Over all how am i doing?

I know you do not like it when people post a bunch of pics. I am just wondering over all how am I doing. Is there something that sticks out to you where I can improve. Editing? Posing? (I do not have a flash and this was the gloomiest day of the year :roll eyes:. I do have a reflector but did not help at all. I have a flash on my list to buy. I do not charge for pics so they have to be happy with what they get )

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/PwAR​Da

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Nigg​Vv

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/PvRR​3M

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Pmv3​FP

I like the first two, but I'd (not necessarily you) have framed #2 just a bit more loosely.

I would ask the subjects what they think of #3 and #4. To me, he looks a bit threatening, and she looks a bit defensive. If they like 'em, I would never mention it. The non-standard crop and aspect ration of #4 does not work for me.

Please regard my comments as only one person's opinion. As usual, shoot what works for you and your clients.

Sidebar:
Just noticed your name is Jessi. That is my oldest daughter's given name (Jessi Lynn). She was born in (what was then) West Germany. The town clerk gave us major grief over the name. "That is a boy's name. You can't do this." We tried explaining that Jesse is male, Jessi is female. It took us two or three days to get the name 'approved'. I had to complain through official military channels to get through to the officials in charge. Yes, I was in the US Army at the time. The nearest military hospital was 60 miles away. Jessi did not cooperate; she was doing it her way. She's been that way ever since. She in now 35.

Bassat wrote in post #18192483
I like the first two, but I'd (not necessarily you) have framed #2 just a bit more loosely.

I would ask the subjects what they think of #3 and #4. To me, he looks a bit threatening, and she looks a bit defensive. If they like 'em, I would never mention it. The non-standard crop and aspect ration of #4 does not work for me.

Please regard my comments as only one person's opinion. As usual, shoot what works for you and your clients.

Sidebar:
Just noticed your name is Jessi. That is my oldest daughter's given name (Jessi Lynn). She was born in (what was then) West Germany. The town clerk gave us major grief over the name. "That is a boy's name. You can't do this." We tried explaining that Jesse is male, Jessi is female. It took us two or three days to get the name 'approved'. I had to complain through official military channels to get through to the officials in charge. Yes, I was in the US Army at the time. The nearest military hospital was 60 miles away. Jessi did not cooperate; she was doing it her way. She's been that way ever since. She in now 35.

Thank you so much for the feedback. She shared those two pics on FB so I think she likes them, but I understand where you are coming from in #4.

Oh wow what an interesting story about your daughter. I am glad you got it worked out . I do not know many girls with the name Jessi that is not really Jessica. Must run in the name Jessi we like to do things our way

Yep, she's a Jessi. My wife was a huge fan of Jessi Colter.

mamaof2 wrote in post #18192464
I am just wondering over all how am I doing. Is there something that sticks out to you where I can improve.

The one thing that sticks out to me is, in the color pictures, the divisions between skin areas that are more lit and less lit are too abrupt. I wouldn't know how to make them more gradual, but others here will. Both the faces and the hands are affected. The color is also pretty far toward orange.

#1, the shirts contrast well with the background, but the hair and faces don't. Both subjects have light hair and skin, so that in B&W they aren't different enough from the field. A lot of the image is in a narrow range of light gray.

Maybe have subjects bring two or three outfits to a shoot so you can make decisions about clothing when they pose in different places?

#3, I like the posing and composition. The unusual aspect ratio that Bassat mentioned doesn't bother me. You could alternatively take some off the top, have a little less door.

Bassat wrote in post #18192512
Yep, she's a Jessi. My wife was a huge fan of Jessi Colter.

Haha yup as was my mom ...that is the very reason my name is Jessi

OhLook wrote in post #18192557
The one thing that sticks out to me is, in the color pictures, the divisions between skin areas that are more lit and less lit are too abrupt. I wouldn't know how to make them more gradual, but others here will. Both the faces and the hands are affected. The color is also pretty far toward orange.

#1, the shirts contrast well with the background, but the hair and faces don't. Both subjects have light hair and skin, so that in B&W they aren't different enough from the field. A lot of the image is in a narrow range of light gray.

Maybe have subjects bring two or three outfits to a shoot so you can make decisions about clothing when they pose in different places?

#3, I like the posing and composition. The unusual aspect ratio that Bassat mentioned doesn't bother me. You could alternatively take some off the top, have a little less door.

Thank you for your feedback..helps me see if from another point of view and grow.

mamaof2 wrote in post #18192562
Haha yup as was my mom ...that is the very reason my name is Jessi

This is getting weird. My daughter is also a momma of two (Kevin & Destiny). You weren't born in Germany by any chance, were you? FrauenKlinik Bamberg, 5/16/81? Just checkin'...

I like OhLook's comments on your photos. I never think of that kind of stuff.

Bassat wrote in post #18192572
This is getting weird. My daughter is also a momma of two (Kevin & Destiny). You weren't born in Germany by any chance, were you? FrauenKlinik Bamberg, 5/16/81? Just checkin'...

I like OhLook's comments on your photos. I never think of that kind of stuff.

I also have a son and a daughter (son is 7 daughter is 6). I was born in IL 1980

Photos are done quite nicely. I'd watch the differences in skin tones between the two of the color ones. If you are showing one picture, its not a big deal. However, when there are multiple ones, it clearly shows the difference. And the black and white ones look a little flat. I'd work with some of the contrast with the black and white ones.

Overall though - Keep up the good work

Paul.C wrote in post #18214930
Photos are done quite nicely. I'd watch the differences in skin tones between the two of the color ones. If you are showing one picture, its not a big deal. However, when there are multiple ones, it clearly shows the difference. And the black and white ones look a little flat. I'd work with some of the contrast with the black and white ones.

Overall though - Keep up the good work

Thank you so much for the kid words and the tip on the skin!

1 and 2 are good. I think 3 is great. Do not really care for the fourth one due to his expression. But the image is ok. I may crop the first two slightly less.

Maybe be more aware of composition/ cropping. His head is cropped off slightly in #1 and 4 and in #2 the negative space above his head versus under his shirt and on the left versus on the right look slightly off to me. Beautiful couple and great capture of interactions thought!