paid photoshoot picture posted

After posting in the talk about photography forum, seems everyone wants to see my result of first paid photoshoot. this was a very difficult shoot. It was cold, everyone wanted to just get done and put coats back on, It was my first time using fill flash with 580ex outdoors, two small children acting up ect. As previously stated I was not happy with the result but they loved it and bought 4 copies of it I already know the poses are bad, lighting is flat ect, but I do think I did a good job with the background. Here is before and after processing. I learned a lot.

Please dont look at before if you are not going to look at the after.

Before
http://www.pbase.com/q​ueenbee288/image/54389​751

After:
http://www.pbase.com/q​ueenbee288/image/54389​827

You really did a good job with your processing. The lighting and color look great. I really like your background selection.

Wow... you did a really good job with it. Just too bad you had to start in such a hole with that original background. You have a lot more patience then I do. Cheers.

You did a great job, I'm not surprised they ordered prints.

Great work. Your processing really improved the shot, and it is no surprise that they liked it.

Excellent job.keep posting Darryl

Canon EOS 350D, 50mm f/1.8, EF S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 USM

wow! didn't know what to expect..but that AFTER photo sure is good! you do have more patience than most people!!!

how long did you PP take? nice job....I am looking to get Photoshop Restoration and Retouching by Katrin Eismann

I think it turned out well, large groups are difficult at best. Much better than I could do I am sure. A tip a photographer friend gave to me about dealing with small children in photos is to let them have a toy or a snack like cheerios in the photo. It keeps them occupied and if the snack is in a nice container it can add a lot to the photo making it look a little more natural as the child may be more content.

With 12 people of different ages how did you all 12 to look at the same spot at the same time? Nice work-post processing really worked for you--and them!

This turned out fine. I hate when people ask me to shoot a family shot like this for all the stated reasons. It probably is a good thing to start with a large group. It could only get easier from here!

Thanks guys for all the comments and suggestions. The processing really didnt take that long as they only wanted the same shot for all for prints. I have quite a bit of experience with photoshop. I have been practicing for about 3 yrs since I first got a point and shoot. Total processing was less than an hour. I just did levels and contrast adjustment, added blue filter, and I cloned out the lines in brick background and painted it. The branches at the top are a brush so i just stamped it on. Easy!

mcs550 wrote:
This turned out fine. I hate when people ask me to shoot a family shot like this for all the stated reasons. It probably is a good thing to start with a large group. It could only get easier from here!

LOL, I hope so!

The one that was best in every other way had the guy in the middle looking down. Everyone of the shots had something wrong with it, I just had to pick the one with the least problems and go with it. When I realized the flash was too much I turned it down and those shots were better poses but dark. I am glad I did it, I learned a lot and the next time I am sure I will learn something else.

Cheerful group: good photo!