Park shoot

[iN5P1R3]

Hey POTN friends :)

I went to the park w/ a friend today and took some pictures. Shooting, shooting, more shooting, & POTN helps my photography tremendously.

I'm looking for C&C on posing (still having some trouble), composition, and PP. As always, thanks for looking/commenting.

1. http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2739/img4043fa9.jpg

2. http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4893/img4051oz4.jpg

3. http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7717/img4081zg5.jpg

4. http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/2568/img4073dd1.jpg

5. http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5971/img4070rf2.jpg

6. http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/6789/img4109zy4.jpg

[SwingBopper]

Firstly you have a lovely model and a nice series here. I think #2 is a little dark and I'd rather not have that dark object directly behind her. #6 is a bit dark too and doesn't seem to have a strong composition. The rest are very nice.

[telephoto500]

im liking the 3rd one

edit: the 4th one

[Robert_Lay]

#4 is an interesting example of severe glare or forward scatter due to direct rays of the sun hitting the front surface of the lens. Gives the same effect as a dirty windshield.

I would usually be trying to avoid it by using a lens hood and keeping the lens clean. However, it looks like you may have been doing it on purpose in order to get a low contrast image or set a mood.

[mikepack]

#5(right) seems the most natural to me. Out of all shots, her eyes are the most powerful. The rest of the shots she is trying to push a smile. I do, however, wish the OOF tree branch wasn't there on the right half as well as the hair on her neck. I don't get much out of the the left portion of the image. Otherwise, this is my favorite! Good job!

[jayspec]

1. Edit: This photo did not load when I first looked at the photos.

2. When a human being puts their weight on their hands, their elbows lock up for stability. Good for humans who don't want to fall over and dislocate their elbows. Bad for photographers. Do not have your subjects put their weight on a hand they're leaning on. Also, her two feet should be in different positions. My preference would be for at least one of them to be extended to continue the line created by her hips and thighs.

3. Nice use of the diagonal of that branch. I don't like the foreground branches that look like they're poking her in the abdomen. Also, you cut off her hand.

4. The light has already been talked about. I like the composition generally, but I'd prefer if her hands were either entirely encased in the sweatshirt, or her fingers were properly extended. As it is, the fingers on her lower hand look like stubs.

5. There's no point to the frame where the model isn't in focus. It's not a particularly interesting branch. And in the frame where she is in focus, the blurry branch chops her right in half.

6. Underexposed. I don't know why she's looking back or where she's going. A slight POV change might better illustrate the "path" she's going down. The big tree down the middle really kind of blocks her out of the photo.

[iN5P1R3]

Thanks for the comments everyone :) Sorry for the late reply, I've been out of town for the past two days and I haven't had a chance to access the internet.

#4 was intentional for those who are wondering.

Thanks for the detailed advice jayspec, I really appreciate it.

[HappySnapper90]

#3 and #4 are your keepers because your subject is well exposed. #1 and #2 have backlit background leaving your subject's face rather dark (fill flash could have helped here).

For #5, the first version is just distractinly annoying focusing on the branch being unable to make out the girl's face; while the 2nd version has the branch a major distraction right infront of her face.

[jetboy]

Its great that so many ppl have different opinions. So, I guess I will give mine on the 3 I really like.

First is #4- I understand that was the effect you were going for, but, I would have liked to see a bit more fill flash on the subject. It would've made your subject not seem so soft and would pop in the image more.

#3- I like the background and the subject. She really stands out in the muted woods almost like a color on monochrome image without doing that effect. I disagree with another that the branches look to be poking her. To me, it looks like she is weaving through a web of branches with grace. Also, I don't think cutting the hand off really would've added to or takes away from the image. I only would prefer a bit more contrast. All in all, its a really good shot.

#5- Left image to me is worthless. The right image is my favorite of this series. Your DOF is good to not take away from your subject. The OOF branches appear to even frame your subjects face and draws my attention right to her. She really stands out in this image. Even her hair on her neck almost gives an impression of a heart if you look at how it frames with the V of her shirt.

[iN5P1R3]

HappySnapper90, I tried using fill flash and that failed miserably. I still haven't figured out how to use the 580EX (I know...it's embarrassing :oops:)

jetboy, thanks for your input! I also think it's interesting how people have varying opinions.

[HappySnapper90]

HappySnapper90, I tried using fill flash and that failed miserably. I still haven't figured out how to use the 580EX (I know...it's embarrassing :oops:)


Either have it in ETTL mode if you're using Av mode and start with FEC of -1 as a starter. Or put your external flash in Manual mode and dial it down from 1/1 to a power that gives just the right amount of light. 1/4 might be the correct amount of light. Try and experiment if you have a patient model.

[iN5P1R3]

Thanks for the advice on flash :)

I tried using manual mode + ETTL but that didn't work out too well. I'll try using the flash manually next time.