Contructive critisism please :)

A

adairable

New member
I had my first shoot yesterday and I am anxious to see what the clients say but I am more excited to hear all of the suggestions and feedback you all have for me. I know I have a lot of room to grow!

This is literally my first shoot. Here is how I went about it....I scoped out the places on the base because I didn't want them traveling far and because it's beautiful there, went early and tried to prepare (mentally) as much as I could without over thinking it and still having fun and then I don't remember...I went into photo-mode and I kind of black out :p

Here are some things I noticed:
1. I don't know how to use a flash. I tried to use a flash when it got darker and it was just the one on my camera. I think my hood blocked it though and I had weird shadows.
2. I need to learn to position model arms/hands. They frustrate me!!!
3. I like to edit too much. I wanted to do way more than I did and I could have spent hours on it. This is not efficient.

Please, please give me your feedback!
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0045.jpg
    DSC_0045.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 236
  • DSC_0243.jpg
    DSC_0243.jpg
    722 KB · Views: 232
  • DSC_0325.jpg
    DSC_0325.jpg
    519 KB · Views: 229
A

adairable

New member
Also, what is the best quality or jpeg size to use when exporting photos to attach here on the site? I think I just used 50% quality on the above ones.
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
Well....the first problem I see is that you used a Canon. ;) lol

OK, moving right along......picture #1 is pretty good. Your client will love this one. Picture #2...the full length one...a little too far back, and his face is in shadow. Still, not too bad. Picture #3...can't see a lot of her face. Not good. Maybe it would have been nice to have them pose cheek to cheek.....this way, they're both facing the camera, smiling. :) Other than that......nice job.
 
A

adairable

New member
And for the full length one I was really struggling. I loved the background on that one too much. Which I know is the reason for the shoot...the couples are. BUT that being said. I didn't know how to adjust for it. Super frustrating and that hat kept leaving shadows! I tried to edit but it got grainy (?) looking on me fast. How would you suggest I get that shot next time?
 
§

§am

Senior Member
I prefer the 1st & 3rd shots as they're a little less 'posed', more natural shots of the couple, being a couple :)

The 2nd shot is nice (background), but the bright reds and the reflection off the clouds distracts me away from the overall picture, and as mentioned the shadow on his face kinda half spoils a nice pic

Constructive criticism :)
 
P

pedroj

Senior Member
In the images there appears to be a lot of noise, they should still print ok...what did you have the ISO set at...

I like the poses in all, though I feel if the fellow had his cap off in the 3rd image would be better...

Remember the people are the main subjects, [open your aperture some F4] to isolate them from the background in some of the images

Overall a pretty nice job...

If this is where your going with your photography buy yourself a SB700
 
K

KWJams

Senior Member
Overall, I would say good job :cool:

Looking at the exif info the only things that jumped out at me in the couple standing shot is the white balance and the speed.
You may be able to adjust the WB in post processing to get a better result without losing the dramatic back ground colors.


Camera Make = NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model = NIKON D200
X-Resolution = 240/1 ===> 240
Y-Resolution = 240/1 ===> 240
X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
Software / Firmware Version = Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.0 (Macintosh)
Last Modified Date/Time = 2012:11:11 09:11:22

