My First "E-Session" C&C Please

[jasr]

Hey everyone. I did my first engagement shot a couple of weeks ago and finally got around to putting them up here. I already have another couple that wants me to do theirs because of these!

I felt I did ok but I had a lot of WB and focus issues. I know I should have shot at f/4 more, I stuck it usally around f/2 and missed some stuff.
Do yall use one shot or servo? I just handheld so I think the focus barley missed on some bc I used oneshot.

I mainly used my 50mm 1.4. I only have that and the kit lens atm.

I know I need to work on my pp skills as well.

Anyways, be gentle and thanks to Scott for the border and logo tutorials and Philco for the e-session tutorial!

1.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/Web_11.jpg

2.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/Web_2.jpg

3.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/Web_3.jpg

4.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/Web_4.jpg

5.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/Web_7.jpg

6.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/Web_9.jpg

7.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/Web_6.jpg

The rest are located here.
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/jj3kgt/Robbie%20and%20Chelsie/

Thanks!

[Kirstin]

I think you did an amazing job. I like 1, 3 and 5. My suggestion would be to up the contrast a tad in #5.

[FamilyJules]

I see some of your WB issues, but for a first e-session, I think these are nice! #4 rocks for me! (I love the texture of the wall there, and your WB is pretty spot on there as well)
Not a fan of the posing in the last one, as it looks like she thinks he's a dumbass, lol... I try not to use poses with alot of space between my subjects for e-sessons..... this is about lovey-dovey stuff and being close.... there are always exceptions to this, of course.
I love the pose in #1, but your color seems a little flat, and I can see the focus fell from her face a little (which is easy to do)

If you had an "ok" for other to help with a simple edit on your photo, you would probably learn some nice tricks.... I know I did. The lessons people give you on here are invaluable.

All in all, I think you did a good job, and your subjects seem to be very comfortable with you.... and that's one major KEY to making in this industry!

[jasr]

Thanks a lot.

The last one I told them to sit on the stone and that was before they got close, they were great and just did a lot of random stuff on there own.

It is OK to edit anything and le tme know what you did, I'll even supply you with the RAW if you want! :p

Any tips on nailing the WB? I keep sliding it back and forth and the changes are minimal and after staring at the monitor for a couple of hours...

[tkanetwo]

I think you did a great job. good shots!

[Eliza_Day]

2 & 4 is lovely!

[Svetlana]

These are very nice! The girl has a pretty cool tatoo on her anckle, do you have a photo of it? Or the shooes so the tatoo is visible? It'd be interesting to see.

[4mr4do4sho]

1. Her face is out of focus. Greater DOF would have helped here.
2. She is standing at "attention" and doesnt look very natural. The concept of the picture is cool, but it looks too posed.
3. Cute and looks more natural. Bump the contrast and maybe mess with curves to make it pop.
4. Again good natural shot, but I would be curious to see what it would look like with the bushes cropped out.
5.Nice bokeh on the this one. Again needs a "pop" factor to it.
6. Great pose and framed well.
7. Not sure about this one. Her look isn't flattering. The windows and rails in the background are not very pleasing.

You did good for your first one. I am no pro, but I see a lot of the mistakes I made from my first e-session in your first session. It can all be fixed through practice. Check settings and your environment before taking the shot. Work on PP'ing to give your pictures that "pop" and you will be OK in the end. Thanks for sharing.

[jasr]

I'll try to get a picture of the tattoo next time she is over.

Number 2 is supposed to reflect the statue behind them. Is it still so posed?
Number 7 was just thrown in there because they were being goofy.

What do you recommend to "make it pop more?" I just need some help in pp.

Thanks,
James