Please cc on processing

[Kerilynn]

I am wanting to start a business in child & family photography next year, and would like some feedback on the processing of these so I know if I am headed in the right direction - many thanks!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4048438175_a066f29ae1.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/4048438383_3631492326.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/4049185786_447a5be18a.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/4049193184_76b37d00af.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/4048446155_5b22f7d48f.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/4048446281_81698a8a6b.jpg

[Jm Photography]

what did you do to the eyes? it's kinda of weird but nice at the same time, very vibrant!

[Kerilynn]

I brightened them, bit of dodge & burn and sharpened them. Too much?

[Jm Photography]

a bit too much i think but overall they are good!

I am not sure if this helps or not but I know of a good photoshop action that works wonderfully for children's photography!

[Kerilynn]

do tell?

[Jm Photography]

http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/2008/08/coffeeshop-powderroom-free-action-is.html

works for me when i edit model photography too!

[Yossarian22]

Foreground is okay but a lot of blown highlights on background

[D Thompson]

I brightened them, bit of dodge & burn and sharpened them. Too much?
For me - yes. Scale it back a little. Just as skin is not plastic - eyes aren't glass. Also, watch your crops - you want to leave enough room to print the popular sizes (5x7, 8x10).

[Nessa1]

I agree that the eyes are a bit overly processed. I also think your images lack a tiny bit of contrast ;-)

[710 Studio]

You may want to take lighting into consideration if this is something you wish to do as a business. Your backgrounds are blown out, but yet, your subjects are properly exposed. The way to fix this issue is to light your subjects, so you can get those backgrounds darker (and by doing so, the eyes are drawn to your subject, rather than the background).

Other than that and the already stated "pull back on the post processing, just a tad", I think these turned out nice. Great job focusing on where the focus should be... I think by next year, you'll have it down to a science!

[joedlh]

They're all blue in my monitor. I presume the shirt on the last three and the hairband in the first few were white?

Why did you cut off parts of the head in many of them?

Don't shoot in mottled shade (#4). You get blown highlights wherever the sun insinuates itself.

Lastly, as you did for the last two, but not the first ones, get down to the child's level. Looking-down shots look awkward because you force your subjects to look up.

[Kerilynn]

Thanks all for your comments! I appreciate the advice. I have just got my flash so will be experimenting with that so the backgrounds aren't blown out. Will definitely tone down the eyes!

[Lunajen]

Idid a bit of playing around withthese and I hope they turned out ok....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/4048438175_a066f29ae1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/4048438383_3631492326.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/4048446155_5b22f7d48f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/4048446281_81698a8a6b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/jenduffy/4049193184_76b37d00af.jpg

[Kerilynn]

what did you do? It looks like you've added some yellow?

[Lunajen]

I added some yellow , some red. Adjusted levels. Added a vinegette to some of the shots.

[illrooster132]

not to be rude . but they look weird to me. too much proccessing on the eyes. maybe .

[atlgeek]

I agree with others, tone down the eyes a little and you are golden! :D