My first family portraits....

[Lunajen]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00078-copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00075-copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00059-copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00058-copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00052-copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00051-copy.jpg

It was a little dreary out when these were taken, so I used my flash for any fill light.

And there are no photoshop corrections to any of these other than putting my copyright on the pictures.

Tell me what you guys think....

[ashleymcnamara]

WOW! You did a really great job for your first time. I really like the posing I feel like the colors are a little flat though...could just be me though.

[Lunajen]

Thanks! It ws a little dreary out, I was thinking of bousting the colors...but I wanted to post these without to much editing. I do have a couple of them in fornt of some bright yellow trees that make for some farily decent color. I will try to post those..

[Dante King]

nice work. Need more contrast IMHO.

[dawnrogers]

Nice pictures.....

[JimCapaldi]

Really great shots. It would be hard to pick out the best one because they are all good.

[Benji]

There are several rules in group portraiture that you have violated, and at least two that you followed. Lets check them out. In image # 1, a rule states "no two heads at the same height." All three are at the same height. Another rule states "no body should be square to the camera." All three are in this shot. Lastly all those shoes in the background are distracting (you didn't do it in the second image and see how much nicer it looks?)

# 3. Another rule in portraiture states "if it bends, bend it." We have straight legs (dad and son) and look how strange they look sticking out there. Curl them suckers under them! Son's arms look contorted. Everyone in this image is turned at a 45 degree angle GOOD FOR YOUI! Also no face is either above the lower one or below the upper one, GOOD FOR YOU!

All I can say about the last one is ELBOWS everywhere! (The lighting or background isn't all that good in any of the images IMHO.)

Benji

[song4themoon]

I think you did a great job for the first time. The colors could use some boosting. Benji's tips are very valuable, even though I have to say that in the first "against the rules" works... keep studying and trying.. you are off to a good start!

[ZekaG]

Great shots... especially for the first time.

[Lunajen]

Thanks, for the tips Benji. I tried to remember the whole a "triangle formation is more interesting theory" in some of the group shots(group shots with the entire family on the ground). And I haven't really done any real editing to them, but I was thnk of boosting the some of levels and the colors. I didn't know if I sould try doing some in balck and white or sepia tone, or even some that look hand tinted. These will be for their Christmas cards.... I might even try a collage of a few of the pictures on an atumn looking backgroung and make a 11x14....
Here is another one that I did and kind of liked....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00036-copy.jpg

[Chudilo]

You definitely need to process these a bit. If would liek for us to give it a try . add the ok to edit images to your profile or just say so in a a post.

[bdj3]

I would also suggest that when the girls/ladies have lower cut tops on to watch how much cleavage/bra is showing...I know men...but for the family portrait side you don't want a daughters bra to be showing like in #1. Also for the son....too bad he didn't go along with the rest of them...it would be a great b&w!
Also when they're feet are up like that...make sure nothing is caked to the bottom of their shoes!(just speaking from experience!) My daughters bra was showing on a few xmas pictures I took and then my youngest had gum or something sticky on the bottom of her shoe! But I think you're off to a great start!

[twicklund]

I like the one you added the most. But good job on all of them.. Let us see one after you PP.

Thanks for sharing.

[davidfig]

Can we have permission to edit?

[AeroSmith]

There are several rules in group portraiture that you have violated, and at least two that you followed. Lets check them out. In image # 1, a rule states "no two heads at the same height." All three are at the same height. Another rule states "no body should be square to the camera." All three are in this shot. Lastly all those shoes in the background are distracting (you didn't do it in the second image and see how much nicer it looks?)

# 3. Another rule in portraiture states "if it bends, bend it." We have straight legs (dad and son) and look how strange they look sticking out there. Curl them suckers under them! Son's arms look contorted. Everyone in this image is turned at a 45 degree angle GOOD FOR YOUI! Also no face is either above the lower one or below the upper one, GOOD FOR YOU!

All I can say about the last one is ELBOWS everywhere! (The lighting or background isn't all that good in any of the images IMHO.)

Benji


Wow, I think I may have learned something today. Benji, many thanks for the post.

[isis24]

I love the pictures, although I agree that an increase in contrast and saturation would help. I prefer #1 over #2 - it may break some rules, but I think the feet in the air give the picture a fun, casual look. I would also move the people around a bit more - the dark haired girl is always in the middle. It might look more symmetrical with the boy in the middle.

[Hellashot]

WOW! You did a really great job for your first time. I really like the posing I feel like the colors are a little flat though...could just be me though.

Not just you. The colors are real flat and the WB/levels might be off. The green looks greenish-red. Most of the shots are also low in contrast which is another reason the look lifeless.

