Family on the Ledge- I need a lot of direction with this!

[becksjd]

Hi Everybody!

So this is a photo of a family I know. They asked me to take some more unique family photos of them. I have never taken family photos before, so I was pretty nervous and to be honest, I did not know what I was doing! Luckily they were laid back and so much fun. Anyway, so here is an example, I didn't post any others of my time with them on my flickr yet, so this is it for now.

My main question that I have been dying to ask:

I posted this particular one because I want to learn the art of black and white! What makes a good black and white shot? From reading others' posts and critiques I see that is requires more black and white and less gray. How do I achieve this? Did I achieve this, I'm thinking no. Can someone give me an idea of how to do this properly? Are there things I look for in a photo to know if it will be good as a black and white? (Is this a dumb question?).

My other questions:

How are my poses? I think it would have been nicer had the parents not been in the picture (I really regret not taking them out) , but what do you think? Does it look good? Is there another place you think I could have put the parents to make it look better so that I could still include them in?

I am obviously way lower than they are and I found it really awkward shooting this pose (though I loved the kids on the ledge when I got them there). I stood on a little prop chair I had. But does my positioning show and make it look awkward?

Composition, are there too many stairs in the picture? Did I position them weird?

I know, I am asking for so much in this post, but I wanted to be specific so that I don't just get an "I don't like this picture" comment. I need direction, I want to get better! I'm a beginner, I don't charge, I do it because I am interested and challenged in a good way! Thank you so much for your time!

Becky




Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Exposure Time: 1 / 60
Flash: Flash did not fire
FlashPix Version: 1.0
FNumber: 5.6
Focal Length: 38
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 57
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Light Source: Cloudy weather

[MrJones]

ok, here is my 2 cents:
1. I like how you set them up but I can't understand why you didn't shoot in landscape mode. in the photo we have a lot of stairs at the bottom which I'm not sure if they really need to be there as family photos are about people and less about the space.
2. as for the B&W I think you did ok, you have good contrast in the photo. you might be able to add a bit, but not too much.
3. the parents - it would have made a cool picture of the kids sitting on the wall if the parents we're out of it. you could zoom in more and shoot in landscape and it would have turned out great.
4. the mom is at the edge of the photo while you have some space to spare on the left.

honestly, the main thing that bothers me are the stairs that I just feel like they contribute nothing to the photo.
all the other things are not THAT critical.

[becksjd]

Thanks for your input. I didn't consider space and honestly didn't know and still not sure how I would take it where the stairs aren't in it based on how the building is and how high up they were. But I agree now that I view it in that light.

I think it gives me good things to think about because I don't think I pay attention to space in my pictures.

This is good. Thanks for the help Mr.Jones.

Becky

[LeeR]

I am not bothered by the stairs but I am bothered by where you have place the parents. Your composition is pretty good EXCEPT for that. Place the parents on the stairs below the kids and I think you'll be a lot happier with the results.

[becksjd]

Here is one I did, though it isn't the best, I put the parents below first because I thought it would be better, but I didn't like how they covered their feet, maybe I should have put them lower down... I don't know.

[LeeR]

I understand you don't like that some of the kids feet are covered (I really don't think it's a problem) but either way, you have to admit, it's a much better composition. Could the parents have been sitting on the steps? Or put the parents on the ledge and let the kids line the steps?

[MrJones]

to tell the truth, I think the first one is better. I just don't like the way the feet are mixing with the parents.
other than that, you have another problem with the first photo - you made the mother way bigger than she really is
I wouldn't show that to the mom!

and again, I still feel a horizontal composition would have worked better, something like this but with extra space on the sides and including parents feet.

[naeno]

I don't mind the stairs (they make an interesting line), and I thought you did a pretty good B&W convertion. Maybe I'm off, but I'm really bothered by the fact that dad is on a lower step than mom. Guys generally like to be taller than women, and I think the composition makes him look WAY shorter than her. Otherwise, nicely done.

[highlydope]

Something else to think about, larger individuals tend to look better in front facing poses instead of from the side.

[Palladius]

Not sure how helpful this is, cos I have almost the opposite opinion to everyone else.

I love the stairs, I think they lead into the photo brilliantly. I also like the parents placed to one side, in fact I'd go so far as to say I'd quite like a little bit more seperation between them and the kids... just a sliver of space between the dad's back arm and the kids.