Here's one for you

[RLucas]

Ok, so I really don't shoot people that much, but someone is needing my help with a senior shoot coming up. My girlfriend's daughter is actually willing to help me out with some practice.

Does the composition work? I am gonna need some posing help!

The eye squinting, I am having a problem with. Everywhere I put her, she was squinting. Even in the shade. I was using a white reflector. Does anyone have advice on this?
She has beautiful eyes, I just wish she would open them up.

Do the colors/lighting work? To me, it's too harsh, but I have been looking at this way too long.

Any other advice/critique would be greatly appreciated!





Camera Nikon D70
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[scootermcq]

Hey Richard:

Composition works for me, and color etc works. What doesn't for me is the harsh light & the squinting. Judging by the shadows on her face, I think the sun is high in the sky. Do the shot at 7am or 7pm. This time of day just does not work. I hate when bridal parties get married at 1 and want outdoor portraits at 3 pm. There is really no way to get a shot I am happy with unless you can find deep shade and use flash. One way to get around the squinting would be to have an assistant hold your reflector up without the cover to use it as a diffuser and use fill flash.

Really, I think the only problem is the time of day you are trying to shoot.

[BigFuzzy]

Agreed with Scooter, the main issue is the brightness of the sun, period. You get that out of the way, you're golden. And the idea of using the shine through part of the reflector is a good one, not only does it cut down on the brightness in her eyes, it diffuses the light making it softer as it's now a 'larger' light source, especially if placed close to her.

And the issue with her still squinting in the shade is that she must have still been facing the open part where the light was coming in. Try to get it more to her sides, heck even behind her when in the shade.

You want ideas posing, go to Michellemoore.com, she's awesome for senior shoots.
All she uses (allegedly) is natural light, so there's a lot to learn from her.
Good luck mate!

[RLucas]

Thanks guys! I am so used to using the light that is there, that actually trying to shape it is a whole new boundary for me! I really don't have a proper reflector as of yet, I was using a car shade with the white side facing out. I have other ideas for diffusing, so thanks for the tips!
I did this at about 6:30pm yesterday, and thought the light was diffuse enough, but I guess I was wrong?

Thanks for the link Al! Her site is great! It's definitely not 1985! lol! Susan shared some links with me too, and some good advice! I appreciate the help!

[BigFuzzy]

You're welcome.. just make sure you post some results.

[RLucas]

Sure! No problem!

[RLucas]

Ok guys, so I followed your advice, and got her deeper in the shade. Waited a little later this evening to shoot as well. About 7:15pm. I moved her to where the direction sun was coming across her left shoulder, and moved the reflector at a45deg angle to her right.


Shutter 1/100
focal length 95mm
aperture f4.2
ISO 400



Better?

I know it's a little soft. Slow shutter speed gave me a bit of shake, coupled with some noise.

[SusanH1970]

Luke, I love the light SO much better one the 2nd one.....but not a fan of the pose.

She's got the "up the nose" thing going on which is never flattering. If she'd tilted her head down a few degrees this would have been lovely! Do you have any from different angles?

[RLucas]

LOL! I do, but they are silly, and she forbade me to put them on the internet. I shot that one kind of low, and didn't even think about going up her nose. I only took about six or seven frames, and the only other one I uploaded was a straight on shot that was black and white. So much to learn!
Luckily, I have a while to get this thing together.
Thanks for pointing that out Susan!

[Nekrose]

The second one is MUCH better!

You can even try using a diffuser. I always end up using one because I have harsh light at 8am here in Hawaii.

Diffusers are life savers! And I don't have to worry about squinting. Even when using a white reflector, I would always have people squinting. The diffuser cuts that out.