First attempt at portraits (college formal inside)

[badrotation]

Well, my sister is going to a college formal with her boyfriend (which is her first boyfriend I actually like, since she usually hangs out with the bad crowd. She says she thinks he is the one, and his family is here for two days, hanging out with our family since they are from out of state)

Anyways, this is my very first attempt at portraits. I used natural light, since I dont have any flashes or lights yet.

What do you guys think?

I know I have a few shadows in there.

They are also very pixelated, since I used a crappy batch resizer on them. The originals are very sharp.

http://img61.echo.cx/img61/4755/img4067large6ts.jpg
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/8867/img4069large4cy.jpg
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/1105/img4073large6tc.jpg
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/2567/img4075large2bl.jpg
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/4636/img4080large9ht.jpg
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/710/img4083large9xy.jpg

[Vetteography]

There is only one shot where they actually have a full upper body! Just my amateur opinion, but if you are going to show them from the hips up, you should. Otherwise, crop higher, it won't look so awkward.

[pyterps]

I don't think they are all that bad. They could have been a lot stronger if the poses were better. This takes a lot of practice and search on the web or get books on this subject and you will be amazed at how much better they look. Lighting is also a key.

Just my thoughts,

Dave

[Vetteography]

I didn't mean to imply that they were not good pictures, the kiss one is the best, just that a re-crop would improve them.

[Titus213]

All the images need more contrast. I tried in PS but couldn't get any without destroying skin tones. They appear to be just a bit underexposed. The poses are not relaxed, natural except for the last one.

[exposingmyself]

I used natural light, since I dont have any flashes or lights yet.

I love portraits and natural light.

Natural Light is God's Light. So GREAT job on that choice!
I agree w another's post, either crop higher or lower.
higher at waist and lower-slightly below the knees (arbus is a great study for portraits. can't remember exactly how or where i read it but the german's had termed photos by diane arbus-something like the hollywood 1940's crop because of the way she cropped at the knees. it was an interesting read, can't remember where i read it. someone help me out here).

anyway, the colors in these shots really pop and lighting is amazing. i think if placed in the right areas shadows are forgiven if they're in natual light and if they're not too harsh. you have nice soft shadows here and from what i see, all shadows are where they're suppose to be :D

they both look very happy and you captured that special moment in every picture-BRAVO!

but i think you missed that one shot of them looking into each other's eyes. wondering did you coach a little on asking them how to pose? i'd say something cute like "hey you love birds help give me the money shot, look into each other's eyes (hold hands etc. ). one more..." then praise them lots. anything to help you. later, you'll be happy you spoke up. it was hard for me getting my family & friends use to me behind the camera, now they know if they invite me they're inviting my camera too. and now they're so nicely obedient to my quirky demands. they've put up with worse, me with a camera is the better me. :D

IMO:
No. 1-he looks fab because he's looking into lens (ask people to look into your lens. i think some people don't know where to look at when you're pointing a camera at them esp if it's an slr.) her pretty made up face looked away :(. she has a naturally, round, and soft "Rubenesque" figure (which i prefer than anorexic type mag models) but ask her if she likes that picture of her.

No. 2-MY FAVORITE-NATURAL LIGHT, NATURAL BG, and look at that body language of theirs-fully connected w no space between them. She looks very slimming.

No. 3-again, love the bg-makes her dress pop. love their hands

No. 4-YES! Though they bothed looked away, their smiling and look at that manly hand on her back. Hey, aren't you the brother?

No. 5- love it but you cropped the holding hands :(

No. 6- love it but wished they were looking straight at you with that pose-looks like they're looking at someone else's camera and i bet that picture came out nice. :)

and most importantly, what do they think?

I love portraits, portraits captured on special occasions w natural light. And I very much enjoyed looking at your pictures. Thanks for posting. You're a great brother and photographer!!! And they're a cute couple-can't wait to see your wedding pics of these two ;)



forgive me if a bit much but these pics are inspiring esp this time of year. :D