Newborn Photo Shoot no 2 Critique on Composition and Lighting Please

[btafly]

Hi there this is my 2nd newborn photo shoot, just woundering what you think and what could improve this image as i am hoping to go professional soon :-)

Camera Data
Olympus E520
Flash : Did not Fire (but did use strobes)
F Stop: F22
ISO: 100
Lense: 28mm
Shutter 1/250

Thankyou in Advance for your comments

[dblightsey]

I know a lot of people on here do not like shots centered but there are a whole lot of people outside of here that do. I think it works here myself. Its kind of hard to get a good visual without seeing it larger. As for thelighting, I think its a little dark by her arm over her head, right there on her face. Its hard to tell though by the size of the pic.

Also the over top shot usually doesnt work real good, here I think its fine.
Thank you for sharing your shot.

[PS*]

I just have a question.
Why did you chose f22?
I haven't ventured into the land of strobes yet, did using off camera flash impact this?

[SusanH1970]

I'm also wondering why you went with f/22.

It's a cute snapshot, but not a pro-quality portrait. The baby is kind of lost in all the pink blanket, and her skin has a very pink color cast. The dress is bordering on being blown out, and the pose just makes me look at her arm, not her face. She looks a little underexposed, too.

What kind of strobes are you using? What's their placement?

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but if you are planning on going pro, my advice is to practice more, work on composition, exposure, and skin tones.

[cherrygirl]

Originally Posted by btafly

Thankyou for your comments, i will practice more and see how i get on, Have just showen this to the parents of the little girl. and although they have had professional portraits done at a cost of over $800 per child that they have this is the photograph that they prefer out of everything. I think sometimes we have to be less critical of ourselves and make it more about what the parents are wanting this is a shot the mother really wanted as she had two boys previously and did not have much pink so she really wanted a shot with all pink in it which i have given to here. But thankyou all and I take all comments on board.

Just curious why you posted for critique if you didn't really want a critique because "this is the shot the mother really wanted"?

If you really want to go pro....you need to be able to take photos that are YOUR style...sometime (most times) the client doesn't know what works best. That is why they pay to have a professional do the work. If you try to do what the client tells you everytime...you are not going to have much fun and your photos may never look like anything more that just high end snapshots. It is your place as the 'professional' to inform the client what will work best....since they are paying for it.

I'm not saying the photo is bad but I think the previous posters are right...way too much pink, blown out dress.

Take what the clients wants and put your style/spin on it and I think you will enjoy photography more and your clients will be very happy.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by cherrygirl

Just curious why you posted for critique if you didn't really want a critique because "this is the shot the mother really wanted"?

If you really want to go pro....you need to be able to take photos that are YOUR style...sometime (most times) the client doesn't know what works best. That is why they pay to have a professional do the work. If you try to do what the client tells you everytime...you are not going to have much fun and your photos may never look like anything more that just high end snapshots. It is your place as the 'professional' to inform the client what will work best....since they are paying for it.

I'm not saying the photo is bad but I think the previous posters are right...way too much pink, blown out dress.

Take what the clients wants and put your style/spin on it and I think you will enjoy photography more and your clients will be very happy.

Well said.

[btafly]

Ok you have understood me all wrong, the mother had no idea all i new was that she wanted alot of pink which is the reason why i have taken this shot, Like I have said i will take all of your comments on board all my photography work is my own style i have attached another one from the shoot bellow. i have ended up with over 50 useable photographs. This photo shoot that i have just done has resulted in more bookings 8 for another over the next 3 months so i think i must of done something right. But like i said i have taken all comments on board and will use that information within my next photographic shoot.
Thankyou and i am wishing you all the best

[SusanH1970]

The second one is cute, but the baby is extremely underexposed.

[~AJ~]

Definately agree with the others on the first one - too much pink so the baby gets lost. A tasteful & cute nudy shot on the pink blanket would have been nicer.

With the second one, the black background is kind've distracting to me..... I think it would have been better if you'd used a white background & cropped a lot out of it if that makes sense?

But in saying that - they're better shots than I'm capable of at the moment, so I'm jealous as hell LOL!!!!!

[cherrygirl]

While baby nudes are cute...I know that on this site it has been recommended not to post them because of "child porn" and the fine line on what it is. I kinds don't think this one is very tasteful anyway. No disrespect JMO.