Mommy & Daughter

[RinkRat]

Any ideas on how to improve on these?

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze75feo/Gracie/Fill-Flash.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze75feo/Gracie/CRW_5245-Fill-Flash.jpg

[COKE CAN]

Awesome.

[Maureen Souza]

I added some contrast and light.

[grego]

1. Background. My eye keeps dragging to the left side where I see a car. Always be aware of your bg.

2. Fill flash, or some more lighting on the subjects. You want to bring out the highlights a little more.

[MichaelE]

I liked them much better after the fixes... I pretty much have to do the same thing all the time too...

[RinkRat]

I added some contrast and light.

Excellent.

I'll have to try that.

Thank you.


1. Background. My eye keeps dragging to the left side where I see a car. Always be aware of your bg.

I kind of thought it was a bit distracting. I guess I should have cropped it a bit more.

Thanks.

[grego]

I kind of thought it was a bit distracting. I guess I should have cropped it a bit more.

Thanks.

But see, you want to try to pre-crop before you even take the photo so you can make life easier for you. That's where I'd want you to move towards in terms of advice.

[RinkRat]

But see, you want to try to pre-crop before you even take the photo so you can make life easier for you. That's where I'd want you to move towards in terms of advice.

I understand now.

FWIW, my biggest problem is fear/uncertainty/doubt. I know what I need to do, but it all goes out the window, once I turn the camera on.

I get real nervous, and hurry to take the pictures. I worry that the subject is getting annoyed if I take too long. I get real paranoid when others are watching, as well.

If I could get over that, I might actually like the results. On second thought, I wouldn't, because I'm too hard on myself as well.

I don't need photography lessons, I need a shrink. :p

[grego]

Just take your time. I get the same feeling of having to rush from time to time. You just got to do it your way. It'll result in better photos. But another way around that is practice with people you can take time with for sure(your friends!!). :)

[RinkRat]

Just take your time. I get the same feeling of having to rush from time to time. You just got to do it your way. It'll result in better photos. But another way around that is practice with people you can take time with for sure(your friends!!). :)

heh. That's my wife & daughter in the photos, and I still get flustered. :oops:

[pierrot]

On the other hand, if you had taken too much time thinking, framing, this and that, you'd certainly have missed the great expressions of #1.
You got these precious, unposed smiles, now you've got plenty of time to work on the backgrounds and improve the picture.
Your two babes look great on this first one! ;)

[Fer]

I liked the way Maureen added contrast and light. Beautiful images!

[grego]

On the other hand, if you had taken too much time thinking, framing, this and that, you'd certainly have missed the great expressions of #1.
You got these precious, unposed smiles, now you've got plenty of time to work on the backgrounds and improve the picture.
Your two babes look great on this first one! ;)

It's a mix of both, being a little structured, and a little unstructured. :)

[defordphoto]

FWIW, my biggest problem is fear/uncertainty/doubt. I know what I need to do, but it all goes out the window, once I turn the camera on.

I get real nervous, and hurry to take the pictures. I worry that the subject is getting annoyed if I take too long. I get real paranoid when others are watching, as well.

If I could get over that, I might actually like the results. On second thought, I wouldn't, because I'm too hard on myself as well.

I don't need photography lessons, I need a shrink. :p

I am not a people shooter but am foraying into that land. I am finalizing my studio/portable studio setup. I know what you mean about being nervous, but you have to take command and be the director.

The one thing I have learned over the many, many years I have put into this art, is that no matter how nervous I can get, or who I am shooting, I have yet for my brain to explode or anyone within yelling distance to be permanently injured. ;)

The composition of your photos is excellent, but yes, some consideration to the BG is warranted. Been there, done that. We all have. And you could fix that BG issue within Photoshop.

You have two wonderful subjects there and you have the eye. Keep up the good work and be careful not to overprocess your photos. IMO both photos are printable. Maureen's look a little over-processed. Your #2 closeup shot of Mom and Baby is perfect.

Question: Did you do any post-processing on these? And if yes, what? And what with? What were the in-camera settings?

[froman98]

Great shots. I really like the first one. IMHO, the first one would look great framed and matted above the fireplace or something. :) Good job.

On the second shot, I would like to have seen mommy's head fully in the frame and maybe the rest of the daughter's arm. :) Good shot nonetheless.

[LadyHawk]

...I get real nervous, and hurry to take the pictures. I worry that the subject is getting annoyed if I take too long. I get real paranoid when others are watching, as well.

If I could get over that, I might actually like the results. On second thought, I wouldn't, because I'm too hard on myself as well.

I don't need photography lessons, I need a shrink. :p

It's nice to know I'm not alone in the world. Thanks, RinkRat... I couldn't have said it better! :confused:

P.S. I don't know if anyone agrees with me... I think the catchlights in the eyes (second pic) look unnatural. Is it the flash?

[grego]

Ooh i forgot to add. Just have fun. The more fun you have, the less you will worry and be nervous. It really does help, me being the shy one.

[awad]

i removed the car in the backround the best i could for you.

http://www.johnawad.org/carremove.jpg original http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9446&stc=1

[RinkRat]

I am not a people shooter but am foraying into that land. I am finalizing my studio/portable studio setup. I know what you mean about being nervous, but you have to take command and be the director.

The one thing I have learned over the many, many years I have put into this art, is that no matter how nervous I can get, or who I am shooting, I have yet for my brain to explode or anyone within yelling distance to be permanently injured. ;)

The composition of your photos is excellent, but yes, some consideration to the BG is warranted. Been there, done that. We all have. And you could fix that BG issue within Photoshop.

You have two wonderful subjects there and you have the eye. Keep up the good work and be careful not to overprocess your photos. IMO both photos are printable. Maureen's look a little over-processed. Your #2 closeup shot of Mom and Baby is perfect.

Question: Did you do any post-processing on these? And if yes, what? And what with? What were the in-camera settings?

RFMSports,

It means alot to hear a person with as much experience as yourself, has similar issues, and also like my photos. :)


I'll get the EXIF data when I get home tonight. (at "Work" right now)

Post Processing:

Picture #1: I did some Level adjustments, Noiseware(it's habit now), whitened wifey's teeth, and did some Edge Mask Sharpening.

Picture #2: Level Adjustments, & Edge Mask Sharpening.

The more practice I get, the less I find myself doing post processing.



Awad,

Nice work, I could barely tell. Did you use anything special in PS to fix that?



LadyHawk,

Actually, I did not use a flash in that picture. It was taken in a church that essentially had a ton of stained glass windows(blue), & only a single row of regular windows. That row went around the entire building, and is what you see in their eyes.

[stelogic]

not sure if you like this or not .. just played with a few filters and liked the results

http://www.stelogic.com/filter1.jpg

[RinkRat]

Actually, I do. What did you do?

Thanks.


not sure if you like this or not .. just played with a few filters and liked the results

http://www.stelogic.com/filter1.jpg