first shoot with new L series lens, comments please.

This shoot was done with a canon rebel xs and a canon 24-70 L series lens. This shoot is my most recent out of the 5 that I have done. I am just starting out, and would like comments on how to improve and your impressions. I am looking at right now doing mainly fun unique "portraits" for couples, families, children, etc. I am waiting on the wedding sessions, until i have more experience though am the assistant on two this upcoming summer. I have begun to learn lightroom 3 and am continuing to take classes to further my knowledge. I am going to post more pictures under the same title, please leave advice, comments, and what you think... if you would like to see more visit:
www.cwfphotography.org
also now i have upgraded to a canon 60D and will use that from here on out.

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In the first, the crop at the wrist is not great. I dont like the marquis looming behind her like that, pehaps if she were to the side and it wasnt partially behind her head. She shouldnt really be standing shoulders square to the camera, its unflattering and it adds bulk. If you were using a fill flash or reflector it might be nice to have just a bit more in her face. That would also let you knock down the brightness of the sky. The second is just way overexposed. The colors are washed out and her dress is wrinkled. Do you do fill flash at all?

I have not used a fill flash, because I had not purchased one...i do have one now though and am beginning to learn how to use it.
do u have a link to ur website?

I dont have a website proper as I dont shoot for a living anymore. Here is a gallery from a recent shoot though. http://kevin-jones.smugmug.com …043_ZucZ5#85501​2750_69o5z

In the first image, I would have like to see your beautiful subject in the left third of the frame and higher up. In other words, maybe just barely above the sigh behind her and showing more of the wall to camera right. That would get her out of the center, show a little more of the ornamental wall, and keep from cropping her am at the wrist.
The second image, I just don't like all the reflexions from the glass. All of the glass is over exposed and annoying.
My humble O.

First image: Poor composition, poor crop, could use fill flash or a reflector to fill in shadows on model's face

Second image: Overexposed areas, model's right arm/hand tends to blend into and get lost in the overexposed areas, model's dress is all bunched up and looks sloppy, no room at bottom of frame (tight crop)

1st one is a bad crop... second one is a good idea but it's blown out...

In the first one, her faces seems a bit out of focus. Your point of view was at her waist level and it looks like that's where your camera was focusing. At f/2.8, you have a narrow depth of field. Because of the visual angle, her face was actually physically farther away from the camera than her waist. I think that's what contributed to poor focus on her face. It's important with wide aperture to make sure you get the eyes. Use a single focus point, compose on her face, half shutter press to lock the focus, then move to the desired composition. Don't use AI servo on a stationary subject. It will betray you.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11750934
In the first, the crop at the wrist is not great. I dont like the marquis looming behind her like that, pehaps if she were to the side and it wasnt partially behind her head. She shouldnt really be standing shoulders square to the camera, its unflattering and it adds bulk. If you were using a fill flash or reflector it might be nice to have just a bit more in her face. That would also let you knock down the brightness of the sky. The second is just way overexposed. The colors are washed out and her dress is wrinkled. Do you do fill flash at all?

^^^^^ This is an excellent critique.

DigitalMonkey wrote in post #11752473
^^^^^ This is an excellent critique.

+1, I agree with everything. Pretty much sums it up.

Yeah. Try reading Scott Kelby's digital photography books. One of the points her mentions as a rule of thumb is to never crop at joints.

Everyone else's comments pretty much sums up everything.

thank you everyone for all the help!!

Read up on rule of thirds... the 1st photo is a bad composition and pretty blah over all. Plus could use either a reflector or fill flash. Or choose a different time of day to shoot. It looks like you shot in the middle of the day or afternoon. that would be my guess because of all the harsh shadows. Get out there early or right before sunset for the best lighting.

The 2nd like everyone else said is way overexposed. It also doesnt fit to well with the rule of thirds, which makes it a boring photo. Maybe i am nit picking but the white balance also looks a bit off for both pictures.

Overall My suggestion is to shoot RAW dont waste time on .jpg format. Shoot RAW then throw in photoshop or get a cheap software to convert them into jpg's and you will be amazed how many 'oops' pictures can turn out to be great pictures once ran through a RAW editor and adjusted properly.

Good luck. and remember Rule of Thirds.

thank you everyone for the tips! here are two others that I would like comments on...thanks.
extra information...at this time i did not have a fill flash (though now i do), therefore none was used. I was using a rebel xs with a 24-70 L series lens.

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