family group photo- critique? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/28/2008 02:53:01 AM · #1

here's one i took when i was at my ex-gf's parents 25th wedding anniversary (im still very close with her family, and we are still friends so i go to all there family events like this)

what doyou think?

Message edited by author 2008-04-28 02:54:54.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

04/28/2008 03:05:27 AM · #2

I think you should send everyone else packing ... and just work with the girl in yellow. She looks like she actually wants her picture taken. :-)

As for the group shot. I think you did alright... the exposure seems good and that would have been the hardest part of getting an outside shot like that right. The background seems a little distracting. Maybe pull them further forward (away from the tree) and let the DOF throw it out of focus.

Also, a little more creativity in the posing (less of a "line-up"). Perhaps have some sitting, some standing (i.e. different levels).

burtct

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/28/2008 03:08:57 AM · #3

Great shot - like the lighting.

If you were looking for feedback, my initial thought was the arrangement of the people feels a little loose. Others with more skill than me will give you better advice, but perhaps if they were organised into two tighter groups - the three on the left are good, but if the two guys on the right moved a bit further left and the lass in the middle turned a little more to her left it might feel more balanced. (cribbing from the last supper type people arrangement)

04/28/2008 03:11:09 AM · #4

Originally posted by dwterry:

haha that one is my ex.(together for 2.5 years)

and yeah i should have done that, i was hungry and wanted food, and they were alll super hyper and were antsy and didn't really want to have there photo taken.

heres what happened right after this photo:

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

04/28/2008 10:55:36 AM · #5

bump

Eyesup

Nikon D300

04/28/2008 11:16:25 AM · #6

I agree with the rest the phot itself is nice... but how you aranged the people is a little 'loose'. you could easily fit all of them into an area half that size, by having them a) stand much closer together b) use some different levels some standing, maybe some on knees or something. c) rows are your friend... soemtimes... you could have them in two row or a different format that would compress them more... but becareful that all faces are showing.

hope that helps

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

04/28/2008 11:21:52 AM · #7

heres another one

everybody is a bit closed together

hows that?

Eyesup

Nikon D300

04/28/2008 11:28:03 AM · #8

much better, however a few other things now that I'm looking...
a) simplify: the surrounds may be pretty but they actually add nothing to the photo itself... crop out much of the lest and right to get rid of that pile of twigs and the fence and trail on the other side.

b) DoF is your friend: moveing the group a few feet forward would help blur the background amd make it less of a distracting element (ie no twigs coming out of heads etc.)

c) there's still room of compressions, but that's not major, but having the guy in blue as the only one low down like that, puts him in the same grouping as the dog rather than grouping with the people... not really ideal.

other than those few things (minor really) it's quite nice... good job.

eta: why didn't you show this one in the first place?!

Message edited by author 2008-04-28 11:29:00.

04/28/2008 11:32:57 AM · #9

Originally posted by Eyesup:

haha i dont know, it was late and i wasnt thinking properly!! it wasn't an ideal day for outdoor portraits, im going to re do them eventually because i am not satisfied with the lighting conditions, and my posing and what not

Prof_Fate

04/28/2008 11:37:29 AM · #10

Left comments on two pics.