First shoot with a new lens.

[Jacinta Heather]

This was my favourite from the shoot. The full set is here.

I only recently decided to get serious about my photography. So I've been studying like mad for a while and this is the first attempt at a more 'professional' shoot.

I used my new Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens with my Canon EOS 50D. The shoot was done indoors facing glass double doors, handheld and using only natural light.

Processing included increasing the exposure, contrast, blacks and clarity (plus slightly decreasing the vibrance and saturation) in Adobe Camera Raw and some slight 'cross processed' curves I made using Photoshop itself.

Is there anything obviously 'wrong' with the pictures?
I tried to match the colouring for all twelve images, did it work out at all?
How could I improve my shooting or processing?

I'd really like any advice or tips (although gentleness is appreciated).

Thanks for reading.

[wigglebugsmom]

I looked at the whole set on flickr. They look good. It seems like the cropping is off a little. I like a little more space around the top of the head if most of the head is left showing. The tone and color are nice,very warm. You did not adjust the color at all? My work is usually so much cooler under the same lighting. I wonder if that is the difference between Cannon and Nikon.
I am in about the same place as you are with photo, just getting serious, as you say. I wish you luck. You can find me on flickr too

[zona5101]

Hi and welcome
I think your series is darn fine and all the images look well done and processing matches as far as I can tell. Sorry I really don't have a critique, this image is very well done and I wouldn't change anything or add anything. Nice work.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Hi and welcome
I think your series is darn fine and all the images look well done and processing matches as far as I can tell. Sorry I really don't have a critique, this image is very well done and I wouldn't change anything or add anything. Nice work.

+1 to what Bruce said. I really like the mood you were able to get on this image. The PP is not over the top, and very subtle. I really have no critique as well. Except good job!

I also checked out the set on flickr, and my two faves are "clarity" and "natural". Both of those girls look very natural in front of a camera.

[Niresangwa]

This is beautiful. One of the better images I"ve seen offered up for critique around here. The crop, is just a little to close to the left side of the frame, only a little. The lack of emotion on her face is perfect, the lighting is wonderful. I didnt look at the other shots from the set. Depending on your ability to do so, i think a duochrome or black and white conversion might be worth a shot here.

[sk66]

Very nice set... Lovely models!
To me this image looks just a bit too red.
(but my monitor is overdue calibration)

As an overall critique of the set I would say that you seem to consistently cut off part of the head etc...While there's nothing "wrong" with that if done for a purpose it just seems you are working/cropping a bit too tight overall.

[carlyfan]

Awesome shots Jacinta!! I love your DoF on this one! My favorites from the set are pretty and purity.

Lisa

[gunners67]

I really love your set, beautiful natural lighting and neutral colouring fantastic. i don`t mind the slight cropping of the top of the head and works well with most shots imho.Have to agree with one coment made and that is her positioning within the frame is a little to left for me other than that this could be a pro`s photo imho of course

[erikaj]

I really like the simplicity of this image. Nice work. Wouldn't change a thing. What a natural beauty that girl is! And, I love the 50mm 1.4 lens. It's the lens I seem to have on my camera the most.

[Jacinta Heather]

Thank you for all the lovely and helpful replies.

Originally Posted by wigglebugsmom

You did not adjust the color at all? My work is usually so much cooler under the same lighting. I wonder if that is the difference between Cannon and Nikon.

Originally Posted by sk66

Very nice set... Lovely models!
To me this image looks just a bit too red.
(but my monitor is overdue calibration)

I did adjust the colours, both in Adobe Camera Raw (white balance) and Photoshop (curves). I synched the white balance for all images in the set, the original for this image was slightly lower.

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

The crop, is just a little to close to the left side of the frame, only a little.

Originally Posted by gunners67

Have to agree with one coment made and that is her positioning within the frame is a little to left for me other than that this could be a pro`s photo imho of course

Originally Posted by sk66

As an overall critique of the set I would say that you seem to consistently cut off part of the head etc...While there's nothing "wrong" with that if done for a purpose it just seems you are working/cropping a bit too tight overall.

I agree, this photo was taken slightly too far to the left. I'm also aware that I tend to take photos a little tighly, I don't usually mind myself but I'll try to minimize it in the future as others may find it distracting.

Originally Posted by erikaj

I really like the simplicity of this image. Nice work. Wouldn't change a thing. What a natural beauty that girl is! And, I love the 50mm 1.4 lens. It's the lens I seem to have on my camera the most.

I'm so glad I bought this lens too. It's wonderful.

Thanks again for the feedback.