EXIF Sub IFD

Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/200 second ===> 0.005 second
Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 38/10 ===> ƒ/3.8
Exposure Program = manual control (1)
ISO Speed Ratings = 160
EXIF Version = 0230
Original Date/Time = 2012:11:10 17:40:05
Digitization Date/Time = 2012:11:10 17:40:05
Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = 7643856/1000000
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/200 second
Aperture Value (APEX) = 3851999/1000000
Aperture = ƒ/3.8
Exposure Bias (EV) = -2/6 ===> -0.33
Max Aperture Value (APEX) = 38/10 ===> 3.8
Max Aperture = ƒ/3.73
Metering Mode = spot (3)
Light Source / White Balance = unknown (0)
Flash = Flash did not fire
Focal Length = 220/10 mm ===> 22 mm
Original Subsecond Time = 49
Digitized Subsecond Time = 49
Image Sensing Method = one-chip color area sensor (2)
Image Source = 0x03,0x00,0x00,0x00
Scene Type = directly photographed image
Colour Filter Array (CFA) Geometric Pattern = 0x02,0x00,0x02,0x00,0x01,0x00,0x02,0x01
Custom Rendered = normal process (0)
Exposure Mode = manual exposure (1)
White Balance = auto (0)
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1/1 ===> 1
Focal Length in 35mm Film = 33
Scene Capture Type = standard (0)
Gain Control = n/a (0)
Contrast = normal (0)
Saturation = high (2)
Sharpness = normal (0)
Subject Distance Range = unknown (0)
Lens Specification = 18-200mm F3.5-5.6
Lens Model = 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6
 
A

adairable

New member
I like the less posed photos too. I have a bunch of posed ones and they always irritate me even thought I know that's what the client wants. Probably why I like the one posed one is because the main focus is the background and the dress.... oops.
 
A

adairable

New member
1st- ISO 1600
2nd- 160
3rd- 1600

And I would agree with the cap off for the 3rd one except he is balding and I think he was a little self conscious.

And I have a SB-600 that I didn't use... as I have no idea how to use it. I should probably get on that.
 
T

Tami Jo

Senior Member
adairable said:
1st- ISO 1600
2nd- 160
3rd- 1600

And I would agree with the cap off for the 3rd one except he is balding and I think he was a little self conscious.

And I have a SB-600 that I didn't use... as I have no idea how to use it. I should probably get on that.
Click to expand...

Adairable I like all of three of the shots you posted. I think you did a nice job of capturing the couple. I do think they will be pleased with those. My question is there is quite a bit of noise in these. Did you shoot those in RAW and convert to JPEG? I think you had your ISO set a bit high on a two of those. How was the lighting you where shooting in? Were you increasing the ISO to try and compensate perhaps for lower light?
 
K

KWJams

Senior Member
Tami I think that in Post #2 above explains most of the noise.

"Also, what is the best quality or jpeg size to use when exporting photos to attach here on the site? I think I just used 50% quality on the above ones."
Click to expand...
 
A

adairable

New member
I shot raw and converted to jpeg to post here. Is there a more preferable way to post?

And I have no idea what I was doing with the ISO. I would shoot, peak at the photo and adjust then repeat. Is it preferable to shoot with a lower ISO?

And the lighting was pre-sunset. Like an hour to an hour and a half before.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
file size max is 1.9megs. I set my software to give me a file size between 500kb and 1 meg, this speeds up processing and gives me a decent photo when opened full size.

Jpeg if the preferred file for posting. Picasa will let me resize a nef file without converting but has limited editing.
 
T

Tami Jo

Senior Member
adairable said:
I shot raw and converted to jpeg to post here. Is there a more preferable way to post?

And I have no idea what I was doing with the ISO. I would shoot, peak at the photo and adjust then repeat. Is it preferable to shoot with a lower ISO?

And the lighting was pre-sunset. Like an hour to an hour and a half before.
Click to expand...


Shooting RAW is great! I do switch back and forth depending on what I am shooting. When you are doing photo shoots I would definitely recommend shooting RAW. You are able to edit the photo a lot more than would be possible had you shot in JPEG only. You should always shoot at the lowest possible ISO for the given lighting. As you increase the ISO you increase the noise and lose some image quality. Sometimes you will find you just have to step up the ISO to get the shot or miss it.
 
P

pedroj

Senior Member
adairable said:
I shot raw and converted to jpeg to post here. Is there a more preferable way to post?

And I have no idea what I was doing with the ISO. I would shoot, peak at the photo and adjust then repeat. Is it preferable to shoot with a lower ISO?

And the lighting was pre-sunset. Like an hour to an hour and a half before.
Click to expand...

ISO800 with the D200 is about as high as you would use...I shoot ISO 200 most of the time...

Check out you tube for tuition on your SB600....
 
Top