Good honest feedback

Like others have mentioned here, I receive great feedback from friends and family about my photos. I continue to learn so much from the great group of people on POTN and I know I have improved but I need honest critiquing and advice on what needs improving with my photos. I have some opportunities coming up that might just allow me to make a little money from this hobby. So, I've created a watermark and have started adding it to any photos that I've taken for friends and family. This has really spread the word that I'm into photography and several people have been asking what I charge and etc. I'm very nervous about the possibility of charging people for photos especially when I feel my work doesn't stand up to the quality of many others here. Let alone I have no idea what to charge... I've also been approached about shooting team photos and portraits for sports at our high school. I'd really appreciate some constructive criticism.

Here are some various shots that people have liked:

More photos

Some of my niece:

Some of a coworkers granddaughter.

They are nice enough family and friends portraits.

One thing - when you have multiple subjects, pay attention to the aperture that you are using to get the appropriate depth of field. The first shot could have benefited from a narrower aperture, as he is out of focus. If you don't have enough light (which doesn't seem to be an issue here, as you are at ISO 100 and 1/250) to stop down, then step back from the subjects, which will also increase the DOF.

Hello,
I don't post here, so I typically don't like to reply here.
2 (questionable), 4 and 7 appear to be your sharpest images.
I think you might be trying to get too shallow of DOF and it's hurting your images.
I noticed about all of your shots are shot wide open.
Stop down a little bit and don't be afraid to crank up the ISO.
Most of all though, keep shooting.

dodgyexposure wrote in post #17854494
They are nice enough family and friends portraits.

One thing - when you have multiple subjects, pay attention to the aperture that you are using to get the appropriate depth of field. The first shot could have benefited from a narrower aperture, as he is out of focus. If you don't have enough light (which doesn't seem to be an issue here, as you are at ISO 100 and 1/250) to stop down, then step back from the subjects, which will also increase the DOF.

Damien, thank you for your feedback. I definitely struggle with DOF. I will play around with shooting at wider apertures. Thanks again!

DoninIA wrote in post #17854564
Hello,
I don't post here, so I typically don't like to reply here.
2 (questionable), 4 and 7 appear to be your sharpest images.
I think you might be trying to get too shallow of DOF and it's hurting your images.
I noticed about all of your shots are shot wide open.
Stop down a little bit and don't be afraid to crank up the ISO.
Most of all though, keep shooting.

Hi Don,

Thank you for taking a look and responding.
I think you and Damien hit the nail on the head. I'm finding that I do tend to shoot wide open in order to have a blurred background. If I stop down and crank up the ISO, will I still be able to get a blurred background?
Thanks again!

You really need to pay attention to your backgrounds. There are lots of distracring lines and clutter back there. I understand that some of these were probably the result of less than perfect situations but its a recurring element. These also seem to be a bit overly processed. Just a bit too much co trast, just a bit too much saturation, and just a bit too bright in a couple. Just relax and allow a bit more of a natural look to come through. Are you using off camera lighting? The ones of the young lady and her boyfriend have some rather unflattering nose shadows.

I dont want to be discouraging of your goals but these are not quite at the level where you are ready to start charging. But with some work you could be.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17854629
You really need to pay attention to your backgrounds. There are lots of distracring lines and clutter back there. I understand that some of these were probably the result of less than perfect situations but its a recurring element. These also seem to be a bit overly processed. Just a bit too much co trast, just a bit too much saturation, and just a bit too bright in a couple. Just relax and allow a bit more of a natural look to come through. Are you using off camera lighting? The ones of the young lady and her boyfriend have some rather unflattering nose shadows.

I dont want to be discouraging of your goals but these are not quite at the level where you are ready to start charging. But with some work you could be.

Thank you very much for the input! What should I look for in a good background? Are the the lines in the last shot acceptable? Preferred or another example of distraction?
I definitely appreciate the feedback on post processing. On the photo in question with off camera lighting this was my first attempt at using some off camera speedlights.

I share your thoughts that I'm not ready. I will keep practicing! Thank you for taking the time to respond!

Can you number them?

