First Planned "People" Photoshoot with Girlfriend

I am trying to branch out a bit more from automotive photography and want to try my hand at fashion, portrait and event photography. I have been lurking in the People sub-forum for some time now, gathering ideas and technical info as best I can. This past weekend, my girlfriend and I headed down to the Arboretum to shoot a bit and get some practice.

I am consistently blown away by the quality of work that is posted on this forum, and I really love all the naturally lit shots that I see. I decided to do the same, with no off camera flash for the shoot. I did bring along a reflector. Shot with a D700, 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8. I ended up loving the 85 for this purpose.

I have to say, it's harder than it looks! I'm happy with my first attempt, and would love to hear any CC that you more seasoned portrait photogs have for me. Be honest, it will only make me better!

Theo
1

so good shots and great potential - I personally like number 4 - biggest reason is she's smiling. The 1/2 open mouth thing I'm not a fan of but that's just my personal opinion. I really like 5,6, and 7 as well - the lens flare (or over exposure what ever you want to call it) in 5 is really well done - can be hard to do and still have as much details as you see in her face.

Solid potential for sure, well done

I'll give these a go! First off, seeing as she's your girlfriend and, by the looks of it, enjoys being in front of the camera..take full advantage of this!! Shoot as often as the both of you can stand. You have a very good understanding of what you want in your photos and practice practice practice is going to be your strongest ally here.

To start off you have some superb, well fitting photos and some that don't mix too well. #2, 7, 9 (you figured out shooting up the nose ), and 13 don't seem as up to par with your other photos posted. I'm very glad you went with the 85 for these..that buttery smooth bookeh is very pleasing to look at! The first photo is a natural looking pose (could have seen a little more or her other arm, but i think it's ok) showing both her curves and great shoulder, neck, and chin lines. Such a great spot for this photo; lighting is vivid and even and her eyes are remarkable against this background. You're really setting the bar high with the first photo!

Second photo doesn't mix well for me because it's one of those "trying to be sexy" appeals in a non-sexy area. Don't get me wrong, it can be pulled off in a similar area, but pose doesn't work here for me. 'nuff said.

Third photo i would say shares many of the same qualities as the first photo with difference being her eyes aren't as vivid. A mental note i would make is the open mouth knock em dead type look (not sure how else to describe it) works better with the camera shooting above eye level. It just kind of gives off a (hate to say it) boring feel to the model.

Fourth photo helps to back up my previous point; she has a much better slightly open mouth look when the camera is even/above her eye-line. I dig the processing but we've lost her great shoulder lines from this angle. Something to keep in mind for next time.

Fifth photo has the mouth business going on again and an awkward hand position. Just not on par with your previous shots. Sixth photo is another great shot but i would tone down the highlights on her chest. Once it becomes difficult to differentiate her breast from the clothing, it's usually a good time to bring some of that detail back. Have i mentioned that the composition is spot on with every image so far?? Very well done there.

Seventh photo is somewhat similar to the second one..it just doesn't seem to fit too well with the rest of the set. Eighth photo has a whole lot of good stuff going on with it, but the turned degree of her shoulders throws it off a little. Besides that it's a great shot!

Similar to two and seven, your ninth photo just doesn't fit well with the others from the set. The lighting isn't as good and i'm almost more interested in where or what she's looking at off in the woods. You already know what you did with your tenth image however, keep this shot in mind. Had this been taken up near eye level i think this would have been your best image of the set!

Personally, i don't think there's anything overdone about the upside-down shot in photo number eleven. She has a fantastic gaze into the camera that well captures her, again, very vivid eye color thanks to the great lighting. Pardon me if i go too far into this, but this is just one of those awesome, subliminal battle photos. With portraits, we have a tendency to rest our eyes at the top of the image. Well, we all very well know what our eyes are resting on at the top of this image but that look, that stare, the expression and those eyes are just pulling the viewer's eyes down into her intense focus. I honestly love everything about this photo and it has set a new bar for my further critiques (!!) and therefore had decided to stop my critique on this photo Images like this are ones that many others will strive to achieve.

Jay captured it really well.... Great critique. Personally, I LOVE #1 - such a natural look and feel. She's beautiful and seemingly very comfortable in front of the camera... Keep shooting! Can't wait to see more of your work.

talshadar wrote in post #12200947
so good shots and great potential - I personally like number 4 - biggest reason is she's smiling. The 1/2 open mouth thing I'm not a fan of but that's just my personal opinion. I really like 5,6, and 7 as well - the lens flare (or over exposure what ever you want to call it) in 5 is really well done - can be hard to do and still have as much details as you see in her face.

