Semi-Professional Gig, please help

10/16/2004 03:40:04 AM · #1

I was at the Sweet 16 party of a friend's cousin tonight, and although I was not the "official" photographer, having known the family for a while it's expected that I will be there with my camera. I think tonights pictures were some of the best I've ever taken, and I was looking for some feedback, seeing as how I will be doing a Bar-Mitzvah in December.

Bare in mind, that these were taken while trying not to get in the way of the official photographer. LOL.

10/16/2004 04:05:51 AM · #2

bump!

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

10/16/2004 05:03:57 PM · #3

bump 2

Spork99

OM System OM-1

10/16/2004 05:12:10 PM · #4

OK...

#1 The subject is not looking at the camera, she is looking down, it's not really very flattering to her. If she had the expression she's wearing in #3, you'd be OK here, but you don't.

#2 This is OK and shows her signing something (Guest book?). It would be better if you were on the other side of the table and had her look up at you, rather than shooting into her ear.

#3 The expressions here are better, but her hair has melted into the black background.

Even though you are not the "Official" photographer, don't be afraid to engage the subject and get them to pose for you. Just don't follow along behind the guy who's getting paid and snipe off shots of his poses.

10/16/2004 05:14:54 PM · #5

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

While I appreciate your quite candid review of my work, I can't control the expression she puts on her face. She was standing there in prayer. This wasn't a posed shot. I was part of the crowd. As for the "signing", she was signing her certificate.

As for the 3rd shot, i can see her hair quite clearly

Message edited by author 2004-10-16 17:16:22.

wkoffel

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/16/2004 05:30:49 PM · #6

Hi atsxus. I think that Spaz gave some very constructive comments, and I can second most of them. Remember, we're all friendly here. No need to get defensive when you ask for feedback! The most important thing is that you were excited about the shots you took. But there's always room for improvement.

I notice that both the 1st and 3rd shots have the center of focus slightly to the left. Is this the way the original was, or did you crop them this way? It feels like there's not quite enough visual breathing room for the subject.

For portraiture, the expression is everything. It's only partly true that you can't control her expression. Engaging her in conversation or being ready for a moment when she's beaming with pleasure at turning 16 are things you can control. I assume you took a lot more than 3 shots at the event. Remember, with digital, shoot early, shoot often, when trying to catch candid expressions in a hectic non-studio environment like that.

Your depth of field selections are pretty good, in the second one in particular. The black backgrounds definitely are not the best in one and three for her hair, and they also make the harsh flash lighting worse.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/16/2004 05:43:29 PM · #7

Originally posted by wkoffel:

These images were all cropped for the subject. With the third one, I don't like cropping out body parts...so it's slightly off center. But I do that also by general principal while shooting because I was always taught the rule of "3's", which states never to have your subject directly int the center of the photograph. The first one however, I was trying to crop out the priest, which is why that one is pushed to the left as well.

Message edited by author 2004-10-16 17:44:05.

rennie

Nikon D40X

10/16/2004 05:46:49 PM · #8

Originally posted by atsxus:

Why "never"? Sometimes centered composition looks much better. And why priest was disturbing? I think the presence of the priest could explain her face expression (easy to guess she was praying).

cbeller

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

10/16/2004 05:53:27 PM · #9

Originally posted by atsxus:

Actually in portraiture you normally center your subject. Think of the eyes as your focal point, so if you center the person in the frame and the eyes are on one of the third lines, you've complied with the rule of thirds.

Also, the "rule of thirds" is more of a guide than a rule. Don't limit yourself.

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

10/16/2004 05:56:34 PM · #10

Hi Stephanie - There is nothing wrong with your photos. However the comments given by the others are very constructive. There are no rules in photography, just shot and be brave! Its not easy photographing at a party or any gaterhing of people. Good luck with your Bar-Mitzvah in December

Mike

Artan

Canon Digital IXUS v3

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/16/2004 06:16:58 PM · #11

Originally posted by atsxus:

bump!

I am a Brit, and am not familiar with the expression bump.

Can anyone help me with this

cbeller

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

10/16/2004 06:17:53 PM · #12

people use it to "bump" their thread to the top of the list

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/16/2004 06:24:16 PM · #13

Originally posted by rennie:

Why "never"? Sometimes centered composition looks much better. And why priest was disturbing? I think the presence of the priest could explain her face expression (easy to guess she was praying).

