omg...someone paid me! Now, tell me if they got their money's worth...

[dawnkyung]

Now, I need you to tell me if you think my pictures were worth the money. This was my first paid shoot that wasn't for someone I knew already...(I've had people pay me before, but they'd seen my work and knew what they were getting)...however, this group actually answered to a posting I made advertising my photographic services. I am really nervous and hope that they like the photos.

Can you guys help me out?

They hired to me to shoot them taking their horses to a lake for a swim.

1.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/IMG_0932.jpg

2.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/IMG_0913.jpg

3.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/IMG_0750.jpg

4.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/IMG_0864.jpg

5.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/IMG_0865.jpg

6.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/IMG_1114.jpg

7.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/_MG_3438.jpg

8.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/_MG_3439.jpg

I know the last 2 images are horribly crooked, didn't mean to do that, but thought they had character that way - so I didn't correct them. What do you think?

[rw2]

If they are happy the got their monies worth.
That said there could be a little post processing done on a few of them to help make them pop.
I would have rather seen the ladies face sharp and the back of the horse blurred on the 6th one.
If you want post processing ideas you need to turn on image editing by going to your CP.

[Moppie]

Please remember only 8 images per thread :cool:

[dawnkyung]

I changed my profile to reflect the image editing.

Sorry about the 8+ photos, for some reason I thought that was just per post lol. Won't happen again.

I spent so long doing pp on these! I guess I'm always afraid to do too much.

[dawnkyung]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/test.jpg

Does this look better?

[-MasterChief-]

good composition on most but i think all of them are underexposed -- by at least 2/3rd to one full stop. fill flash couldve gone a long way in helping with the shadows too. my .02. keep shooting! :)

[dawnkyung]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/test2.jpg

How about this as a fix for the first one? So, I need to use a slower shutter speed?

[cleverer]

get rid of that first one--awkward moment and nothing artistic about it as far as human sitting on horse goes. (pulling on the reins, bad moment of the gait, angle not flattering)

If I were the one getting the pictures, I'd be happy with the 'fun' shots, crooked and everything.

As a photog, i'd want you to sharpen them up a tad, maybe throw some vignettes on, but thats just personal preference.

[cleverer]

also, remember to take a moment and have people stop and look at the camera :)

[Photon Phil]

If they are happy that's what matters.

You had a tough time of day to shoot, the shadows could have been filled by flash. Keep on keeping on. And keep posting.

[rw2]

Here are a few of my ideas. You will get alot of ideas some you will like and others not so much. learn from the ones you like the most.
1. Shadows highlights, rotate,levels, and up saturations
2. Shadows highlighs. curves, and saturation.

[dawnkyung]

Thanks guys. I know that technically I need help...bad.

I'm going to start another thread for some pp opinions. :)

[dawnkyung]

Well...I'll just put it here.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/ayamisuka/test3.jpg

To me, it looks better on the right - but did I take it too far? Too dark on the nose/her hair?

[cdifoto]

Now, I need you to tell me if you think my pictures were worth the money.
I'd say it depends on how much money we're talking. I personally wouldn't put up real pro money for those as I think they look like random snapshots. Tilted photos can work but they have to be obviously intentional. Obvious accidents don't look good. I wouldn't expect to see a horse at a crazy angle, whether intentional or not.

You need to calibrate your monitor somethin' fierce. You cannot honestly process photos on a screen that isn't corrected for color, brightness, and contrast accuracy. If your monitor isn't calibrated you're better off giving them files straight from the camera because you end up making them look worse after futzing around.

Having said that, I'm rather hypercritical and definitely not one to judge whether a client will be happy or not. I always think I've failed miserably after every single shoot until I hear otherwise from my client(s).

[dawnkyung]

Well, we're not talking about a lot of money, that's for sure - I think it worked out to be 5$ an hour after all the time it took, lol.

Thanks for the advice, I definitely need to calibrate my monitor.

[Lightworks Imaging]

If your monitor isn't calibrated you're better off giving them files straight from the camera because you end up making them look worse after futzing around.

Having said that, I'm rather hypercritical and definitely not one to judge whether a client will be happy or not. I always think I've failed miserably after every single shoot until I hear otherwise from my client(s).
Truer words quite possibly have never been typed. I agree. Calibration is a must, and as to never being sure I did well, I'm still not convinced even AFTER I hear it from the client.

[michelgauthierdesign]

well, they got what they paid for!

[Flo]

In your zeal to PP them ;) you managed to make them darker and slightly soft?
They most likely will only choose a select few, so work on the ones you think they will appreciate?

You really did need some fill flash as mentioned.it would have made a world of difference.

[dawnkyung]

I just purchased a 580EX II with an omnibounce!

[Flo]

I just purchased a 580EX II with an omnibounce!

Lol...Wohoo!! Have fun!

[Hot Bob]

It is a good idea to spend some time letting the horse and the flash get to know one-another before you start shooting away. Depending on the horse it can take a couple minutes or a couple hours to get comfortable. If the horses didn't take to the flash, I'd have asked the ladies to remove their visors. Then again...a panic stricken horse in the water would have made some great shots.

Bob

[bensherman2]

Then again...a panic stricken horse in the water would have made some great shots.



I like your style !:lol:

[dawnkyung]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Turns out they were thrilled with the photos, which makes me really happy. Even if they aren't "pro" standards, I was able to capture moments for them that otherwise they would have missed having to worry about who was going to take the pictures, etc.

I had fun and they are pleased, what more could you ask for. And, I think with each shoot I do I learn more and more.

My new flash came today...now I have to go figure that out, lol.

[Hot Bob]

I like your style !:lol:

Thank you. Chaos makes great shots!

[Synenergy52]

I think they have great wet t-shirt contest value. there's just nothing interesting about those shots. but at least you got paid, all that matters

[Apollo11]

They are pretty unique in their subject matter, and I really like what you've captured. Both the horses and woman are having a great time---it is obvious in the images. Like dog owners, horse people are crazy about their animals. Therefore, your clients are guaranteed to love what you've done. Nice job.