[Rumrunner]

Wow, I think I may have learned something today. Benji, many thanks for the post.

I agree, thanks for that benji! Makes sense to me. Those are some really good rules of thumb. ;)

I like all of them, 4, 5, and the last work best IMO. I think a quick run at the curves in PS would add quite a snap.

[goforphoto]

I think if you are not going to boost saturation in PP, you should set your camera if possible to shoot in sRBG and not Adobe RBG. This should help with the color . the shots are great keep up the good work

[zenpro]

There are several rules in group portraiture that you have violated, and at least two that you followed. Lets check them out. In image # 1, a rule states "no two heads at the same height." All three are at the same height. Another rule states "no body should be square to the camera." All three are in this shot. Lastly all those shoes in the background are distracting (you didn't do it in the second image and see how much nicer it looks?)

# 3. Another rule in portraiture states "if it bends, bend it." We have straight legs (dad and son) and look how strange they look sticking out there. Curl them suckers under them! Son's arms look contorted. Everyone in this image is turned at a 45 degree angle GOOD FOR YOUI! Also no face is either above the lower one or below the upper one, GOOD FOR YOU!

All I can say about the last one is ELBOWS everywhere! (The lighting or background isn't all that good in any of the images IMHO.)

Benji

Thanks for your advice Benji, "I've learned something today...".
Regarding the last picture, you're completely wrong though, that shot was the cover for ELBOWS Magazine. :D

[Rumrunner]

Thanks for your advice Benji, "I've learned something today...".
Regarding the last picture, you're completely wrong though, that shot was the cover for ELBOWS Magazine. :D

Thats second to last now, there was another image loaded after that...

[tuggnet]

There are several rules in group portraiture that you have violated, and at least two that you followed. Lets check them out. In image # 1, a rule states "no two heads at the same height." All three are at the same height. Another rule states "no body should be square to the camera." All three are in this shot. Lastly all those shoes in the background are distracting (you didn't do it in the second image and see how much nicer it looks?)

# 3. Another rule in portraiture states "if it bends, bend it." We have straight legs (dad and son) and look how strange they look sticking out there. Curl them suckers under them! Son's arms look contorted. Everyone in this image is turned at a 45 degree angle GOOD FOR YOUI! Also no face is either above the lower one or below the upper one, GOOD FOR YOU!

All I can say about the last one is ELBOWS everywhere! (The lighting or background isn't all that good in any of the images IMHO.)

Benji
This is some great advice! Where would one find a book with all these rules? Lord knows I need it ;)

[Lunajen]

OK so I did a little PP. Sorry it has taken forever. Having problems with our internet.

So here are some that I did some B&W and sepia tone effects....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00059-copycopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00058-copycopy.jpg

Boosted the levels and such....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00036-copy-1.jpg

[ABrownPhoto]

Throw a little more contrast into there and you'll have some AWESOME A+ shots!! For now you will have to settle for an "A" with out the "+" for lack of contrast :)

Great poses, nice smiles, cute kids, and for the record, which one is you? all the ladies look the same age ;)

[Lunajen]

Thanks skweekie! I am always scared to put in too much contrast so i always ere on the safe side....

And here are a few more...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00058-copy-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00075-copycopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00078-copycopy2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00078-copycopy3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/Dubois00078-copy-1.jpg


The last three are the same photo done three different ways......;)

[staciecd]

From the set that you just posted, #1 looks great. #2 and #4 look a little overdone. I really like #3 but would try with a little less blur so close to the people. This shot with the blur and the one with the entire family in front of the yellow tree are my favorites. #5 in the above set looks really good too. I think that with the feet showing - since you have the arms on one side and everyone has their legs pointing the same way, everything balances and the feet look good. Very nice job for your first time.

[Lunajen]

From the set that you just posted, #1 looks great. #2 and #4 look a little overdone. I really like #3 but would try with a little less blur so close to the people. This shot with the blur and the one with the entire family in front of the yellow tree are my favorites. #5 in the above set looks really good too. I think that with the feet showing - since you have the arms on one side and everyone has their legs pointing the same way, everything balances and the feet look good. Very nice job for your first time.

Thanks, I really appreciate it! I was kind of going a little crazy in photoshop on a few of the pics... ;)

[Benji]

This is some great advice! Where would one find a book with all these rules? Lord knows I need it ;)

As far as I know no one has ever published a complete list of all of the nearly 40 rules in portraiture. HOWEVER, I have started a tutorial on PhotoCamel.com http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,16842.0.html that will eventually have all of them along with example images. I'm also working on a video.

Benji

[Miniflash]

I just love these ..great looking family you have here ~