First attempts - people

[sn4il]

Hi.
Those are my first shots of people ever. I would appreciate all tips and honest critics.

http://www.thoro.net/tom.jpg

http://www.thoro.net/tom2.jpg

http://www.thoro.net/tom3.jpg

mAx

[Photonut29]

I like the first shot the best. I love the composure and the DOF I am not crazy about the last one it looks dark to me but it might be my moniter so I may not be of any help.

[Dante King]

look nice. Welcome to the forums!

[elbirth]

the first is my favorate as well... though I'd like it to have a slightly wider depth of field so the camera is in focus as well

[roanjohn]

HHmmmm.............agree about the saturation.

There also is a lack of interest in these shots............The 1st shot is the best of the bunch in that there is a good play of DOF between the subject taking a photo of his subjects :-) However, the other 2 seemed like regular snapshots to me........maybe if you moved in a little closer to eliminate some of the background space, it would give these portraits a bit more impact.

Ro1

[sn4il]

Thank You for comments. It is great help to improve my skills :)
mAx

[DocFrankenstein]

I would use more of a wide angle and try to capture more of the face of the photog. That would also give you a greater DOF

Why red strap? What camera is it?

[kawter2]

I would use more of a wide angle and try to capture more of the face of the photog. That would also give you a greater DOF

Why red strap? What camera is it?


looks like a 20D strap to me...


Great job on the people shots!! maybe a tad tad tad less contrast, but overall an awesome start

[Fer]

I like number one, great DOF :D
Welcome to the forums.

[sn4il]

Why red strap? What camera is it?


Yes, It is 20D.

mAx

[sixshot]

#1 is neat.

[Ballen Photo]

Hi.
Those are my first shots of people ever. I would appreciate all tips and honest critics.

Hi Max, And WELCOME to the forum. :D
These may be your first people shots ever, but I'm betting that you've played with, or at least studied composition before judging by what I see here. ;)
The first shot is kinda Cool looking. I like your use of DOF in that one as well.
Of the three, I like the third for a general style "People" shot.
-Bruce

[sn4il]

These may be your first people shots ever, but I'm betting that you've played with, or at least studied composition before judging by what I see here.


Ive never had a camera before. I bought 20D 10 days ago :) Of course i studied and tried my best.
Thanks everyone for comments.
mAx

[Ballen Photo]

I bought 20D 10 days ago :) Of course i studied and tried my best.

Close enough! :cool:
Again, welcome to the forum Max. There are a lot of friendly and helpful folks that frequent this board, as well as a lot of photographic knowledge, so this is a good place to hang out while learning. Enjoy. :D
-Bruce

[Huckaback Photo]

Max
A warm welcome to you.

First off no way are these images "Snaps" as comented above, you're already using one of the best techiques known for the portrait photographer....use of sellective focus..depth of field.well done.
I dont like no 1.unless as an image.
no 2 has a good feel about it , the ear right on edge of frame ,unsure about that might be better cropped, then a great profile shot with good separation of the background inclusion of someone there in the distance works fine.

So its no 3 in my view which is the best shot.
2 distractions could be modified and just mod the levels slightly, the word digital shouts and could easilly be toned down or taken out also the person right on the edge of the frame,
do not crop this image as it conveys the enviroment and surroundings .
composition is great/colours and saturation look fine.
well done
Martin (Huckaback Photo)
see what you think my version below.

[sn4il]

Thnx Martin, I like Your version better :)
mAx

[ajbalazic]

I like number three as well. I think his expression is super. Purely natural. Martin's version is great, but I would leave "DIGITAL" in. It is distracting, but more importantly it's tells us a little more about the man in the portrait (IMO).

[kawter2]

Thnx Martin, I like Your version better :)
mAx


Not me, I think Martin's version is to contrasted.. makes the subject look too decreped (sp?)

Maybee it just rubs me the wrong way that tons of people these days edit others work w/o even asking. just my $0.01 but it just seems like we need to ask more before "owining" and reprocessing others work

[fortinaa]

Welcome Max,

It looks like you're off to a good start. I like #1 and 3 the best. Mostly I like the use of DOF in #1, just wish it had a little more. 3 is good, but did appear dark on my monitor as well. Martin's rework brightens it up... but almost to an unnatural point on some areas of the face. Keep practicing and posting.

