Senior Portraits ...Opinions please

Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Zuiko Digital

10/01/2005 09:51:23 PM · #1

These look much clearer in the full resolution. This gal is a real tom-boy and wanted a few that fit that character - so the truck and ballcap are her choices.

I'd appreciate any feedback on these shots. One of these days I'll get back into the studio for some portraits, but right now I'm limited to natural light shots. Poses, colors, etc look okay?

These are most of the shots, but not all of them. I'm still editing.

Edited to add...I have not Neat Imaged any of these. Let me know if you think any would benefit from a light treatment.

EDIT: I've added quite a few more shots, so for ease of use HERE"S the link to that portfolio. Thanks for any help and comments!

Message edited by author 2005-10-02 01:12:00.

twm122

Olympus E-3

10/01/2005 09:56:16 PM · #2

I like them all, left a comment on a few. Where did you do these?

10/01/2005 10:01:53 PM · #3

Is the color a bit better in this one?

They were all taken at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton, Ohio.

10/01/2005 10:42:04 PM · #4

I'd like some more feedback if anyone has some time. I'll be happy to return the critique for one of yours. Thanks!

elsapo

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

10/01/2005 10:43:52 PM · #5

Originally posted by jpochard:

Is the color a bit better in this one?

this one has a weird green tone on the face 9around the shadow), maybe it would look nicer in b&w?

viajero

Canon EOS-20D

10/01/2005 10:50:03 PM · #6

In a lot of these it seems like you're looking down on her. Maybe that's what you intended, but I tend to like lower angles. If you are shooting some more you might try some with the camera below her eye level to varying degrees and see what you think.

elsapo

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

10/01/2005 10:56:42 PM · #7

here is a super fast edit of your photo to give you an idea of what im saying...its a bit pixalated because of the image size but...

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

10/01/2005 10:58:22 PM · #8

I like the first one the best by far. I also like the second one and the one where she is sitting against the tree.

I agree with the suggestion of trying different angles, although I find that looking slightly down as you have done is the best way to make the chin look pleasant and have more focus on the eyes.

The colors do look really odd in that one, I'm not sure what caused it, lots of purple and green patchy areas almost.

Overall the poses are alright and look natural for the most part. In a few parts are getting cropped off. Not that that is a bad thing necessarily; in fact, I would suggest going for a tighter crop of the face on some of them.

Some of them seem a bit flat, perhaps due to mid-day lighting conditions.

Overall, a good job. The important thing is if the model thinks she looks good in them! :)

Suntiki

10/01/2005 11:09:38 PM · #9

#1 has a great expression and is a beautiful close-up
#2 nice pose, background compliments her coloring

#'s 8 & 12 by far are my favorites in the aspect that they seem to convey her personality, and everything about the poses/lighting is flattering. They have a sweet, natural feel to them.

:) ~beth

10/01/2005 11:23:00 PM · #10

Thanks so much for the helpful feedback. I do have a b/w version of the closeup, but I'm really trying to get the color right. It had a really odd coloring to it to begin with. That one is by far the most edited of any of the shots.

Yep..you're right about the angles too. I've had a fair amount of success with the higher angles so I think I tend to stick to them - but need to be a bit more creative.

The other thing I want to get is a nice diffuser for my flash. (or make one.) I think it would help the fill flash a lot in having more flattering tones.

Thanks again.

mandyturner

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/01/2005 11:27:51 PM · #11

There seems to be some red eye in a few photos. Seems like there was plenty of sunlight. Did you use flash? I am not trying to be mean, but she looks kind of sloppy in most of the photos. There is one where she is sitting by the tree and her posture isn't very good. I guess you where trying to capture her personality, but as a parent I would not buy a picture of my daughter wearing a sloppy jacket and a hat on backwards. I understand too how you just get hired to take the photos and you are not responsible for what they wear. I just took some senior pictures myself and was not thrilled with her hair or choice of jewelry. We can't help that. But I would be ticked if I hired a photographer and he showed me pictures of my child looking like she just crawled out of bed. I am not blaming you or trying to insult you by no means. Please don't get me wrong or get mad. The last thing that I want to do is insult you, I just really felt the need to say exactly what I was thinking when I saw the photos.

10/01/2005 11:40:00 PM · #12

Originally posted by mandyturner:

Hehe....yep. I felt the same way. Those where the first photos we took and they got progressively more feminine as we went and I felt she was getting more comfortable. We took off the big clunky watch, the larger necklace, the hoody....put her hair up in a couple. The few times that I mentioned straightening the shoulders I ended up with a very stiff look. I think that's why I love closeups...it's so much easier than arranging the whole body into a pleasing pose! LOL

Thanks for the input, I do appreciate it. I did use a flash for fill light. We had late afternoon, very sunny conditions. I didn't notice any redeye, so I'll have to go back and look. Any particular ones where you noticed it more?

mandyturner

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/01/2005 11:49:22 PM · #13

there are only two I think, I am so glad you didn't get mad! :)

10/01/2005 11:51:22 PM · #14

Originally posted by mandyturner:

there are only two I think, I am so glad you didn't get mad! :)

There's enough "madness" in this place to go around. I don't think I'll add to it :P

parrothead

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

10/02/2005 12:48:20 AM · #15

Great shots Judy! The mood is good, but I agree with some of the others that they are a bit flat. I also see a bit of red-eye? Besides processing, my only suggestion would be to change your angle a little. It looks as if you shot them all from the same viewpoint? Squatting down, or even laying on your stomach for some of these would give them a much better, and dramatic angle to them. Don't get me wrong, I like what you have done, but a few with some pizazz would really make this set stand out. I HOPE that helps? I am no expert myself, but the kids i shoot usually buy the dramatic shots. Peace out! B