First Attempt at taking formal Pictures

[markduncan84]

Just upgraded from a point and shoot to an entry level DSLR and my two nieces had a prom in the same week so I was tasked with taking pictures for the family. As a beginner I would love any feedback on these photos so I can improve.

Camera: Nikon D5000
Exposhure: 1/50 sec.
Apeture: f/4
Focal Lenth: 55mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposhure Bias: +1.3
Flash: flash did not fire

[jpel3500]

I am really just a newbie on here, but Damn! I think that is an awsome shot!. As good as anything you would want to see in a magazine.

JDPelfrey

[lputman]

I've looked and looked at this portrait and I must say that I do not like the positioning of her left arm. It seems to be coming out of nowhere. I like that we are viewing her hands from the side and not flat. There seems to be a greenish tint in the shadows, that can be fixed in post. For formals, I would expect to see at least a 3/4 to full length pose. Keep shooting

[ShamJolimie]

very good lighting. although i would have preferred her face to be less centered.

[jpel3500]

Ahem, and that is why I am here to learn! Grin. I see what they are saying, just didn't see it at first. Still a good picture IMO. But apperantly could be better. Darn there is alot to learn about taking a &^(*)( Picture!.LOL

JDPelfrey

[WooD]

I think it's really nice, especially for a first attempt.

Her left arm really bothers me, it seems too long for the rest of her body. I did a crop, which I think looks better, but theres still something about her arm that doesn't seem right.

I'll remove this ASAP if you want.

[RLucas]

The only thing I see that bothers me, other than the green tint, is the centered composition. The branch seems to be cutting her in half, making it look like she is floating in thin air. I would crop some off of the right and bottom, just enough to get rid of the triangulated area of green on the bottom right, which will anchor her in the frame a little more. As far as exposure and focus goes, it's very well done! Did you use any type of reflector or fill flash?
Good first attempt!

[utsc2006]

I think posing her with a tree is distracting. Plus, prom is all about the dress and we don't see any of it here.

[loriejean72]

Hi, I think technically, the picture is very nice and clear and the color and lighting is good. I agree that the arms look over posed and unnatural. What I do is direct the model/subject to do many different poses until something looks really good. With practice that will come naturally...you'll know what is going to look good. You could practice poses with a friend or family member if you don't want to bother a paying customer... I would think that maybe showing just her hands on the tree and some wrist would have looked better...and possibly showing her body just a bit under the tree limb... I guess, I just don't like that both arms are posed in the same manner...The left arm could have been possed differently.

[Carlos Santos]

Well for me the crop is alright, I would light her face in photoshop and darken the tree because I think it is to bright in relation to the girl's face. Well that's just me.