Need some help and C&C please....

Okay, I've got to do my first senior shoot this coming Tuesday. I went and practice with my daughter last night on some poses and off camera flash shots. The photo will be taken at the same location if that helps.

I don't have a flash meter so there was a lot of trial and error. Some shots look great on the camera LCD but not so good when I got home. I've been reading as much as I can on posing and lighting but I'm looking to you guys for some guidance and C&C. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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These aren't bad for a first attempt.

I'm still in the learning phase of off camera flash (OCF) so that this with a grain of salt. It does look like you need to balance the flash and the ambient light a little more. This will take some trial and error and it's good you practiced. Note your settings and what worked and what needs to be changed so you can the adjustments for the actual shoot.

BTW, where were you placing your off camera flash? It seems like it was pretty close to the camera. You might want to offset it a little more so it is closer to 45 degrees to the subject.

Most of your poses and compositions are pretty good. Just watch the leaning on the arm in #3. I also don't think the pose in 7 is very flattering to the arms or theighs.

You're off to a good start. Maybe you can get in another practice session before Tuesday. Let us know how the actual senior session goes.

Thanks for the C&C.

Anybody else have any comments and suggestions?

moeronn wrote in post #8140813
These aren't bad for a first attempt.

I'm still in the learning phase of off camera flash (OCF) so that this with a grain of salt. It does look like you need to balance the flash and the ambient light a little more. This will take some trial and error and it's good you practiced. Note your settings and what worked and what needs to be changed so you can the adjustments for the actual shoot.

BTW, where were you placing your off camera flash? It seems like it was pretty close to the camera. You might want to offset it a little more so it is closer to 45 degrees to the subject.

Most of your poses and compositions are pretty good. Just watch the leaning on the arm in #3. I also don't think the pose in 7 is very flattering to the arms or theighs.

You're off to a good start. Maybe you can get in another practice session before Tuesday. Let us know how the actual senior session goes.

I am no expert either, but this is how I see them:

1. just not interesting enough
2. I think more of the waterfall, and maybe a different pose would work better.
3. I think would be better leaned against the tree.
4. That brick is not good, not enough color to it
5.I would crop it more to the tree, and less to all the stuff beside and behind her, and maybe show a little more of her.
6. I really like
7. I cant figure out what she is sitting on lol.
8. Is ok, but once again, I find myself trying to figure out what she is sitting on.

Again, I am far from an expert, but this is just what I think.

1. The light is just a tad harsh. Not by much, but probably needs to be repositioned.
2. The lighting looks pretty good, take more care on the pose, as her dirty feet take away from the photo. and maybe take in more of the fountain as it is a great element to incorporate.
3. is nice but i agree with Price, same pose leaning against a tree might be better.
4. That wall has got to go, it adds nothing to the photo. I like the concept, but as Price says above, it's a very dull color. Takes away from the photo.
5. I like a lot, better cropping and you're there.
6. Keeper, very nice candid
7. Is a nice shot, lighting got a bit bright on you.
8. Like the shot, a bit underexposed, easy fix in PP if you're shooting raw.

Good luck with your shoot.

I see what she is sitting on in #7 now lol, I am a dork : )

I've seen many where the BG was underexposed a bit more than yours. That strategy seems to make the subject and clothing really pop off the screen.

Other than that, you appear to be really close. What time of day did you shoot? Looks like really nice evening light.

dave

Thanks for the comments. This is what I need. Is this picture of #7 any better?

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pprice wrote in post #8147038
I am no expert either, but this is how I see them:

1. just not interesting enough
2. I think more of the waterfall, and maybe a different pose would work better.
3. I think would be better leaned against the tree.
4. That brick is not good, not enough color to it
5.I would crop it more to the tree, and less to all the stuff beside and behind her, and maybe show a little more of her.
6. I really like
7. I cant figure out what she is sitting on lol.
8. Is ok, but once again, I find myself trying to figure out what she is sitting on.

Again, I am far from an expert, but this is just what I think.

Soliz387 wrote in post #8147872
1. The light is just a tad harsh. Not by much, but probably needs to be repositioned.
2. The lighting looks pretty good, take more care on the pose, as her dirty feet take away from the photo. and maybe take in more of the fountain as it is a great element to incorporate.
3. is nice but i agree with Price, same pose leaning against a tree might be better.
4. That wall has got to go, it adds nothing to the photo. I like the concept, but as Price says above, it's a very dull color. Takes away from the photo.
5. I like a lot, better cropping and you're there.
6. Keeper, very nice candid
7. Is a nice shot, lighting got a bit bright on you.
8. Like the shot, a bit underexposed, easy fix in PP if you're shooting raw.

Good luck with your shoot.

snyderman wrote in post #8148156
I've seen many where the BG was underexposed a bit more than yours. That strategy seems to make the subject and clothing really pop off the screen.

Other than that, you appear to be really close. What time of day did you shoot? Looks like really nice evening light.

dave

Yes it is late evening around 730pm time frame.

Stick with late evening. Sunshine is anathama to good portraiture.
Body at a 45° angle for 99% of your images.
If it bends bend it. Straight anything and straight up and down is boring.
Tip and tilt that head.

Go to http://www.photocamel.​com then click on Tutorials and find the tutorial entitled Rules of Good Portraiture. The last time I checked it had over 92000 hits.

Benji