means in practice. Good point. It helps the have a base of experience to draw on. Knowing that the light is right & the cam is set right allows you to concentrate on what's in front of you which may lead to "The Look". Mine, not hers. One person said that she feels like she's under a microscope when I'm checking every detail of her hair, face, etc. I had to learn to hide that, but I still did it.
Just as an aside, I've only used burst mode a few times just to try it out. Take the time to make the 1st shot "The shot". Maybe it won't be, but the following ones should be closer to what you visualized before you picked up the camera.

More from previous threads: (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=523969#post523969)

I don't particularly like jewelry photography, but I do enjoy any problem solving process.
A lot of people find a comfort zone & hate to leave it & that's when the learning process becomes a plateau, which has a lot in common with a Flat-line EKG. I once suggested to someone to find something that's not interesting (to him) & make it look interesting. I'd like to see more POTN people experiment instead of asking questions like, "What's the best setting for shooting Gerbils from a parachute?" ;)

Take a look at this thread, too:'
Good pics like a diamond in the rough/ photographers block? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=506123#post506123)

Don't make this hard. Build up your base of experience, have fun, and like Snow White, sing "Someday my prints will come"! :D :D

[Robert_Lay]

Rule #1 - Forget about reality - photos are a fake.
Rule #2 - The "Decisive Moment" is not when you take the picture - it's the when you pick out the keepers from the proof sheet.
Rule #3 - Someone on the forum has this in his signature - "You don't take a good photograph, you make it!" -- Ansel Adams

[Steve Parr]

If I ended up with pictures that looked exactly as I imagined they would look, I'd be the second coming of Ansel Adams. I'd be shooting covers for Rolling Stone, and I wouldn't be slingin' a 300D.

Of course, that's not the case.

I always have a picture in my mind's eye about what something is going to look like. Rarely does it end up that way. Regardless, I plod along, hoping I can improve, even just a little, each time I go out...

Steve

[weka2000]

The arrangement was that my wife would let me photgraph her as long as I never let anyone see..... So as much as I would like help I cannot post her picture.

The photos are general full body poses sitting laying standing, normally in a sexy balck dress.

I think that the fact that she thinks she is unattractive dosnt help, the whole point and the reason why I began photography was to show her how attractive she was.

I do like the idea of burst mode.

[PhotosGuy]

I do like the idea of burst mode. You missed the point,"Take the time to make the 1st shot "The shot". " so don't say you got the idea from me, please! ;)

[Thornfield]

Well here is my two cents worth.
First of all if your wife is feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera then this will show in the pictures and no matter what you do it's not going to improve your pictures. My wife used to feel she wasn't very attractive yet everyone used to beg her to model for them. Funnily the only pictures she liked were the ones I took of her. Secondly I think the lighting is very important, this would have to be number one. I see your from Kiwiland also and there is a book out by a Christchurch photographer on how to light portrait photographs. The photographers name is Richard Poole. This book has helped me endlessly so maybe do a search and get that.

[DocFrankenstein]

How exactly do you want your wife to look?
What do you see when you look at her and what do you see when you look at the picture?

Can you find an example to show us from the internet somewhere, with a different woman in the picture? Then we'd help with lighting and what-not

[SkipD]

The arrangement was that my wife would let me photgraph her as long as I never let anyone see..... So as much as I would like help I cannot post her picture.

The photos are general full body poses sitting laying standing, normally in a sexy balck dress.

I think that the fact that she thinks she is unattractive dosnt help, the whole point and the reason why I began photography was to show her how attractive she was.

I do like the idea of burst mode.Can you describe what isn't right with the photos? Maybe we could come up with some ideas based on the description to get you thinking in the right direction.

Many things could contribute to a non-flattering image.

Poor choice of focal length is one of the first things that comes to mind. The wrong focal length will have you at the wrong distance from the subject and have the wrong perspective because of the distance.

Another of the first things that I think of is lighting that is not flattering for one or more reasons - color of the lighting, position of the lighting, how soft or harsh the light source(s) is(are), how light is used to show 3-D shaping, etc.