In general, I think you could benefit from subtler, more diffused, and less direct lighting. Some of these are a little flash burned and lack natural looking depth-creating shadows, and the shadows that are there are harsh and come from an unflattering angle. Also; the subjects could use some more photogenic colors and less distracting background (possibly more blurred and greater separation).

In other words; snapshots, sorry. Try getting a reflector (with an assistant to hold it), watch the background, and avoid direct harsh lighting of any kind (flash, direct sunlight, etc).

#7 is my fav. It could use a little catch-light in the eyes but I like the softer shadows, it's got nice balance, and it looks very natural. #8 is also adorable and well captured.

You have some nice expressions. I prefer the softer light in #2 over the others. Even #7 could use a little fill flash or softer effect with a bounce card/reflector. And you should never use bottom light as in #6.

bsiegler wrote in post #17854645
What should I look for in a good background? Are the the lines in the last shot acceptable? Preferred or another example of distraction?

Before you start shooting, take a good, hard look at the background. #1 has candy canes growing out of their heads. #2 has white lines from the shelving growing out of their heads. #5 has a fence. #8 has a chair slat running through her head. Etc...

I'm no professional either but I have a few things that may help.


First thing I noticed was the lack of sharpness. You really need to make sure those eyes are in sharp focus.
I assume canon has it also, but my sony has a setting where it colors what's in focus... very helpful. Also if you just use auto-focus make sure you aim at the eyes... lightly press the shutter... and then reframe you shot... and press the shutter down all the way so you know those eyes will be in focus.

If you don't have them (I know it's expensive, but eventually you should get them) get a sturdy tripod you're talking a couple $100 a good ball head another couple $100 and a wireless remote (I'm thinking of the Vello Free wave Plus.... Think that's what it's called) about $75. I would get the wireless remote first, because the shots your taking are in a controlled enough environment that just about any tripod and head will work for now. However good ones will make it far easier and as a result better.

Take the extra minute to set up the tripod and wireless remote. It may be a pain but I think you'll like the outcome better. Less shake = sharper images.


Next your DOF problems.

I would bring it up from f4 to f8.

This way more of the face is in focus. Now you won't have a blurry background.

You want a blurry background. So here's what you do.

Back up and zoom in.

It's that easy kinda. You'll maybe need to increase your iso, but if your on a tripod with natural light or using a flash on a tripod you may just need to adjust your shutter speed.

As long as your with a shutter speed of i'd say to be safe over 100. But depending on who you're shooting and how still they are you could get away with about 80.


So if you increase the f stop and back up and zoom in you'll still have a blurry background... probably a better looking portrait since your not in so close... and the subjects may look more comfortable without you in there face.


Again I'm no pro and the reason I'm replying is because I'm learning also and appreciate it whenever people help me out on here or any other place. Just because where not pros doesn't mean we don't know anything the other doesn't know. I'm sure you could teach me a number of things on flash and hope you will once I get one.

Hope this helped and keep shooting,
Seth

bsiegler wrote in post #17854645
Thank you very much for the input! What should I look for in a good background? Are the the lines in the last shot acceptable? Preferred or another example of distraction?
I definitely appreciate the feedback on post processing. On the photo in question with off camera lighting this was my first attempt at using some off camera speedlights.

I share your thoughts that I'm not ready. I will keep practicing! Thank you for taking the time to respond!

The first thing you want to look for in a background is a lack of clutter. Things that are distinct and that will draw your eye away from the subject. That doesn't mean they have to be totally blank though. If you have the ability to use shallow depth of field you can do some creative things with backgrounds that enhance a photo. If you leave enough distance behind the subject to soften backgrounds sufficiently things that might have been distracting become a pleasing pattern. This shot for instance the grafitti behind her could have been distracting if too distinct.

IMAGE LINK: https://kevin-jones.smugmug.com …fany/i-GPzDJTX/A&lb=1&s=A

Tiffany

IMAGE LINK: https://kevin-jones.smugmug.com …fany/i-LgHRfg8/A&lb=1&s=A

Tiffany

^ as usual, gonzo nailed it. Seeing what the background elements are doing, and how they are going to impact the final picture is something that makes a huge difference between an accomplished shooter and someone just taking nice pictures.

only thing i would add is to try to strike a better balance between ambient light and your flash. The indoor pics are somewhat overpowered by the flash.