Open for Constructive Criticism - DPChallenge Forums

02/14/2006 08:32:56 AM · #1

I survived the Daddy-Daughter Dance photo shoot. I made photos of 59 "couples." I had two assistants helping me, and we managed to get through the line in 1 1/2 hours. I took three photos of each couple. Here are four samples. It was fun, but we did have to move them through quickly, so I know with more time, I would have thought some through a little longer (especially remembering to tell people with glasses to tilt their heads down slightly). Comments?

Creature

Nikon D70s

02/14/2006 10:22:50 AM · #2

They look really nice to me. It's gotta be tough to photograph nearly 60 different subjects with different skin tones, hair colors, clothing colors, etc. and get them all perfect, but if these are representative of the other 55 I think you did very well. I'm just getting ready to try my hand at portraiture so I only hope I can turn out some results like these.

Only thing I'd point out is that they could maybe use a little softening.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/14/2006 11:11:38 AM · #3

I stayed steady at f/10.0 and 1/125 shutter using an ISO of 200. I have just two inexpensive Britek strobes, with bounce umbrellas, and I was fairly happy with the results. I did notice also that when I resized them to 72ppi for posting here, they lost their softness and took on a grainy appearance. I may go back later and post them full size to my portfolio. Mpix.com is printing them, and all my experiences with them have been great!

But, thank you for commenting. I was beginning to feel like they weren't worth anyone's time to comment good or bad!

Message edited by author 2006-02-14 11:13:07.

fotomann_forever

02/14/2006 11:36:38 AM · #4

Originally posted by woohoopepper:

(especially remembering to tell people with glasses to tilt their heads down slightly).

The portraits you show here look very good. I would like to comment on this little quote. As much as possible, have your subjects til thier heads slightly up. Tilting the head down causes or emphasizes double-chin. Tilting the head up minimizes the effect of double chin.

Just a quick tip... back to the show.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

02/14/2006 11:38:21 AM · #5

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by woohoopepper:
(especially remembering to tell people with glasses to tilt their heads down slightly).

The portraits you show here look very good. I would like to comment on this little quote. As much as possible, have your subjects til thier heads slightly up. Tilting the head down causes or emphasizes double-chin. Tilting the head up minimizes the effect of double chin.

Just a quick tip... back to the show.

When I shoot ppl with glasses, I have them hold their head straight, but tilt the glasses down slightly. (raise the glasses 'arms' slightly off the ears) It looks natural and viola, no reflections. :)

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

02/14/2006 11:39:27 AM · #6

Nice portraits.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

02/14/2006 11:39:59 AM · #7

Just an opinion but I think you could solidly crop a lot off of the top in each image. For my eye, there's a lot on unecessary space up there.

02/14/2006 12:48:57 PM · #8

Oh absolutely! What you are seeing are the uncropped versions that I uploaded to mpix.com. I do all my cropping on mpix when ordering to get it exactly as I think the customer will appreciate (allowing room for matting & framing). These are all uncropped 8x12s, 300ppi so that I can safely crop to 8x10, 5x7, etc. or whatever the customer wants.

Actually, I'm giving the customers three poses, all cropped 4x5's, with an order form if they want any more. I did that so if they hate one pose, hopefully out of three they will like another. I'm also going to recommend they purchase mats (from Michael's or from me) for 5x7 frames with 3 1/2 x 5" openings for these 'proof' sizes.

Message edited by author 2006-02-14 13:55:06.