Some prom photo's. I am really new to photography,

C&C more than welcome and again I am just getting into photography.
Witch my photo's show I am pretty new


Sorry so my fault the photo's didn't upload the first time..

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

No pics??

No photos.

Sorry,, I didn't do something right when posting the first time around..
I am sure that drives every one mad when people do that..

The first shot could have been nice, but the shadow from the flash and the processing take away from the image. I'd still like to see the original without so much skin smoothing.

Honestly, maybe you should start with just the photography aspect first, then start playing more with basic processing (contrast, curves, etc) but leave out the "special effects" for the time being.

thanks Moeronn after this shoot I said to myself ohh back to the books and more snapping.
The time of day was bad bad bad the sun was coming in where it made it hard, i told my husband right off that with my limited photo skills this wasn't going to be good. I don't know enough about the ligh_sun_flash to use them to help each other yet. I wish I had more then 30 mins to take these photos. And all the 2nd guessing of my self just made for a bad day. I did end up with a few goods one that thet loved but for some reason it was the black & whites_ selctive coloring _ and the werid zoom they liked. I think I had about 10 that where not touched they liked. But with newbies I think we tend to try to pp them a little to much to comp for lack of skill maybe. But thanks again. I think I am doing to post a few that I didn't touch I do have the first one untouched..

Here are they are before editing. Thanks

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

The first one would have been much better if there was no wooden wall behind her to catch the side shadow. Its still a little overly flashed but that can be tamed a little in post. The hard edge shadow though is a killer. The second shot is overexposed. I can see where the kids might like the save you did on it. Its different and kids love different even if different isnt good. Facebook thrives on that. But for posting here try not to show too many of the overly processed save shots for two reasons. The basic reason is its easier to help you learn by seeing the honest results of your work than it is the "fixed" mistakes. And sometimes we see posters who think the fixed over processed versions of bad photos are actually good, those folks are hard to help. Keep shooting and posting, you will find lots of help here.

Thanks gonzogolf yeah the facebook myspace its almost like people don't care if they are good enough to print or not as long as they can post them on line they seem to be happy, that is where I get crazy I want mine to be printable 100% of the time (well thats my goal). I know that cyber okay isn't printable okay, I let my nerves get to me shooting also cause I knew the lighting was going to eat me and spit me out. This is why I don't like shooting from 11a-4p outside on sunny days--
I need to shoot more and try to shoot with NO pp in mind.. I have a more shoots I have did I am going to post when I am not @ work- I got a email asking me to shoot 3 month old twin girls last night all I could do was laugh. I wrote her back and made sure she was reminded I am really really new to this and she said yes, and I said I would give it a try (no pay) but if I did happen to get some they liked they could pay for prints- and if none come out they understood they can't get mad at me.
They said that was fine-- They have no photos of the girls other than snap shoots and I told them my photos would be (snap shoots). They didn't even get the hospital photos when the girls where born-
So I hope I can help them out some. But they know 100% of my limits.. I am sure I will be posting some of those this weekend.. I have a friend that loves to read here and will not post in fear if getiing
bashed a little, I said well maybe thats what it will take. Just don't take it to heart just use what is said in a good way be up for change. well all have to start some where.

Thanks again.

It seems to me you are beginning to understand light. Now its time to start learning how to control it. What flash do you have?

The second, as you said, the sun was your enemy. The background was over exposed, and the foreground was a little under exposed. Your edit did a lot to hide that. The pro's hate that sort of editing, but the kids love it (b/w everything but your subject). Personally I think there is a time for it, and if that's what the 'client' likes then why not give it to them?

Not much to add to the first one that hasn't already been said. You do have a couple of cheap options to fix that shadow when you shot it. Since you had a helper (your husband) you can buy a off shoe cord for around $40. It's just a cord that attaches to the shoe of the camera and the other end to your flash. Your husband can then hold the flash (in this case to the right of you). It would most likely take several tries to get him to stand in the right place. The right place would be to remove the shadow behind her and at the same time not leave any shadows on the face. Your PP of that image is not too bad, just too soft. For prom pics I typically just use a healing brush to remove any skin issues the youngster might have. Just keep practicing and don't be afraid to post them here. You have to pay great attention to detail to make great images, and the best way to learn is by C&C from the peeps here.

My flash is the built in one on camera, I am looking for a speedlight or something better now_ I have saved now time to buy- Also looking for a good prime lens , really not for sure witch one to go with.
I had a class but we didn't do any hard light shoots, we did one a night with the use of flash lights and one at 8am in the woods_ I had hoped he would push us to shoot and have to fight the sun. I am looking into other class's now_ I would really like to find one with lighting and photo comp

Thanks dwarrenr,,,

Once you get a proper flash, those popups are awful, you can start learning how to control the light. If you arent ready to spring for a canon speedlite, look at the YN 467 on ebay. Its a decent flash for the money and can get you started with creative lighting.

pinkwings73 wrote in post #10166246
My flash is the built in one on camera, I am looking for a speedlight or something better now_ I have saved now time to buy-

Your best bet would be the canon 580EX II which can be had for around $400. Another good option would be the 430EX II which can be had for around $300.

pinkwings73 wrote in post #10166246
Also looking for a good prime lens , really not for sure witch one to go with.

Since it sounds like you are interested in portraits, most would recommend the canon 50mm (it's called the nifty fifty here). You can pickup a f/1.8 for less then $100.

pinkwings73 wrote in post #10166246
I had a class but we didn't do any hard light shoots, we did one a night with the use of flash lights and one at 8am in the woods_ I had hoped he would push us to shoot and have to fight the sun. I am looking into other class's now_ I would really like to find one with lighting and photo comp

Classes are nice, but for the most part I do better learning by reading and playing with the camera. Here is a good book on exposure:

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1273663​995&sr=8-1

Also take a look at this online help:

http://web.canon.jp/im​aging/enjoydslr/index.​html

The problem with a class is most if forgotten within a couple of days. With a book you can pick out one area you want to learn and stick with it. I'll read the sections several time with camera in hand and play with the settings, then go out and give it a try. Then go back and re-read again to see what I missed the first time. But that's just me.