I cropped out the priest because from his position, or rather mine, all you could see of him was his back and the side of his head. I thought it did more detrimint to the picture then add to the explanation of it.

Artan

Canon Digital IXUS v3

10/16/2004 06:27:10 PM · #14

Originally posted by cbeller:

people use it to "bump" their thread to the top of the list

thanks...

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/16/2004 07:18:19 PM · #15

Hi all,

I too did a sweetsixteen this past Sat.
any comments will, thanx!

...@ the end of the day I got 303 photos and 230 good photos.

TLL061

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

10/16/2004 07:25:10 PM · #16

good job , i was looking for a groom

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

10/16/2004 07:31:56 PM · #17

I'm Jewish, and in the Jewish faith, we don't have Sweet 16's, but Bar & Bat-Mitzvahs. It commemorates us turning into adults, as this happens at 13 (similar to confirmations, I suppose). I'm a little confused at the prediliction towards Wedding gowns and cakes and the whole hoopla over turning 16. I wasn't aware that it was a religious event needing a priest, as it seemed at the one I went to, and the one above.

My cousin did opt for a 16th birthday party instead of her Bat-Mitzvah, but we had a party on a boat. that's all. No bridal gown, now tiara, no 3-tiered cake or prayers....Is it different in the hispanic faith? My friends cousin is Portuguese, and it looks like this woman above is Mexican? I can't tell. Please explain, if anyone knows...I'm interested to find out. And what was the thing with her shoes?!?

Message edited by author 2004-10-16 19:37:56.

jmlelii

Nikon D850

10/16/2004 07:32:05 PM · #18

if you are using flash, why such a high ISO?

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/16/2004 07:35:05 PM · #19

because I only had my onboard flash, and I was all the way accross the room with my 300mm zoom lense. On-board flashes don't reach that far, though they do help somewhat so in neutralizing the ambiant lighting. For closer shots my ISO was at 400.

rennie

Nikon D40X

10/16/2004 08:01:39 PM · #20

All this Sweet 16 is extremely strange to me. I'm a Roman Catholic (and this pictures look like from a Roman Catholic church) and I had no idea something like that exist. I would also like to know something more about this custom.

10/16/2004 08:06:33 PM · #21

Originally posted by atsxus:

I'm not too sure myself as I thought the gown was supposed to be a pastel color not white - the young lady is Puerto Rican - and the shoe thing signifies - the changing of girl shoes to woman shoes.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

10/16/2004 08:11:10 PM · #22

Originally posted by TLL061:

good job..

Thank you!

anyone have some advice/critics (its ok I won't bite your head off :) ), this was my first event and I would like to do more...

livingfiction

Nikon D2X

10/16/2004 09:06:28 PM · #23

What culture is "Sweet 16" from? The first batch look like prom photos, and the second look like a wedding. I'm not criticizing, I have no idea what kind of an event this is, so I'm curious to know where it comes from.

10/16/2004 09:27:01 PM · #24

Originally posted by livingfiction:

I postd a similar question. To me, it seems similar to a "Debutant's Ball", or a "Coming Out" party, where the family introduces thier daughter to the world and adulthood. I can see it being done by the very wealthy, where it's an extension of their status in society...but it seems to have filtered down into everyday life - a way for kids to show off to their friends and be the center of attention. But the money being spent on these children is rediculous and in my opinion uncalled for. They're kids. 16 is a far cry from adulthood.

I was outraged a few months ago at an article in People Magazine about "Faux Mitsvah's". Basically, it was parents pandering to the wishes of their kids who what to have a big blow-out celebration like their "Jew friends", not understanding the religious and cultural significance of the celebration. And the parents, not wanting to hear their children whine and complain, submit, and spend in some cases $75,000.00 so their child can be happy.

I don't get it. I'm American, so I have no qualms about saying our Society is messed up.

Feel free to flame me if you wish, but this is my opinion.

It says something that the only way my friend's cousin was getting her party, was if she promised to remain a vigin until she turned 16. One of her friends at the party was 4 or 5 months pregnant.