DSLR Photography Forum

Ok let me have it, lol here are a couple of my pictures of my little sister. Please let me know what you think. Yes on the B & W with color there was some editing, as well as trying to make the others a little more crisp. try to remember these are my first with a backdrop indoors and no controlled lighting just lamps from the house. Thanks, Steve

Very cute girl, Steve... I like very much the color version, the skin tones are really good, especially for tungsten lighting. The pose is sweet, too. I don't like the BW version much, I think the selective color of the rose is stealing the focus from the girl. One little thing that bothers me is that the image has a slight tilt to the right (ie the table surface is just a little slanted).

Guerito, thank you very much for the info. I did not even notice that the table was slanted tahnk you very much for the input,
Steve

I dislike the colour of the rose in this shot. For me, it clashes with the mauve/purple tones on the tee shirt.
Maybe a white/blue or pink rose.
Also (again for me) the rose is too much in the face. Maybe it should stand off her face a tiny bit.
I think the colours in the girls skin is terrific.

NT73 Thank you very much for the input and you could not be more right. I think that it is such a great thing that you can put photos on here and have them critiqued by the people who really know what they are talking about. A big thanks goes out to both you and guerito for taking out time to check these pictures out for me i have read alot of your other post on other pics and you all really know your stuff. once again thank you very much for the input.

StrodePhotos1125 Wrote:I think that it is such a great thing that you can put photos on here and have them critiqued by the people who really know what they are talking about.

Thanks for your confidence. Remember that critique, is easier than constructive critique.
I don't usually say much unless I feel my input will help, but it is only my opinion.
We say "One man's meat is another man's poison"
As to wether we know what we are talking about. Mmmmh. Just a joke, there are some super photographers who will share their knowledge and time with you on shuttertalk.
I take on board everyones comments, but only keep what I think is best for a particular photo.

Hi Steve,

These are a good first attempt at such shots... and like anything you'll improve with practice.
And with your great attitude you seem to have everything you need. Just keep shooting!

As for some suggestions that you might like to think about:

1. The lighting appears to be quite direct (ie the light is pointing in the same direction as the camera). This is often unflattering, and is the reason the internal flash on many cameras gives that "deer in the headlights" look. It might be worth moving the light source off to one side a bit. If you can, also try including another light source in a different location to fill out any dark shadows. The larger the light source the softer the shadows will be too. If you are using reading lamps for lighting, perhaps try placing them near a light coloured wall and pointing them at the wall instead of the subject. It will give a more diffused light.

2. As NT says, I think the rose is a bit too much in her face. I also think the photo would be much better if she had her eyes open and if she were facing a bit more towards the camera. A side-on view such as she has with her eyes closed really doesn't "engage" the viewer. If she had a more open pose and her eyes open, she would be inviting the viewer to look at and smell the rose, drawing them into the scene.

3. The photo seems a touch underexposed for my liking. This is in part due to the lighting, but also I think another 2/3 to a full stop of exposure might have helped here. Perhaps also a lighter background might help to give it a lighter, more airey feel. The dark tones don't really gel with the childlike innocence of the subject IMHO.

Sorry I don't mean to be too critical of the shot. There are certainly a lot of good things about it. The exposure and lighting have as much to do with personal taste as anything, so there is no real right or wrong. The colours and white balance are spot on, and the focus and framing are fine.
You're certainly on the right track.

Hey Steve,

I agree with G, you did well on her skin tones, especially under difficult conditions.
As for the exposure, you would make your life much easier using a brighter backdrop. You are starting out with the most difficult situation to light properly, i.e. a superdark (plus slighlty reflective) backdrop versus your sister's white shirt. So not only, as Kombi said, would a backdrop suite the subject better, but it would also reduce the object contrast you have to deal with.

Personally I like your idea of the BW. However, your sister's cute face it burried to much in the flower.
I don't think it's the actual size of the flower so much as the fact that her eyes are closed and her face turned away from the camera, so you might want to change her pose a bit there.

I think you did a very good job for this being the first time!

Uli

Thank you all for the in put i have been out of the loop for a bit. but i am back now and i have some more photos for you all to look at. I got my first wedding shoot () so i will have to put up some of them talk to you all later thank you again for the help. Remember without critique, everything would look like crap!!!

she's such an adorable girl!
why dont you get some of her face?
I dislike selective colouring, I think it makes the picture look unprofessional.
I think the angle is an unflattering one too, but I do like the picture, shes so cute.
xo