[weka2000]

Due to the area of room 5x7 mtrs I can only get full shoots using 18-55mm.

Ok here is a shot from yesterday, but its not what I saw, or maybe she changed when I raised the camera to capture what I saw

[PhotosGuy]

only get full shoots using 18-55mm Wide angle focal lengths flatter few people. Can you stay toward the 55mm end?

Faces aren't symmetrical & another thing is that people see themselves reversed in the mirror & that's how they think they look. Have you ever tried to flip the image in PS to match her "mirror look"?

[Tlee05]

plus you could try different lenes to make the image more soft, in landscape you might aim for a sharp crisp images, also you could try and smiley picture, as the colours in that shot make me think a smiley image,

[woodb01]

Due to the area of room 5x7 mtrs I can only get full shoots using 18-55mm.

Ok here is a shot from yesterday, but its not what I saw, or maybe she changed when I raised the camera to capture what I saw

Do yourself a HUGE favor, TALK to her while you shoot... Talk to her about good memories the two of you have together, or about things that seem to make her happy or light her up...

She will respond and your pictures will be dramatically improved once she relaxes... Just my two bits worth, and like opinions, we all have'm...

But try it, TALK to her before, during, and after shooting. It will make her feel better about the experience. Most women are funny like that... :D :D

[woodb01]

Here's an example, my wife used to be the same way, HATED pictures. She even still says she does, but I've found that if I just chat with her while I'm shooting the kids, and take a few candids of her, she generally starts to loosen up a bit.

Here's an example, while "technically" this picture has too much yellow, is a bit overexposed, and the technical purists wouldn't like it, I love this shot (one of MANY great ones in my opinion!)...

http://www.nodnc.com/1download/0wife.jpg

Technically, it's a little warm, a little overexposed, but the bokeh is great, and the lighting creates a kind of a "glow" that flatters her...

One of the other things I do is try to get "bursts" too. I also use sensitive lenses (all f/2.8 capable or less) to avoid the flash even in low light. My wife is one of those rare individuals who can blink her eyes simultaneously with a flash and catch almost every shot with the eyes half open.

Just practice and "play" at it. Don't try to stage the shots so much...

[MattL]

Perhaps try and start with headshots, at the 55mm end to begin with. Get her smiling and her eyes lighting up.

[weka2000]

Woodb01, I like the shot, I also like the advice. Im a IT guy so I forget that people are not machines that I turn on and off. With my nature shots I have no control you cant tell mother nature how to pose.

My wife cannot read my mind and more often than not I cant express what Im after.

I shoot ony in RAW. My pic had no editing.

So maybe in not her or me it is "us" and learning to have fun and relaxing.

[SkipD]

Perhaps try and start with headshots, at the 55mm end to begin with. Get her smiling and her eyes lighting up.This suggestion reinforces what I was saying about perspective and lens choice. I think that for portrait work you should be using focal lengths from about 50mm to 85mm or so (assuming that you are using a camera with APS-C sized sensor such as a 350D, 20D, etc.) and back away from the subject a little more. The longer camera-to-subject distance will improve the perspective a bit.

A side benefit could be that, when further from her, the camera is less "in her face", making her a little less conscious of the camera itself. Getting her to relax and be happy is definitely as important as any technical things you could come up with.

[weka2000]

This is the sort of photography I am trying to acheive

http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill/picture_a_day_of_wanda

[woodb01]

Based on those images, take your time! Your wife will need to get MUCH more comfortable in front of the camera, and in front of you shooting to be able to do anything like that.

My suggestion is just try to capture some nice candids... Take your time, learn to capture the moment...

I've had film bodies before and cheap lenses. Always shot everything in auto. I've only been at this fairly seriously for about 2 months. Just relax and have fun.