Solid potential for sure, well done

Thank you very much!

JayZ235 wrote in post #12201035
I'll give these a go!...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for that thoughtful and very informative critique! I've read through it a couple times now trying to absorb it all to memory for next time. Great insight on facial features, positioning, composition and other things I hadn't even thought of. This was exactly what I was looking for so that I can continue to get better in this field of photography. I really appreciate you taking all the time you did!

SquireBlueNJ wrote in post #12201106
Jay captured it really well.... Great critique. Personally, I LOVE #1 - such a natural look and feel. She's beautiful and seemingly very comfortable in front of the camera... Keep shooting! Can't wait to see more of your work.

Thanks so much! I'll be sure to keep posting up here as I continue shooting. It was a great change of pace considering that I'm used to shooting a hunk of metal, haha.

Love 1,3,5,6. Would have never thought you were just starting out with portrait work. Great start. Take in the advice given and keep shooting! Your girlfriend is very photogenic and I second the advice to shoot with her more.

p27rpy wrote in post #12201173
Thank you, thank you, thank you for that thoughtful and very informative critique! I've read through it a couple times now trying to absorb it all to memory for next time. Great insight on facial features, positioning, composition and other things I hadn't even thought of. This was exactly what I was looking for so that I can continue to get better in this field of photography. I really appreciate you taking all the time you did!

Glad i could help! One thing..memory works great when mindlessly viewing the internet but the second i step outside to shoot and get wayyyy too excited to hold my camera again i forget everything i would highly suggest writing some or all things you want to work at on a note card and pull it out every..10 shots, or every new location or something. This is where practice really pays off down the road!

I am already looking forward to future portraits from you

Nice man! Im basiclly in the same boat as you (Automotive, Aviation mostly) and am looking to branch out. This gives me hope! lol

JayZ235 wrote in post #12201653
Glad i could help! One thing..memory works great when mindlessly viewing the internet but the second i step outside to shoot and get wayyyy too excited to hold my camera again i forget everything i would highly suggest writing some or all things you want to work at on a note card and pull it out every..10 shots, or every new location or something. This is where practice really pays off down the road!

I am already looking forward to future portraits from you

Good call, I will definitely keep that in mind! The exact same thing happens to me too - in the excitement of shooting, I forget about the small technical elements that I meant to remember. Thanks again for all your help!

DannyWOT wrote in post #12201906
Nice man! Im basiclly in the same boat as you (Automotive, Aviation mostly) and am looking to branch out. This gives me hope! lol

Haha, yeah we can do it! It was very disorienting at first, but if you start with someone you're comfortable with, it makes it MUCH easier. Get out there and practice!

I like the look and feel of your shots. #1 and #5 have great soft tones about them. Granted, your GF's day gig might not be professional model, so take what some say with a grain of salt. However, it is our job as photographer to try and get the best from them while shooting. Lots to remember that's for sure.

Kinda reminds me of shooting my own son's senior pics. Boy, that kid wanted to be ANYWHERE but in front of the lens all three times!!!

Again, like the direction of your shots. Let's hope your camera doesn't wear out its welcome with the GF. She's really pretty!

dave

First one is my fav. I would clone out the hair thats running thru her forehead and the other hair thats going from the middle of her head to her right eye. pretty lady and pretty great!

5 is my fav , dont know why just calls me

You know, the more I look back at this thread, I think #5 is the one for me as well - I find myself drawn back to it...

snyderman wrote in post #12202072
I like the look and feel of your shots. #1 and #5 have great soft tones about them. Granted, your GF's day gig might not be professional model, so take what some say with a grain of salt. However, it is our job as photographer to try and get the best from them while shooting. Lots to remember that's for sure.

Kinda reminds me of shooting my own son's senior pics. Boy, that kid wanted to be ANYWHERE but in front of the lens all three times!!!

Again, like the direction of your shots. Let's hope your camera doesn't wear out its welcome with the GF. She's really pretty!

dave

thanks, dave. i agree that she did a great job! she's never done any type of modeling or shooting at all, so i was surprised at how well she did in front of the camera. no easy task for sure!

tony rage wrote in post #12203226
First one is my fav. I would clone out the hair thats running thru her forehead and the other hair thats going from the middle of her head to her right eye. pretty lady and pretty great!

Good eye, I'll look into that!

Michaelangelo716 wrote in post #12206344
5 is my fav , dont know why just calls me

SquireBlueNJ wrote in post #12206647
You know, the more I look back at this thread, I think #5 is the one for me as well - I find myself drawn back to it...

Thanks very much!

good stuff!