My first client, how did I do?

fritzichic · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

This was my first client a few months ago. I am trying to build a portfolio before charging, so I did this for free. My focus has improved drastically since I did this shoot, thank heavens. How am I doing on composition and post processing?

These were shot using the xTI and a 430ex bounced flash to balance the natural light coming from the window.

evorgsumaf · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

I love the colored picture with baby under moms chin. (pacifier in mouth). You should be very happy with it, I know the parents will be. Good job all around.

I only wish that in the first picture, moms lips were actually kissing baby on the cheek. Very minor, again they all are very good.

etherguy · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

#4 is a great shot. Very magazine like!

Keep up the good work!

killerbab · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

i like 1 and 4 the best.

p3photogal · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

You did very well! Congrats! #1 is my favorite

Bootsie · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

Very good!

trantz · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

WOW these look AMAZING. love your style.

notapro · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

I think those are fantastic, and especially for your first shoot. I would be over the moon with these shots if I were the mom, and I would certainly not shy away from booking you if I saw them in your portfolio. lovely work!

trialanderror · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

Great job!
May I ask what you did for post processing? I love the look!...sorry if its totally obvious to everyone else, but I'm a pp rookie!

TSEE · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

Those turned out awesome! I'd say you're ready to go.
What did you do in PP if you don't mind me asking.

ldibo · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

Great shots! They do look like something out of a magazine. Please share your pp, it's great!

RedHot · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

The first and the last pictures have too bright a skin for me. And I see from the exif the shutter speed for both was 1/25 with a 50mm lens which is pretty slow for shooting people - especially kids as they can move quickly if they are fussy. I would go with 1/60 shutter speed as a minimum for a 50mm lens. Faster shutter speeds are needed for kids that are not sitting still and want to leave.

fritzichic · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

Redhot thanks for the comments. I actually took these shots 7 months ago and have since learned exactly what you advised. The low ss is what caused 80% of my photos to be very out of focus that day. My focus has definitely improved since then. I have also been on the edge for those 2 photos you mentioned. I will darken the skin a bit.

As for my pp, this is my workflow

Lightroom> basic edits like white balance and exposure

PS- Lab Sharpening method, then I do selective color adjustment layer (different for every photo), flatten, soft light layer with medium low opacity, flatten, vignette the edges with an action I have and adjust to make it look natural, flatten, duplicate layer, gaussian blur at 20.2 pixels and very low opacity, mask out the areas that you want sharper, flatten.

That is pretty much it, I might do curves if it still needs it, but usually I am pretty happy without it. Also I do use the healing brush during my process as well. My workflow isn't something that I can make into an action. However, now that I have an outline of what I do I find that my editing goes much faster. I know it sounds like a lot, but when you are in the flow it does go pretty quickly.

I hope this helps instead of confuses you. Ask if you have questions. I didn't explain exactly how to do everything but I did give you key words that you can put in google and find out more. Photoshop Youtube tutorial videos have really helped me. If your new to PS, just take time to learn about all the buttons on the layers palette, that is the palette I use the most. Experiment on a picture and don't be afraid to screw it up, you can always start over and it is really important to understand what each thing does.

fritzichic · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHot

The first and the last pictures have too bright a skin for me. And I see from the exif the shutter speed for both was 1/25 with a 50mm lens which is pretty slow for shooting people - especially kids as they can move quickly if they are fussy. I would go with 1/60 shutter speed as a minimum for a 50mm lens. Faster shutter speeds are needed for kids that are not sitting still and want to leave.

Redhot, are these adjusted pics better?

swimchic · 23rd of October 2007 (Tue)

Well I'm not RedHot, but I think those ones look better, much sharper. I love the B&W, but I think you did great on all of these ! You should definitely put these in your portfolio

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#2
evorgsumaf Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In Great Falls MT Posts: 932 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? I love the colored picture with baby under moms chin. (pacifier in mouth). You should be very happy with it, I know the parents will be. Good job all around. I only wish that in the first picture, moms lips were actually kissing baby on the cheek. Very minor, again they all are very good. __________________ Brandon

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#3
etherguy Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: East End, Long Island Posts: 43 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? #4 is a great shot. Very magazine like! Keep up the good work! __________________ Canon 30d + 350D - 18-55, 24-70L, 50 1.8, 85 1.8, 17-85IS, 70-300

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#5
p3photogal Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 172 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? You did very well! Congrats! #1 is my favorite

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#6
Bootsie "Dang! I am a loser" Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 3,238 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? Very good! __________________ {Brooke} Canon 50D Gripped\| 85 1.8\| 100 2.8 macro\| 17-85 IS\| 50 1.8\| 70-200 F4 L IS!! ---My Gallery--- ~My Blog~ All My Gear

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#7
trantz Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Detroit, Windsor, Kitchener or Toronto, sometimes all in the same day Posts: 120	Re: My first client, how did I do? WOW these look AMAZING. love your style. __________________ troy shantz is trantz photography Portfolio 5D+BG, 20D+BG, 350D+BG -- 24-70 2.8L, 50 1.8, Sigma 12-24 -- ST-E2, 420EX, 550EX -- a few tricks up my sleeve

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#1
fritzichic Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 79 IMAGE EDITING OK	My first client, how did I do? This was my first client a few months ago. I am trying to build a portfolio before charging, so I did this for free. My focus has improved drastically since I did this shoot, thank heavens. How am I doing on composition and post processing? These were shot using the xTI and a 430ex bounced flash to balance the natural light coming from the window. Last edited by fritzichic : 23rd of October 2007 (Tue) at 09:07. Reason: Adding my setup

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#4
killerbab Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Middle of Nowhere, WI Posts: 265 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? i like 1 and 4 the best.

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#8
notapro Goldmember Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario Posts: 2,540	Re: My first client, how did I do? I think those are fantastic, and especially for your first shoot. I would be over the moon with these shots if I were the mom, and I would certainly not shy away from booking you if I saw them in your portfolio. lovely work! __________________ Amanda Ontario Wedding Photographer \| My Blog

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#9
trialanderror Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 198 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? Great job! May I ask what you did for post processing? I love the look!...sorry if its totally obvious to everyone else, but I'm a pp rookie! __________________ -Sarah Rebel XTi - Tamron 17-50mm - 430ex

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#10
TSEE Goldmember Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Middle of Nowhere, USA. Posts: 4,961 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? Those turned out awesome! I'd say you're ready to go. What did you do in PP if you don't mind me asking. __________________ -Sue (TSEE) My gear list finally got too long to list under my sig. "All of us have photographic memory, some of us just don't have film." "I hate cameras. They are so much more sure than I am about everything."

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#11
ldibo Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 325 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: My first client, how did I do? Great shots! They do look like something out of a magazine. Please share your pp, it's great! __________________ Lynn

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#12
RedHot User is banned from forums Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 992	Re: My first client, how did I do? The first and the last pictures have too bright a skin for me. And I see from the exif the shutter speed for both was 1/25 with a 50mm lens which is pretty slow for shooting people - especially kids as they can move quickly if they are fussy. I would go with 1/60 shutter speed as a minimum for a 50mm lens. Faster shutter speeds are needed for kids that are not sitting still and want to leave.

23rd of October 2007 (Tue)	#15
swimchic Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1,378	Re: My first client, how did I do? Well I'm not RedHot, but I think those ones look better, much sharper. I love the B&W, but I think you did great on all of these ! You should definitely put these in your portfolio __________________ -Jeni My Website - My Blog - Flickr 5D Mark II - 24-70 - 100 Macro - 580 EX II - 430 - Radio Poppers - CS4

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