[ajbalazic]

Maybee it just rubs me the wrong way that tons of people these days edit others work w/o even asking. just my $0.01 but it just seems like we need to ask more before "owining" and reprocessing others work

I respectfully disagree. This is an open forum where we all share the same interest. I can not speak for others, but when I post here, 99% of the time I am looking for feedback. Sometimes an illustration of possible improvements is very handy. The only thing everyone should bear in mind is that you may offend someone with your edit and because of legality issues, you should be prepared to remove it.

[kawter2]

I respectfully disagree. This is an open forum where we all share the same interest. I can not speak for others, but when I post here, 99% of the time I am looking for feedback. Sometimes an illustration of possible improvements is very handy. The only thing everyone should bear in mind is that you may offend someone with your edit and because of legality issues, you should be prepared to remove it.



I completly understand and respect that you are looking for that feed back, but for me to assume that you want me to edit your image (with out you asking for it) could be taken as offensive.

I'm just saying that it might help if we ask, that is all.. but I could be way off base and am i'n no way trying to "Lay down the law... Just expressing my personal feeling on the issue.

**Disclaimer**
The above was submitted with all due respect to anyone involved in this process... I promise, I am not meaning to single anyone out, or be a "punk" in any way

[ayotnoms]

Not me, I think Martin's version is to contrasted.. makes the subject look too decreped (sp?)

Maybee it just rubs me the wrong way that tons of people these days edit others work w/o even asking. just my $0.01 but it just seems like we need to ask more before "owining" and reprocessing others work

I really think Martin's version is an improvement although on balance, I agree with kawter2.

I've seen many revisions that were pretty awful and thought, "what the....is there a drug abuse problem here in Canon photography forum?" LOL

If I thought I had a better idea, I'd ask or email directly to the posting member. Let them decide if they want to repost the revision. But that's just me.

...my 1.5¢

[Ballen Photo]

Not me, I think Martin's version is to contrasted.. makes the subject look too decreped (sp?)

Maybee it just rubs me the wrong way that tons of people these days edit others work w/o even asking. just my $0.01 but it just seems like we need to ask more before "owining" and reprocessing others work

I definitely see and respect your point, and to a large extent I agree with you.
Now, I see Martins rendition as a definite improvement, especially in the eyes, of an already Great shot.
Also, I see Martins PS work presented as more of a "Tutorial" by example, I think presented in this light is OK, if the original poster has no problem with it.
My biggest reason for being here is to learn (aside from hanging out with all these neat people), and it's up to me to sort out how to, who from, and why I will listen to comments by another poster. This is only MY .01 cent. ;)
-Bruce

[Huckaback Photo]

Kawter
I'm sorry if I upset you in some way, this advice given to a new member here was indeed done in good faith, I would totally agree with you that maybe in some intances I should have had the foresight to ask first .
I have just taken a look at some of your images on your Blog site. great work I think some really nice pictorial images.
Now I tell from only a quick glance that your style and indeed great quallity does not need much input from all on here as to how to put together quallity images, your pictures speak for you.
This is just me praisng the work of a fellow photographer.

back in 1973 I was producing what i thought were great 16 x 20 black & white prints, but after entering a competition realised from listening to the judge they were not black & white they were grey and white, but i did not know the difference. and so needed someone to point me in the right direction.
I think the purpose of any advice given here to newer members, should both encourage and point people in the right direction, it's not allways possible to make a first class image from these low res pictures on here
they serve only as a guide, so its up to owner of the picture if he agrees with the advice or not.

I will gladly help anyone needing advice and have taught printing and photography to many over the years.

SN4iL stated
Those are my first shots of people ever, I would appreciate all tips and honest critics.
I have to say its not really me to just put up a post that says...."great shot" or "nice picture" as I'm sure you would agree that would not help someone wanting to get an honest opinion or critique.

I think Ballen Photo.(Bruce ) also realised what I noticed, with the 3 shots from Max ( SN4iL) They all looked as if taken by someone that knew how to put an image together and yet said these were his first shots of people. so we should encourage this natural talent and help in any way pos.
on this ocasion I reposted an image to back up my short tutorial ( its sometimes impossible to describe all with just text,) on reflection maybe i was wrong to do this but i think not.

If Max can gleam some useful info from this great, thats what this is all about helping one another.
Max, I wish you well with your future photography I'm sure you have a natural talent & thanks for the comments,
Martin (Huckaback Photo)





Bruce Thanks Mate I thought you were Spot on)

[sn4il]

Thank You all for great tips. I dont see anything wrong with editing my shots, especially because Im learning photoshop at the same time. Martin's input was very helpful from my view. It let me understand "the rule" of bright face and it also got me to practice PS to achieve similiar effect.
mAx