Senior Portrait Critiques - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

11/06/2008 10:15:53 AM · #1

Hey everyone,

I've been shooting senior portraits this year, and am about half way through what I'm booked for. I have them posted at ryandunnewold.com/classof2009 and I would love any comments and critique that you have. I feel its getting a bit routine and almost telling everyone to sit the same way, do the same things, any inspirational advice is quite welcome.

Thanks,
Ryan

Message edited by author 2008-11-06 10:16:39.

Patrick_R

Canon EOS-60D

11/06/2008 11:48:54 AM · #2

My first advice is to get rid of the gaps in the names or remove them entirely. I.E If you have image 1,2,3,7,8 people will start asking if they can see image 4,5, and 6 Save yourself the headache. Other than that?

Go online and google senior portraits in the image search. If you find an image you like save it to a folder on you computer called inspiration or something. Looking at others work can help you break out of a rut. Or my advice is get some strobist gear and start playing with light. Nothing beats good light! a link to the strobist site is.... watch lighting 1 on 1 first and then read up everything else. I spent about 300 for all of my gear (wireless 2 light set up)

Strobist site

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/09/2008 10:51:42 AM · #3

Thanks for the advice Patrick, I'll try out some of your ideas.

Any other feedback is quite welcome.

MattO

Nikon D4

11/09/2008 11:04:18 AM · #4

My critique is dont show so many that are almost alike. There are many that I had to click back and forward to see any difference in them what so ever. The other nit is watch your colors. Many seem to have very inconsistent wb settings.

Matt

11/09/2008 08:53:49 PM · #5

Originally posted by MattO:

thanks, matt, i appreciate it, i notice both of those now, the wb especially.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/10/2008 07:18:18 PM · #6

*bump*

crabappl3

11/10/2008 07:48:14 PM · #7

I've not shot senior portraits before, but I've seen several photographer's sites that do, and I notice that the ones that really stand out as exceptional are ones that include hobbies or interests of the student. So if the kid is huge into Guitar Hero, then have some fun with that, if they're first chair flute in band, lets see some shots with the flute, etc.

Try to use some props, I think it will relax them some and you'll get shots that become heirlooms.

-danny

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

11/10/2008 07:48:54 PM · #8

REMOVED BECAUSE I AM A DUNDERHEAD!!!!!

Message edited by author 2008-11-10 20:36:55.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/10/2008 07:56:20 PM · #9

Once again, appreciate the feedback.

Oh and Johnna, I haven't been using flash, I used it on maybe 5 shots so far, and it was not the onboard, most of my lighting is done with reflectors. I've been noticing that some are too harsh, and have been working on that. Appreciate the feedback too.

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

11/10/2008 08:28:03 PM · #10

OMG!!! I must apologize for a most horrid error!!! I looked at your shots earlier today and another person's as well. I GOT THEM MIXED UP!!!!! I went back and clicked your link again just now because I assumed you crazy, they were obviously flash and.... OHHHHH woe!!!!! I am SO sorry! You must have thought me CRAZY!!

*crawls into hole*

o.O

I am so bass ackwards today!!! gah!

ETA: Was this one: HERE from THIS THREAD

Again, I am SOOOO SORRY!!! Yours are fine... can't say anything that hasn't been said already.

ETA2: Moved it LOL!! I feel like a wee little mushroom!! :(

Message edited by author 2008-11-10 20:37:53.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/10/2008 09:15:48 PM · #11

lol, totally fine, I just thought you kind of lost it a bit and thought that my harsh reflecting was flash, lol funny stuff. Appreciate it, just gave me a good laugh.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

11/10/2008 09:20:34 PM · #12

Originally posted by TCGuru:

REMOVED BECAUSE I AM A DUNDERHEAD!!!!!

Wait wait wait! You mean dunderheads' comments should be removed? Why should I even bother to post in the first place then? That just does-----------AUTOMATED DUNDERHEAD COMMENT REMOVAL IN PROGRESS---------------

11/10/2008 09:38:06 PM · #13

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by TCGuru:
REMOVED BECAUSE I AM A DUNDERHEAD!!!!!

Wait wait wait! You mean dunderheads' comments should be removed? Why should I even bother to post in the first place then? That just does-----------AUTOMATED DUNDERHEAD COMMENT REMOVAL IN PROGRESS---------------

lol