baby shower..

i got 289 pics.. i know.. think rules are like 7 then if asked for more.. so ask away

says allowed to post 8 pics... and i numbered them.. but it is picking it up as 10????
so 2 posts
newbie at this.. and sun made it tough.. inside was ok.. outside under tent challenge and in sun even more...

1. the mom to be seeing someone she hasnt seen in a while..

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191455330/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191455774/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191456696/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191456884/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191457064/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191457584/

7. fonzette

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191457756/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56197228@N05/7​191458576/

more more flash

Pixil Studio wrote in post #14426314
more more flash

really.. then i would have had a white page!!!! hah..
no i get ya... yeah some of the pics under the 10x10 were direct flash while others were diffused...
back to the learning board...

sorry, but these are quite terrible. Standing out in the harsh sun and snapping a picture on Auto rarely gets a good photograph. First off, try putting them in the shade and shooting on Av with the smallest f-number (like 3.5 or 5.6 if you're zoomed in). That will get you started. For instance, compare the shadows on her chin and eye sockets in picture #3 and #4.

Also, I now see that you have a 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8. These are both great lenses, use them for "portrait" specific pictures. The zoom are great for fast changing action and quickly varying from wide angle to standard or standard to telephoto. You certainly have what you need for great pics (24-105 and 85mm are both really great lenses!).

gtrag94 wrote in post #14432116
sorry, but these are quite terrible. Standing out in the harsh sun and snapping a picture on Auto rarely gets a good photograph. First off, try putting them in the shade and shooting on Av with the smallest f-number (like 3.5 or 5.6 if you're zoomed in). That will get you started. For instance, compare the shadows on her chin and eye sockets in picture #3 and #4.

Also, I now see that you have a 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8. These are both great lenses, use them for "portrait" specific pictures. The zoom are great for fast changing action and quickly varying from wide angle to standard or standard to telephoto. You certainly have what you need for great pics (24-105 and 85mm are both really great lenses!).

I hate to agree, but you make some good points. It doesn't look like there was much thought put into composition; every photo is centered or cropped too tight to matter. Doesn't look like much, if anything, was done in post. I'm going to be harsh because people were harsh with me and it's what makes you become a better photographer. These look like snapshots that could've been taken by Aunt Sue or Uncle Bob. None of the angles or poses are very flattering to any of the subjects. In the one where she's sitting down, the only thing I can see are the dirty bottoms of her shoes. Every time you shoot you learn something and put one or two things away that you will remember till next time. Just remember to be present and really think about composition and things like flattering the subject. And I agree with the other poster, shooting with the sun at your back and shining in their face causes squinting and shadows around the eyes, etc. It would be better in the shade or even shooting into the sun and using a flash for fill would be better. Keep at it though and keep improving.

appreciate it all guys.. no offense taken and since it wasnt a paid deal.. family... no complaints...

however.. i didnt shoot in auto.. i shot in M...
i do agree on shadows and composition...
to the not shoot in direct sun.. well that back yard doesnt have anything else... no trees... so no shot there..

well ill be back at it more again...
i did some post.. ,not much.. felt that i didnt want to over process...

TeleFragger wrote in post #14437483
i do agree on shadows and composition...
to the not shoot in direct sun.. well that back yard doesnt have anything else... no trees... so no shot there..

noo put you could turn so the sun is behind them therefore casting an even shadow on their face

Pixil Studio wrote in post #14437969
noo put you could turn so the sun is behind them therefore casting an even shadow on their face

And use flash for fill

Im sorry but these look like snapshots to me.

You have over 2000 posts on this forum, so im not sure what your specialty is when it comes to photography, but im afraid its not people. I see white balance issues, under exposure issues, subjects facing harsh sunlight and squinting, softness & poor composition.

I hope not offend, but its just what i see..

Also, just as another note; it's sometimes best to just be a fly on the wall at something like this and capture real moments. These all look like they were directed by you or someone else and not organic. Especially with a shot like #8, if it happens, great, but if not, I'm not sure you need to set it up. Maybe it's the photojournalist in me coming out but I'm not big on setting up shots too much.

supernova74 wrote in post #14439385
Im sorry but these look like snapshots to me.

You have over 2000 posts on this forum, so im not sure what your specialty is when it comes to photography, but im afraid its not people. I see white balance issues, under exposure issues, subjects facing harsh sunlight and squinting, softness & poor composition.

I hope not offend, but its just what i see..

no offense taken.. this is a hobby for me.. my specialty if you want to call it that... is my kids sports. night hockey and soccer...
so people is not really it when it comes to stuff like this...
it was for my niece.. they asked for me to snap pics... i said no problem...

white balance issues - working on that... trying to get better on WB.. has been my downfall...
under exposed.... ok..
harsh sunlight and squinting.. unless i used the house shade..the entire yard is open with no trees.. other than the tree line that was in the pics... no shade anywhere else.. not sure what i could have done on that one...
softness - ok... maybe missed focus...
poor composition... well definitely as I did not direct anyone how to stand, look, etc... i was not the only one taking pics.. about 8 people with cell phones were too... i definitely dont know people composition...

elrey2375 wrote in post #14440233
Also, just as another note; it's sometimes best to just be a fly on the wall at something like this and capture real moments. These all look like they were directed by you or someone else and not organic. Especially with a shot like #8, if it happens, great, but if not, I'm not sure you need to set it up. Maybe it's the photojournalist in me coming out but I'm not big on setting up shots too much.

1, 4, 5, 7 were all candid.. i didnt stage any of them.. 8.. they were taking pictures.. and i looked over.. and took one through the phone.. while some dont like that (seems you dont) ... others do... i personally like it... so snapped it while someone else was taking a pic...


i appreciate it all.. i have a long way to go... i dont want to take people at events.. i wasnt going to take my camera.. but i was asked too....

the only way i can get better is to understand and keep at it...

i used my 24-105 as i figured a large group picture.. had preggo in the middle and 3 on each side.. i didnt think my 85mm @ 2.2 would be a good idea... so figured the 24-105 at f4-f7 would be a better choice.. guess i was wrong???
appreciate the comments..

and dont stop now... if you have any others.. shoot..!!! ill read back later and try and compile all my mistakes up..

go outside on a sunny day around the same time of day as this baby shower. or, even better, take someone outside. Rotate them around, 360 degrees and always look at their face. You'll see, in certain directions, they are looking toward the sun and have harsh shadows. The opposite direction, the sun will be behind them and their face will not in be harsh shadow. Just look at the ground and see which way the shadows are falling. Have their shadow point toward you. Even at noon (unless you're at the equator), this works.

supernova74 wrote in post #14439385
Im sorry but these look like snapshots to me.

You have over 2000 posts on this forum, so im not sure what your specialty is when it comes to photography, but im afraid its not people.

LOL, I was thinking the same thing.

But like everyone else I think you would have greatly benefited from a fill flash or maybe even a reflector. Although I have no experience with reflectors I've seen a good friend of mine effectively use one. Good luck

cards42 wrote in post #14443244
LOL, I was thinking the same thing.

But like everyone else I think you would have greatly benefited from a fill flash or maybe even a reflector. Although I have no experience with reflectors I've seen a good friend of mine effectively use one. Good luck

It's not rocket science