Newborn Twins Portraits

[Noelle8818]

I am pretty disappointed with the results. For those of you that don't remember my first post, photography is just a hobby of mine, which I want to turn into a profession down the road. I know NOTHING of lighting/F-stops etc. (Will be taking Digital Photography course next month) I went to my friends house to take these portraits of the twins, and there was no where to do them. So I had to put them on the couch, which of course they just sank into.

Could someone give me tips on how I could have made these better?
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5944.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5941.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5947.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5933.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5927.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5917.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5915.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/CammiNoelle/IMG_5910.jpg

[monter]

LOVE the basket shots, love the one of the two of them with the signs. The only suggestion i have for placement in the house is if they have one of those bouncey seats (that they can lay in) drape a blanket over that and create a faux seat for them. That's what I did recently and it worked like a charm!

[Art Rodriguez]

I don't really think you should be disappointed with these. I must admit, the first two don't look right, but I think the others came out pretty good. I wish I could give you tips on the first two. The only thing I can tell you is to take plenty of pictures and learn from that.

Art

[SonyaL]

There actually not bad do you mind if I see about fixing them?
I do think you did ok since like you said its a hobby infants are hard to get to do what you want them to do.

Sonya

[Noelle8818]

I don't really think you should be disappointed with these. I must admit, the first two don't look right, but I think the others came out pretty good. I wish I could give you tips on the first two. The only thing I can tell you is to take plenty of pictures and learn from that.

Art

Dont you know the first two are the ones the parents and grandparents liked best? Go figure. My personal favorites are the basket shots, but the grandmother (my friend) said they would make a cute easter egg card. Not the reaction I was looking for. HAHA.

[98photo]

I really like the basket shots and the last one. The first two don't look right to me. The ones with the bows...you should have put them on a harder surface so the cushion does not block their faces.
Overall I think you did a great job!

[Noelle8818]

There actually not bad do you mind if I see about fixing them?
I do think you did ok since like you said its a hobby infants are hard to get to do what you want them to do.

Sonya

Have at em!!! I don't have photoshop, but I have Adobe Photoshop Elements...

[SuzyView]

The basket shots are just adorable. All are just beautiful. You did a great job. This really the best example of my favorite saying when I see something wonderful, "I'll take two!" :)

[Art Rodriguez]

Looking at the first two again, they seem to have a bluish cast. But that could just be my work monitor. I'm eager to see what Sonya can do with them, because other than that I like them.

Art

[lisa1969]

I would try converting the basket shots to choc or B&W. Newborns are tough customers. Don't be hard on yourself.
Here is one basket shot in choc, I hope you don't mind, I will remove if you'd like.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/lisa1969/piccopy.jpg

[Noelle8818]

I would try converting the basket shots to choc or B&W. Newborns are tough customers. Don't be hard on yourself.
Here is one basket shot in choc, I hope you don't mind, I will remove if you'd like.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/lisa1969/piccopy.jpg

I really like that! Thank you.

[lisa1969]

Here's another 2. I don't know what I would do without PS for LOTS of my pics. I think you did great for a first try. I know I also get a bit nervous around other peoples newborns, much dif when I am working with my own kids.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/lisa1969/IMG_5941.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/lisa1969/IMG_5941copy.jpg

[SonyaL]

Heres my try at it. First what I did was some slight color correction on the close ups added softness to all but the eyes and mouth.
On the basket ones that are farther away corrected the baskets with the deform tool which meant I had to cloan in more background not perfect but you can see what I was trying to do on this.
I will work on the others later on if I get a chance.

Sonya


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Sonya/Oneedited.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Sonya/Twoedited.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Sonya/threeedited.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Sonya/fouredited.jpg

[Noelle8818]

Sonya, I love what you did to the pictures. Would you be able to do that to the actual full sized pictures? Well particularly the close up ones in the basket. If not, thats OK, but I LOVE the close up color corrections you did. Thank you!

[Art Rodriguez]

Noelle, not to take anything away from you, as I said I thought you did a pretty good job, but the edits are pretty darn good. Photoshop is an amazing tool and hopefully I can be just as good with as Sonya and Lisa:) Again, I think you shouldn't be dissapointed with the pictures you took.

Art

[Noelle8818]

Noelle, not to take anything away from you, as I said I thought you did a pretty good job, but the edits are pretty darn good. Photoshop is an amazing tool and hopefully I can be just as good with as Sonya and Lisa:) Again, I think you shouldn't be dissapointed with the pictures you took.

Art

I have GOT to learn Photoshop. I truly can not believe the difference. Sonya took a "blah" photo to a "WOW" photo! I am very impressed. How has everyone learned Photoshop? What is the best way for me to learn?

[Familia]

I Love the basket shots aswell! What cuties!

[K.J]

I like the basket shots too, they're sooo cute! :)
Heres my quick attempt - played around with saturation and lightened a little.

[Art Rodriguez]

I have GOT to learn Photoshop. I truly can not believe the difference. Sonya took a "blah" photo to a "WOW" photo! I am very impressed. How has everyone learned Photoshop? What is the best way for me to learn?

Buy a book or two or go to the library and check out some books on Photoshop. Also, look in the Raw, Post processing and printing forum here and ask questiions. Everyone is very helpful here. I have been doing this for a year and a half and I'm still learning Photoshop. Hopefully others will have other suggestions.

Art

[SonyaL]

Noelle I will be glad to fix your full size shots for you I will send you a private message with my email addy.

I actually have PS 7 just got Elements 3 but I use Paint Shop Pro I am so spoiled to the program I know the best.

Sonya

[bdj3]

I like the ones with the signs but minus the bows. I think they're too big/distracing. Just my opinion. I like the ones in the basket.

[MikeMcL]

should try to take the shots with no diapers on(without revealing anything) just a profile shot like you have with the side of the leg showing... or maybe a light blanket covering their lower half, like they are "snuggled in". actually i think they are nice. you should be happy with them. Like many people you are being very critical of your own work (this is my greatest fault) Im sure the mom will just love these!

[KeriH]

Noelle, these are pretty good for a first. I have my first twin shoot sometime next week. Good friend of mine had twins 2 months ago. She helped me w/ my twins when they were born. Love the basket idea and the bows w/ signs. Great Job.
Love the b&w pics.