STICKY:  How to photograph a high school Senior

Bill

Really nice work. I like all of them.

Mucormycosis wrote in post #13044593
Just read through this entire thread over the span of three days. I learned so much and took so many notes my head is spinning. You guys rock!
I'm nervous about posting any of my stuff. I'm doing a shoot on the 10th and I'm going to try to keep a small checklist of things I've learned from here in mind. I'll let you see the results.

Btw, I agree with Kouman about those eyes.

I did the same thing. I still take notes to refer to.....but what I have found is it just takes practice practice practice. All the notes have to be in your head to evaluate the scene, lighting, model, pose, etc. or the notes are worthless. You will be surprised how much you have learned by just studying everyones work and the comments. But when it's showtime, you will either go completely blank (like I have done numerous times) or you will look like a genius (rarely happens to me).

So do the shoot and post your work for the pro's here to give input on. It's the best way to learn, imh.

umphotography wrote in post #13045110
Bill

Really nice work. I like all of them.

Completely agree. Very nice. Number 2 is my favorite.

One from last week, was hoping for a more dramatic sky:

wolfden wrote in post #13047601
One from last week, was hoping for a more dramatic sky:

This has a "I'm on top of the world" feel to it. Very fitting for a high school senior about ready to graduate. I like it a lot.


bill

Thanks Bill

kouman wrote in post #13043670
Bill nice shots! But for me the eyes in #2 are a little bit overdone.

umphotography wrote in post #13045110
Bill

Really nice work. I like all of them.

cbknight wrote in post #13045279
Completely agree. Very nice. Number 2 is my favorite.

Thank you everyone for the comments. I have a few more seniors to shoot in the next few days weather permitting. This is a great place to get ideas and suggestions.


bill

I have been reading this forum, and this thread, but haven't found a real good answer to the question of the best photo lab. I am fairly new to photography, only about 2 years of experience, and just started doing senior pictures. A few have requested the foil embossed signature on the wallets, and was looking for suggestions.
Thanks

sgelston wrote in post #13047821
I have been reading this forum, and this thread, but haven't found a real good answer to the question of the best photo lab. I am fairly new to photography, only about 2 years of experience, and just started doing senior pictures. A few have requested the foil embossed signature on the wallets, and was looking for suggestions.
Thanks

hi! welcome to the forum.
in regards to your question. IDK of any lab other than millers thar offers it- maybe others can help. you can buy the machine for major $$$$, or simply create an action to do it for you in ps..

Looking for constructive critisism or comments

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/67134985@N02/6​110863075/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/67134985@N02/6​110860689/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/67134985@N02/6​111404434/

jb_browneyes wrote in post #13047896
hi! welcome to the forum.
in regards to your question. IDK of any lab other than millers thar offers it- maybe others can help. you can buy the machine for major $$$$, or simply create an action to do it for you in ps..

Thanks, I have submitted a registration to Millers, it says it may take a day or two to process. Do you know how their pricing compares to Nations? Also, I have created actions for the effect in the past, but they would still like the actual embossing.

sgelston wrote in post #13047821
I have been reading this forum, and this thread, but haven't found a real good answer to the question of the best photo lab. I am fairly new to photography, only about 2 years of experience, and just started doing senior pictures. A few have requested the foil embossed signature on the wallets, and was looking for suggestions.
Thanks

Only ones I use are:

Bay Photo Lab - http://bayphoto.com/
or WHCC http://www.whcc.com/

sgelston wrote in post #13047964
Looking for constructive critisism or comments

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/67134985@N02/6​110863075/
19 by SteveElston, on Flickr[/IMG]

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/67134985@N02/6​110860689/
15 by SteveElston, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/67134985@N02/6​111404434/
14 by SteveElston, on Flickr

For the first one you needed fill flash to bring up the light on the models front...

...or you need to let the background blow out as the face and front of the model is underexposed.

The second one, just does not work for me at all, the orange hues make the picture look like a badly taken snapshot, and it seems very soft.

The third one has the sand running through the back of her neck and the horizon tilt does not work.


Have you read the book "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson?

How is this? CC appreciated!

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mtimber wrote in post #13048590
For the first one you needed fill flash to bring up the light on the models front...

...or you need to let the background blow out as the face and front of the model is underexposed.

The second one, just does not work for me at all, the orange hues make the picture look like a badly taken snapshot, and it seems very soft.

The third one has the sand running through the back of her neck and the horizon tilt does not work.


Have you read the book "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson?

The second was also not one of my favorites, but she actually liked it. I was using a gold toned solar reflector which produced the orange hue. I had taken some with the fill flash, and her and her mother didn't like the picture as much as this one....I figure the customer is always right...

I have been looking at the photos on this thread and I realize I have a lot to learn about photography, I didn't realize the sand at neck level was a no no, and the horizontal tilt was unintended as that was just the coastline I captured.

Thanks for the feedback, though, as it is really appreciated.