Senior Pictures - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/26/2006 04:01:48 PM · #1

My first attempt at "guy" senior shots. Extremely nice young man, not the most photogenic.

These are the 4x6 proofs I have worked up for him. (The actual printed proofs have a watermark copyright on them.)

I'd like a few opinions. Which do you like best? I think the lighting is a bit flat in most of them. How to avoid that? If you're in the sun, then there are contrast / shadow issues. I don't have a reflector...would that help?

The band outfit photos...the hat is supposed to be worn low over the eyes like that, according to him.

I did not charge a sitting fee for this one. I am just going to make money on any prints ordered.

Canon EOS-20D

07/26/2006 04:12:03 PM · #2

It looks like quite a few of your shots are overexposed. That may be part of the issue with the feeling of flatness.

My choices are 64140936, 64140941 and 64140926, I think, although the last one seems to be a tiny bit oversaturated maybe.

On my monitor, it looks ilke adjusting the midtones a bit improves some of them but I'm at work so my monitor isn't calibrated.

Message edited by author 2006-07-26 16:14:00.

07/26/2006 04:19:03 PM · #3

Originally posted by mk:

I'll rethink the editing on them if they appear overexposed. The oversaturation on the last one too. Thanks for the comments!

07/26/2006 04:37:19 PM · #4

One bump before dinner.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/26/2006 07:23:49 PM · #5

Any more comments...please?

carisakD70

Nikon D70

07/26/2006 08:23:26 PM · #6

Judy...I think you did a nice job with these. I find guys a bit harder to do than the girls. I agree that they looks just a touch overexposed, but that could probably be fixed. It would be nice to have a few more of him smiling, or just looking more relaxed (surely he isn't that serious all of the time :) but he will probably love the pictures because they make him look "tough". I have seen the band hats worn in that way before, but they do make for slightly strange looking images don't they! I really like the way that his eyes stand out in some of the shots, very blue. IMHO they are his best feature, so I might try and play it up a bit more by using a few more close ups where you can see them better. I am shooting my first "guy" senior in a few weeks (everything else has been with engagement and weddings), I hope that I get good results. Any tips on making them feel more comfortable?

Plexxoid

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/26/2006 08:46:31 PM · #7

In the first eight, I think the sitting pose does not compliment his body type at all, his shoulders need to be relaxed, and his back should be straight. Also, in the first four (and many others), the background is a bit distracting, you might consider investing in a fast prime; much, much better for portraits.

I really like the stone doorway, I would've spent more time shooting there. Having him sit in the doorway, leaning on one of the sides, and relaxed would be very nice. The poses you have for him don't seem natural.

I'm not so sure about that marching uniform, looks very uncomfortable.

One other thing I noticed is that the eyes look fake, don't touch them in post processing.

Shooting guys can be very difficult, getting a natural smile is the hardest part. Tell him to bring some goofy friends with him if you shoot more.

I apologize if I come across negatively, I would never want to discourage another fellow photographer.

07/26/2006 09:28:35 PM · #8

Originally posted by Plexxoid:

.

One other thing I noticed is that the eyes look fake, don't touch them in post processing.

I apologize if I come across negatively, I would never want to discourage another fellow photographer.

No discouragement...I did ask for comments! I would like to know more about your comment regarding the eyes. He has very slit-like eyes. I didn't do anything to most of the shots. I did work on a few. I'd like to know more about what you mean by fake? Which particular shots show what you mean the most? Thanks