couples photo attempt

[hendrickmtscz]

This was my first time shooting couples pictures. Please let me kwnow what you think and what I need to improve on. thanks so much

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k198/hendrickmts1/20090322_95.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k198/hendrickmts1/20090322_108.jpg

[joedlh]

#1 evokes a mood effectively. But only this, as one cannot see their faces. It would be a stronger composition, I think, if cropped more tightly or with the subjects off center.

#2 Great focus on the grass in front of the subjects. Be mindful of which focal points your camera is using. Better yet, take control of them.

[dr1ft]

Besides what Joe said, the expression on the guy's face in #2 isn't working. He's looking at the camera but is squinting so much, it looks like he is looking down (and sad :( ).

[hendrickmtscz]

I see what you are saying about his expression. thats just him lol

[dr1ft]

Yeah, that's the thing -- do you want to capture a natural expression or something that looks better for critics? :)

[hendrickmtscz]

well I dont want him to be fake either...KWIM? I've just seen a lot of photos where people look soo cheesy and fake. def not something I want to pull off.

[hendrickmtscz]

here is one that has a little more expression..well i think so anyway lol
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k198/hendrickmts1/couplespics033.jpg

[tharmsen]

Yeah, it looks like you have all 9 AF point active and the camera is picking the wrong focus point (#2).

Make sure you use the center AF point only (deactivate the others) and focus on their eyes/center of face... then recompose if you must (in One Shot mode of course).

[hendrickmtscz]

Yeah, it looks like you have all 9 AF point active and the camera is picking the wrong focus point (#2).

Make sure you use the center AF point only (deactivate the others) and focus on their eyes/center of face... then recompose if you must (in One Shot mode of course).

sorry but I dont understand what you mean by 9 AF point active. I am real new to this

[buurin]

From your image properties, it looks like you're using a Rebel XS. This camera has 7 autofocus(AF) points. When you look in the viewfinder you will see them as black boxes.(http://img.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XS/ZURVIEWFINDER.GIF)

What tharmsen was saying is that you have the camera setup to automatically choose one of these 7 focus points.

What he was suggesting (and its a good suggestion) is to set the camera to only use the center Auto-Focus(AF) point & 'one shot' autofocus mode. Check out your manual for more details on how to do this. Ultimately when shooting in this mode, you aim the center autofocus point at your subject, halfpress the shutter to lock the focus, recompose the image, then fully press the shutter to take the photo.

[dr1ft]

You'll see 9 squares in your view finder. Each square corresponds to an autofocus sensor. The camera will by default focus on the closest object in your image by using these sensors. You can change which sensors the camera uses in your settings. Try using center-only.

[chauncey]

#2 and #3...he's the object of her affection, but the camera is the object of his affection...

[tharmsen]

From your image properties, it looks like you're using a Rebel XS. This camera has 7 autofocus(AF) points. When you look in the viewfinder you will see them as black boxes.(http://img.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XS/ZURVIEWFINDER.GIF)

What tharmsen was saying is that you have the camera setup to automatically choose one of these 7 focus points.

What he was suggesting (and its a good suggestion) is to set the camera to only use the center Auto-Focus(AF) point & 'one shot' autofocus mode. Check out your manual for more details on how to do this. Ultimately when shooting in this mode, you aim the center autofocus point at your subject, halfpress the shutter to lock the focus, recompose the image, then fully press the shutter to take the photo.
I didn't look at the Exif data... I just assume everyone is shooting with a 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, etc. :)

Thanks for explaining it for him in my absence.

[scorpio_e]

I like the pose and composition in the first one. The harsh shadows are a distraction. Second one..Comp and pose are good. Shadows are a major distraction. I think it throws off the skin color on the woman.

[rsagusti]

#1 is my favorite but agree I wish it was cropped tighter with the couple off to a side (think rule of 3rds)
#2 and #3 are soft, their faces need to be sharper in focus.

[hendrickmtscz]

about the shadows. How would I fix that the next time I do a shoot? Thats for the C&C you all are really helpful!

[itzcryptic]

about the shadows. How would I fix that the next time I do a shoot? Thats for the C&C you all are really helpful!

Use a flash, or use a reflector.

[buurin]

I didn't look at the Exif data... I just assume everyone is shooting with a 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, etc. :)

Thanks for explaining it for him in my absence.

I didnt even know. I was looking for a pdf version of the user manual and happened to see the XS only has 7 points.

The xsi even has 9..

[HappySnapper90]

My critique would be to do your photos at a time with better light. It looks like you shot with the sun high in the sky on a very sunny day which isn't a good combination unless you are shooting a negative film.

And as others have said your point of focus is off in all the photos. Use only the center autofocus point, holding the shutter button down and then recompose after focus is locked.

manual and happened to see the XS only has 7 points.
The xsi even has 9..

The XS has the autofocus system from the XT which is older than the XTi/XSi focusing system. Canon re-used the XT focusing system in the XS to help get its selling price and feature set down.