Here are a few more of the family that I've done. My goal is to capture the moment as much as possible, but as you can see from the rocking horse, some of them are staged too...

http://www.nodnc.com/1download/3.jpg

[woodb01]

Another of those candid moments with my wife and other daughter (I have 3 daughters).

http://www.nodnc.com/1download/2.jpg

[MattL]

Woodboy, Great pictures and I agree with everything you've said.

Get more comfortable of taking pictures of people, capturing that moment and that emotion etc.

Full body shots will be difficult to achieve with what you have, in what space you have.

[woodb01]

I can do full body shots fine, but since I don't shoot nudes, there is rarely much need for full body shots. Sometimes the full body shot captures the mood of the image, but more often then not, the message is captured in a smaller part of the image.

All of my images above are "natural" shots that have not been Photoshopped either. Although I do some color correction on some images, and some neat B&W or Sepia conversions, I try to get the shot right the first time (although that's not always successful).

Thanks for the compliments though.

[weka2000]

Tonight I will put on my 50mm F1.8 and test to see how much i can fit in.

I will follow the advice about conversation and put on some music.

[soupdragon]

I believe the problem with landscapes (for some) lies in the way the brain collects visual information.
Because people are natural hunters, our eyes scan very quickly from side to side (not so quick up/down) and our brains build a panoramic representation of the surrounding terrain.
Also, we compensate for exposure without thinking about it, so the sky always looks blue with white fluffy clouds and the grass looks nice and green, sadly your sensor doesn't see it this way.
We do this without thinking but still remember it.
The problem is, to capture that much information you need a really wide angle lens and a graduated filter to get the sky detail, and acheive all this without distorting verticals.

[weka2000]

Interesting as I used to do a lot of hunting.

[soupdragon]

Having said that, I could have got that the wrong way round.
Never the less, fundamentally this still holds true.

As a side note, the human brain is selective in what information it retains, for instance.
When you drive a car you are drawing in mountains of data, too much for your brain to process.
The faster you drive your car, the more info is discarded and your field of view effectively closes down
as you are not that interested in what's going on around you.

[PhotosGuy]

Because people are natural hunters, our eyes scan very quickly from side to side (not so quick up/down) and our brains build a panoramic representation of the surrounding terrain. Mens brains are hard wired to see movement (game in cover), where women see patterns (plants for food). The faster you drive your car, the more info is discarded and your field of view effectively closes down
as you are not that interested in what's going on around you. If you're going fast enough with total concentration, it's like you're in a movie, have tunnel vision, & the world is moving around you. I would remember a corner with a yellow flag for 1 lap, but if asked about the situation after the race, I usually wouldn't remember it. OTOH, one normally lapped backmarker said she remembered every corner of the race.

[Titus213]

My wife will be near a old folks home by then, I dont think she will still want to do lingerie shoots:o

I dont have 25years:rolleyes:

Yes I know im only beginning but so is gravity and its winning

The beauty of shooting someone you really care about is that they will always look beautiful to you. Sounds like you have all the time you will need.

[soupdragon]

Mens brains are hard wired to see movement (game in cover), where women see patterns (plants for food). If you're going fast enough with total concentration, it's like you're in a movie, have tunnel vision, & the world is moving around you. I would remember a corner with a yellow flag for 1 lap, but if asked about the situation after the race, I usually wouldn't remember it. OTOH, one normally lapped backmarker said she remembered every corner of the race.

I never new the bit about a womans brain, I guess it's not a very big topic for conversation.

[Streetshooter]

Without images it's hard to comment but your words are strong too and so are the words of the people posting replies. My suggestion would be to make images from the heart. You are approaching her from the mind with preconceived ideas. When you see the images, you are let down because your images can't live up to the preconceptions you have created.
Nothing in life is ever as good as we want it to be. So, abandon your preconceptions, open your heart, tap into the heart's eye and make images that come naturally....don't question the outcome...just keep making images....
photographs are nothing more than self portraits....all of your images will reflect a part of you in one way or another.....around the house...keep your camera around your neck...make images of everything whenever you feel the trigger compelling you to release....just keep making images and eventually your heart's eye will start to take over......good luck....don