My first family portrait session

A fellow firefighter asked me to take pictures of his family yesterday while we were on duty. I usually just like taking candids of my family. I told him that I have only taking photos of my family, but I will try my best. I had some practice taking some self family photos in December of last year.
Before I show his family I was wondering if anyone can help with some C&C so I can fix before showing him. I did some quick edits in LR3 and a high pass sharpening in PS. This was all done for free, because I enjoy taking photos and hope to get good at it one day. Thanks POTN for any help...

I like the third one the best.

3rd one is best and the last one looks more like an engagement shot, still a great photo.

1-thicker branches at top right is distracting.
3-pretty cute. The winner of the bunch, I think. I might have softened up where the blown out sky meets the branches ( -90 clarity brush in LR if you use that).

Overall: you need work on lighting your subjects. It seems like you placed the emphasis of your exposure on the environment rather than the subjects (that is: the subjects faces read as underexposed to me. If I had to go with ambient I would have shot a stop brighter for at least 1,2).

You absolutely did the right thing, I think, putting the sun behind them. I would have done the same, and might have exposed as you did--but: I would have added a flash on a lightstand with an umbrella to fill.

kouasupra wrote in post #13988408
I like the third one the best.

Thanks I thought it was at least the sharpest of the bunch.

Bake1tEazy wrote in post #13988444
3rd one is best and the last one looks more like an engagement shot, still a great photo.

Thank you, The Mrs wanted a shot of just them to.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #13988500
1-thicker branches at top right is distracting.
3-pretty cute. The winner of the bunch, I think. I might have softened up where the blown out sky meets the branches ( -90 clarity brush in LR if you use that).

Overall: you need work on lighting your subjects. It seems like you placed the emphasis of your exposure on the environment rather than the subjects (that is: the subjects faces read as underexposed to me. If I had to go with ambient I would have shot a stop brighter for at least 1,2).

You absolutely did the right thing, I think, putting the sun behind them. I would have done the same, and might have exposed as you did--but: I would have added a flash on a lightstand with an umbrella to fill.

Thanks good stuff I appreciate it. Yeah I was a little bummed after loading the images on the computer and seeing them look so underexposed and soft. #3 was at least pretty sharp and I will try and edit what you said.
I need to learn to use off camera flash, get some triggers, stand and umbrella one of these days. I was hoping just to use natural light and adjust camera settings, but I basically just left it on AV, F4 and auto on white balance and ISO.

Number 3 my favourite and I would be inclined to crop even more from the top of the image where the light has been blown . Good work

I like 3 and 4 oh and the mother is one hot subject

As a family photo #3 is the best, but I LOVE #2 the most.. That is such a sweet moment, especially the ecpression of the kids!

Great shots mate! I agree with the above comments but I think they are still really good shots as they are. I really like 3 and 4 and the kids in number 2 are just awesome. I think they will be very pleased. You have a talent for directing people.

I would crop a tiny it off the top of number 3 also, but not much.

Hey thanks everyone, I really appreciate it. I have a lot to learn, and this forum is a great tool to help with that.

Spot metering may have blown out the sky more, but would have exposed them properly.

i HATE you. I've been wanting to take pictures in these blossom trees since I first visited the central valley. OMG I'm so freaking jealous right now. Not fair.

I like them all.. Like said before #3 is my favorite!

I also agree with the exposure being good for the scene but the faces seem to fall a little underexposed.
Maby next time try metereing on the faces, or bumping the over all exposure up in LR

Personally I think even an on camera flash would have hit it dead on.. Even if you could not have gotten the flash off camera, and oncam speedlight probably would have gave just enough fill for the faces etc..

great shots. good job

Wth the underexposed faces you guys are referring to shots 1 and 2 right? Because 3 and 4 look to be exposed just right to me so I'm just curious.