Kids' birthdays

Hello my fellow photographers,

I didn't post anything in a while and for a reason; it's now a year since i officially became a photographer and i was wondering if i made some noticeable progress, in your opinion. You can find one of my first gigs in this thread https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1185377 so you can take a peek to make a comparison.

P.S. I try to "enforce" a photo journalistic style whenever i can, since it is my style of choice rather than a "look me in the lens" philosophy

Thank you all in advance for comments and criticism.

#1

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And four more

#7

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I love taking candids, in this set number 2 is my favorite, but your "older" set overall seems better to me...

tmoore323 wrote in post #15081584
I love taking candids, in this set number 2 is my favorite, but your "older" set overall seems better to me...

Thank you for your comment Would you mind telling me what in particular did you prefer in the first set, compared to this newer one?

These are all super shots - and this coming from someone who isn't a people photo person
Don't be afraid to clone out (or crop) distractions around edges like the young hand above. I usually ask people to remove sunglasses in family or portrait shots (couple and baby). Some of your whites are overexposed.
Very nice shots...nicely framed.....your 2nd set appears to be less "snap shot" perhaps.

Even Candids sometimes need a hand in composition, light and straight horizontals?
I like the little girl laughing(#6), best for me out of all of them.With this many photos, numbering them is helpful.

HEBPEME wrote in post #15082403
Thank you for your comment Would you mind telling me what in particular did you prefer in the first set, compared to this newer one?

Most of this set is soft, and very cluttered - the last set they seem a lot sharper and better compositions.

Spike44 wrote in post #15082960
These are all super shots - and this coming from someone who isn't a people photo person
Don't be afraid to clone out (or crop) distractions around edges like the young hand above. I usually ask people to remove sunglasses in family or portrait shots (couple and baby). Some of your whites are overexposed.
Very nice shots...nicely framed.....your 2nd set appears to be less "snap shot" perhaps.

Thank you very much, Spike! I am glad you like the shots
You're absolutely right about the distractions suggestion; however, on that particular photo with that kid's hand, i couldn't crop it out since it takes a large portion of the frame But i like the moment of that little girl laughing so much, that i left it as it is
As for the whites, you could be right. I will check the histogram.
Thanks again

I like all your shots, this is the style of people photography I prefer, and practice. This is story telling photography, which isn't always about being the most perfectly sharp or composed image, it is about capturing emotion, or a moment in someone's life. Your photo's capture the essence of your subjects, and conveys their feelings. The first set are more candid, while the second set is a little more posed, both sets are great! Please number your photo's so people can reference them, but the little girl with the white dove, I can hear her laughter... Great work. -rick

HEBPEME wrote in post #15093492
Thank you very much, Spike! I am glad you like the shots
You're absolutely right about the distractions suggestion; however, on that particular photo with that kid's hand, i couldn't crop it out since it takes a large portion of the frame But i like the moment of that little girl laughing so much, that i left it as it is
As for the whites, you could be right. I will check the histogram.
Thanks again

Just to be clear...I meant the small hand in the colour photo of the couple with sunglasses (nono) and baby. The other hand you speak of contributes to the that shot.
As I said - check your photo edges for things peaking out that distract.

The second to last shot is a major cleavage shot, try not to have your subjects leaning over like that; pull up a chair for her.

Love the second shot, very well done.

Flo wrote in post #15083085
Even Candids sometimes need a hand in composition, light and straight horizontals?
I like the little girl laughing(#6), best for me out of all of them.With this many photos, numbering them is helpful.

Thank you Flo.
You're right. I did forget to straighten the horizon on the B&W one with that little girl laughing. Composition wise, sometimes it is really difficult to have a good composition if you're focusing on the subject that moves a lot all the time (kids), so you have to work with what you have in your frame at the given moment and cropping isn't always the answer but i agree with you. I am just not sure which particular suggestion regarding light did you make.

alazgr8 wrote in post #15093579
I like all your shots, this is the style of people photography I prefer, and practice. This is story telling photography, which isn't always about being the most perfectly sharp or composed image, it is about capturing emotion, or a moment in someone's life. Your photo's capture the essence of your subjects, and conveys their feelings. The first set are more candid, while the second set is a little more posed, both sets are great! Please number your photo's so people can reference them, but the little girl with the white dove, I can hear her laughter... Great work. -rick

Thank you so much, Rick. It really means a lot
Just like you said, moment over composition and technical perfection. An ideal photo would be the one to have it all but i am still learning and with each gig i do, i learn something new. However, some things constantly slip my eye and i have to start paying attention. Second set does have more posed photos than usual but that is because of my sister in law. She insisted on me taking those kinds of photos since we're friends and i photographed her daughter's birthday for free (naturally).
As for the girl with the dove, that is my absolute favorite and i am very glad you like it!

basic flair wrote in post #15094363
The second to last shot is a major cleavage shot, try not to have your subjects leaning over like that; pull up a chair for her.

Love the second shot, very well done.

Thank you, sir.
You are right about the cleavage but it was her idea to stand like that next to her husband. I think it was quite intentional However, it is my sister in law and i wanted to be as forthcoming as i can

Spike44 wrote in post #15094291
Just to be clear...I meant the small hand in the colour photo of the couple with sunglasses (nono) and baby. The other hand you speak of contributes to the that shot.
As I said - check your photo edges for things peaking out that distract.

Now it's clear I also find the hand in the B&W one to be a part of that shot in general. Thank you for the suggestion and i will, most definitely, pay more attention in future.