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03/08/2006 12:33:34 PM · #1
I took some shots of my sister-in-law and was wondering how i can improve these shots. Here is the Link. I took it during mid day so the sun was very bright (not good). Let me know what you think. I would pay for membership but my wife would kill me right now.
03/08/2006 12:38:07 PM · #2
the shots look fine to me. One suggestion tho would be to invest in some sort of reflector. if you cant afford the specific one for photography you could get just a plain windshield pop open thingy(I have the silver) in the automotive dept. i read somewhere that a famous photographer carrys around a wadded up (not folded)piece of alum. foil(opens it up when needed) so u could use that in a pinch.

edit to add a few details

Message edited by author 2006-03-08 12:39:40.
03/08/2006 01:05:16 PM · #3
I'm actually waiting for my reflector to come in the mail. Since it will be the first time i use a reflector i'm going to have to assume that it will give the person a more natural skin tone (using gold). Thanks for your comment/suggestion

Message edited by author 2006-03-08 13:05:51.
03/08/2006 01:07:10 PM · #4
They look really good considering the time of day. I would try to mess around with increasing saturation and contrast, maybe some dodge and burn. Surf the forums if you want some good techniques.
03/08/2006 01:09:50 PM · #5
Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:

the shots look fine to me. One suggestion tho would be to invest in some sort of reflector. if you cant afford the specific one for photography you could get just a plain windshield pop open thingy(I have the silver) in the automotive dept. i read somewhere that a famous photographer carrys around a wadded up (not folded)piece of alum. foil(opens it up when needed) so u could use that in a pinch.

edit to add a few details

I agree with this suggestion... some reflected lighting on the 2nd and 3rd shots onto your model's face from different angles would work better.

The poses are very, very nice and you should be pleased with them.
03/08/2006 01:22:47 PM · #6
Originally posted by Kaups:

They look really good considering the time of day. I would try to mess around with increasing saturation and contrast, maybe some dodge and burn. Surf the forums if you want some good techniques.

What will the saturation and contrast and dodge and burn do for the image? I think for one of them i increased the color levels to make it a little darker (Shot 2). Thanks
03/08/2006 01:56:23 PM · #7
Wow, sister in law. It does help to have a nice subject to photograph. I like the second one the best. I would just adjust the curves in photoshop. Great comp too.
03/08/2006 04:11:33 PM · #8
Originally posted by Nullix:

Wow, sister in law. It does help to have a nice subject to photograph. I like the second one the best. I would just adjust the curves in photoshop. Great comp too.


I thought I already did it for that particular shot. I must have done it to another. Do you recommend it be a tad darker? The only reason i ask is i have two screens with two very different color tones. One is slightly darker than the other.
03/08/2006 04:36:55 PM · #9
Originally posted by kostyc:

Originally posted by Kaups:

They look really good considering the time of day. I would try to mess around with increasing saturation and contrast, maybe some dodge and burn. Surf the forums if you want some good techniques.

What will the saturation and contrast and dodge and burn do for the image? I think for one of them i increased the color levels to make it a little darker (Shot 2). Thanks


I think you could give the pictures a little more depth. They aren't super flat as they are now but there is room for improvement IMO. I think playing around with curves would also help. I do love the shots though, especially the 2nd one. 3rd one is good, too.
03/08/2006 04:43:58 PM · #10
I hope you don't mind I made a little adjustment to what I sort of had in mind.

All I did was change levels slightly and curves. She pops out at you but it does burn out the background. If you use layers and take your time you can avoid that effect.

Picture Edit
03/08/2006 04:52:28 PM · #11
Until the reflector comes.

If you are posing her in shade with a bright unshaded background, popping her with some fill-flash ads a bit of punch to an image. Even on-board flash can be enough to provide effective fill.
03/08/2006 05:33:09 PM · #12
Originally posted by Kaups:

I hope you don't mind I made a little adjustment to what I sort of had in mind.

All I did was change levels slightly and curves. She pops out at you but it does burn out the background. If you use layers and take your time you can avoid that effect.

Picture Edit


I compared the two photo's and i can see the difference. She has a warmer look to her. The layering is no problem, i dont think i have the patients to get the magic wand and do the cut and paste. :)
03/08/2006 05:38:17 PM · #13
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Until the reflector comes.

If you are posing her in shade with a bright unshaded background, popping her with some fill-flash ads a bit of punch to an image. Even on-board flash can be enough to provide effective fill.


Would'nt a flash cause hot spots on her face (nose). I never even thought about using my flash for that... I'll give it a try next time.
03/08/2006 07:55:56 PM · #14
Originally posted by kostyc:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Until the reflector comes.

If you are posing her in shade with a bright unshaded background, popping her with some fill-flash ads a bit of punch to an image. Even on-board flash can be enough to provide effective fill.


Would'nt a flash cause hot spots on her face (nose). I never even thought about using my flash for that... I'll give it a try next time.


I use flash for almost all outdoor portraits. Most of the time (if the subject isn't in shade) it's set at very low power and used for catch-lights only.
03/08/2006 08:56:42 PM · #15
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by kostyc:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Until the reflector comes.

If you are posing her in shade with a bright unshaded background, popping her with some fill-flash ads a bit of punch to an image. Even on-board flash can be enough to provide effective fill.


Would'nt a flash cause hot spots on her face (nose). I never even thought about using my flash for that... I'll give it a try next time.


I use flash for almost all outdoor portraits. Most of the time (if the subject isn't in shade) it's set at very low power and used for catch-lights only.


I've never set my flash to a lower power. How do you do that?
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