First family shoot

[4monkeez]

Hi, just starting out...self-taught...taking classes where I can and reading A LOT! This is my first family shoot...just friends of friends. Just curious what CC is out there for me? Also do you all mostly shoot RAW? I shot with a Nikon D60, Polarized filter, 55-200mm and some with my kit lens (18-55mm) I also tried to use fill flash from the SB-600...but it is on camera. Some were shot in aperture priority, but most on the portrait setting. Thanks!

[Maik]

Hello 4monkeez,

You did a great composition. I like all the shots. Nice colours, On some pictures I'm missing the fill in flash or maybe check the meetering mode of the camera. Most of the faces are underexposed. Maybe you can post the exif.
But I think you did a great job! Keep it going....

[anniehun]

Hi, I am in the same boat... attending classes, reading a lot, using D60 and just did my first fam portrait (want more of the paralellism? lol)... so by no means I`m a pro or sth, but here is what I think. I love your vivid colors (is it the Portrait setting or you preset main menu/picture setting/vivid?). Anyhow, that`s cool. I also love your compositions. However, I`d encourage you to switch to Aperture mode more often, you won`t regret...
The faces are dark a bit (yeah, underexposed), maybe the flash did not pop or you were too far from the subject(s)... Perhaps do some trials first, check results and then adjust exposure compensation/distance/flash accordingly... I was also told not to crop the photo at joints/ankles etc... (3rd pic)... Overall, I am impressed with your photos, really cool happy atmosphere in them!
(Okay, I promise once I am here with my next shot to critique, you will be invited to do some nitpicking ...lol.)

[4monkeez]

Originally Posted by Maik

Hello 4monkeez,

You did a great composition. I like all the shots. Nice colours, On some pictures I'm missing the fill in flash or maybe check the meetering mode of the camera. Most of the faces are underexposed. Maybe you can post the exif.
But I think you did a great job! Keep it going....

Thanks! Yeah, I am having a hard time with the flash...I can get the right lighting close, but maybe I was too far away? What metering mode would you recommend? I read you should meter off the skin? I guess I need to master aperture mode...to be honest, the manual modes scare me I'll try to post the exif...if I can find it :0

[4monkeez]

Originally Posted by anniehun

Hi, I am in the same boat... attending classes, reading a lot, using D60 and just did my first fam portrait (want more of the paralellism? lol)... so by no means I`m a pro or sth, but here is what I think. I love your vivid colors (is it the Portrait setting or you preset main menu/picture setting/vivid?). Anyhow, that`s cool. I also love your compositions. However, I`d encourage you to switch to Aperture mode more often, you won`t regret...
The faces are dark a bit (yeah, underexposed), maybe the flash did not pop or you were too far from the subject(s)... Perhaps do some trials first, check results and then adjust exposure compensation/distance/flash accordingly... I was also told not to crop the photo at joints/ankles etc... (3rd pic)... Overall, I am impressed with your photos, really cool happy atmosphere in them!
(Okay, I promise once I am here with my next shot to critique, you will be invited to do some nitpicking ...lol.)

Thanks! I know, I know...aperture mode! It scares me!! I need to just practice it more with my own kiddos...the setting was portrait...the colors that day WERE vivid, which worked well for me ! Also, I did post process a bit. There is just SO much to learn...I am loving it though!!