First paid photoshoot. C&C please

[Ran_photography]

Took pictures of my hair cutter's kids. Hope she likes em.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4129553920_eb7cf25c3a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4129568696_197f09b57b_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4129555990_83d425f26e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/4129556622_8d16c12354_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/4129557446_65c9926ee4_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/4129559456_dd3f45615e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/4128793487_16f25894f1_b.jpg

I just loved this one in BW
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4129576086_24414fe418_b.jpg

[pete crawford]

I really like the 3rd picture! I'm not sure what it is about the others that hit me just a little wrong, but the 3rd one is really a good pic to me!

I'm finding out that portaiture is a tough thing.

Pete

[suecassidy]

I thought they were all great, really. Gorgeous backgrounds, terrific composition, love the way you framed each kid in the brick arch way. Very natural expressions, except for the girl in one of them. That is REALLY hard to get out of a boy that age but he looks relaxed and content. Great job. I might have put them a bit closer together on the brick wall shot, maybe? Also, watch for the detail stuff. His shirt is bunched up at the shoulders on that shot and could have been pulled down. That is nit picky, but it's the little details that stick out sometimes. I think my favorite is the one on the bridge on their bellies with the house in the background. That will look even better when it is enlarged. beautiful. The mother of these two should be thrilled over the moon with these shots, really. Good work!!!

[Kimmy T]

I think you did a wonderful job and mom is going to be super pleased!! You captured some great expressions. There are a couple of things that I noticed that kind of bother me. In all of the photos with the arch, there are some leaves poking out of the right hand side that my eye seems to be drawn to, maybe try removing them. On the fifth photo the boy's face is sharper than the girl, maybe try sharpening just the girl. My fav is photo #3, I love her expression and the contact she has with the camera!! Overall if these were photos of my kids I'd be thrilled to pieces!!!

ps. if you number your photos, it makes easier when referring to a photo.

[Ran_photography]

Few more
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/4128799139_a46491e348_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4129555034_5d08262c92_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4128808305_fa8e09f3c1_b.jpg

I know this would've been better if he was closer to the water, but the ground was soaking wet everywhere besides where he's sitting.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4129199641_b21e2b5247_b.jpg

[tmalone893]

First of all, just let me say that I think your posing and backgrounds are great. Number 3 is the best all around photo because many of the others seem slightly out of focus. Outside of that I think you did a good job.

[Ran_photography]

Wow that's surprising! This is my first go at posing. I'm glad to hear I did a good job.

[sctbiggs]

really like 3 and the later one of the boy in the same spot. i think those are the best. 4 and 5 though, toss them. also, don't know how your photoshop abilities are, but maybe get rid of that plaque in the first one.

something like this. ooh, also leveled it out a bit and adjusted some curves and color

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/nine7grand/plaquegonelevel.jpg

[Ran_photography]

Yeah I've tried to get rid of it but it still shows up with a ghostly outline. But what exactly is wrong with 4 and 5?

[sctbiggs]

Yeah I've tried to get rid of it but it still shows up with a ghostly outline. But what exactly is wrong with 4 and 5?

sorry, meant 5 and 6. This is why you should number the photos. The girls focus is way off in 5. (slow shutter speed perhaps?) No amount of sharpening will help it. 6, something looks off with the upper part of her face. I don't know what though as the lower part looks fine. It could very well just be my eyes. i edited that first one. also, forgot to mention, overall, you did great. posing is the hardest part for me. I hate it. probably why i dont do much posing work.

[Prairiemaiden]

Great pictures Ran. I think the waterfall is distracting in all of them. In #4 the waterfall is sharp and the subject is out of focus. My eyes are drawn to the waterfall instead of the little girl. In the second to last picture the waterfall draws your attention again and it flows right out of the photo. The landscape is beautiful but the children should be the focus of the portraits. What lens did you use? The 50mm 1.8 is hard to get the focus spot on. Takes a lot of practice. Very nice portraits for your first shoot!

[B.Miller]

Good lookin pics! Where are you in SC?

[Ran_photography]

North augusta

[mastodona7x]

Good looking kids, but for me the smiles in some look too forced and unnatural, in contrast the one in black and white with the laughter is far more natural looking, thats my favourite of the set too :)

[Ran_photography]

Thanks everyone. Yeah, the girl's smile was much more natural than the 14 yr old's.

[Kimmy T]

sorry, meant 5 and 6. This is why you should number the photos. The girls focus is way off in 5. (slow shutter speed perhaps?) No amount of sharpening will help it. 6, something looks off with the upper part of her face. I don't know what though as the lower part looks fine. It could very well just be my eyes. i edited that first one. also, forgot to mention, overall, you did great. posing is the hardest part for me. I hate it. probably why i dont do much posing work.

I have to say I don't agree with this at all. On photo#5 you can do selective sharpening on the girl to make her look in focus. I'd change the crop for #6 and lighten her up a bit. Hope you don't mind but I had a play with 3 of your photos to show you what I mean. The one of them on the bridge could also do with a bit of lightening up and selective sharpening. You should be able to get better results since you have the full size versions of these photos. If these were my photos I'd crop some of them in tighter. There is alot of elements that are distracting me away from the subjects! But they are not mine so you do what makes you happy.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/yorkiekisses/4129557446_65c9926ee4_bcopy.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/yorkiekisses/4129556622_8d16c12354_bcopy.jpg

with a tighter crop
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/yorkiekisses/4129556622_8d16c12354_bcopycopy.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/yorkiekisses/4129559456_dd3f45615e_bcopycopy.jpg

[wookie6262]

Really like no. 3 but quite a few look slightly out of focus to me

[sctbiggs]

I have to say I don't agree with this at all. On photo#5 you can do selective sharpening on the girl to make her look in focus. Hope you don't mind but I had a play with 3 of your photos to show you what I mean. You should be able to get better results since you have the full size versions of these photos.

Still looks out of focus. Maybe I need glasses. Even if adjusted on the full resoultion images, it will still more than likely be noticable on any decent size print.

[kompakt]

Really like no. 3 but quite a few look slightly out of focus to me

i have to agree also..you still did a nice job regardless..