Super Amateur Senior Pictures

[somesimplegirl]

Hi, I've been stalking this whole website for what seems like a month now.. because last year my parents gave me a Canon Rebel EOS XS for graduation. Honestly, I don't really know how to use it. However, after my cousin had a very horrible experience with the photographers at our high school with her overpriced and not worth how much they were asking for portraits, she asked me to take some.. so I tried. What do you think? I took all of them with my Canon XS, with the Kit lens - Canon Zoom EF-S 18-55mm. I don't have a speedlight or any filters or anything on my camera. I didn't use a tripod or anything special - in fact all of these pictures were taken around my grandparent's house & the beach 5 minutes away. The only thing I even had with me was a ladder.

Camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 29 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

chasity - a set on Flickr

From this little project I've got a few people who are asking me to take pictures of their kids or their wife or anybody really (I've had 5 in total..) basically because I'm from a small town and we don't have many area photographers. I really want some serious critiques, points, tips, anything for these pictures and the future projects that I'm being asked to do.

One small thing I would like to add was, my cousin was a terrible model.. It was very hard to make her not look awkward in the photos.

Thank you so much in advance. (:

[docxnoel]

Hi somesimplegirl,

First you need to read the critique forum rules, it is better that you will choose one of your best shots then paste it here instead of linking to you whole set, then the EXIF data.

I look your flickr set, It's a good start, you have a good eye in composing your photo. but, there is a lot to be improve;

1. You have a busy background, so many distraction that keeping away from your main subject.

2. You have to work for your depth of field., thats for now and I'm leaving some critiques for the other.

So keep in mind, when photographing such thing ask yourself "What I want to photograph, what will be my main subject, how can I make this interesting?"

[fais54]

Originally Posted by somesimplegirl

My cousin was a terrible model.. It was very hard to make her not look awkward in the photos.

I think your cousin looks fine, and I feel like most of what is wrong with these photo's are from a photographer standpoint. One thing I can say is, be aware of your surroundings and where you are shooting, be aware of what angle will be flattering to the model, and maybe pick a day that isn't so sunny or shoot in the shade. The photo's on the beach vs. the ones on the farm look so much better because of the lighting. You don't really need any special equipment to get good photo's.

I would suggest you pick one photo that you like the best for us to critique, because I doubt people are going to go through all 54.

[BigFuzzy]

As I can't really spend time on each image (though I did look at them all briefly) I do have some general comments that will help with anything in the future.

1. Do NOT shoot in full direct sunlight. Pretty much all of your images have exposure issues related to shooting in bright direct daylight. Without a proper flash (and knowledge on how to use it) or not putting your subject in open shade, all of these types will always suffer. Always. Just don't do it. The ones at the beach were clearly later in the day as the light was much softer on your subject.

2. Get and learn how to use flash. Not saying you always have to use it, but this whole shoot would have been tons better. It would have helped you balance out the harsh day time light and brought out more detail in your subject in the beach shots.

3. You did a good job of trying different perspectives at times, but your composition, for the most part, was pretty standard dead-center which can get boring. Keep doing the "get higher or get lower change angle" thing which you did well at times.

The ones with her against the wooden wall were the best ones and the beach ones (due to the lighting) had the most potential.

I know I sound a bit harsh and that you're really new at this, but you did ask for it and I think you need to hear it now so that you can get on it now and start working towards improvement. Best thing I ever heard when I was staring out was along the lines of "yeah, your photo and the 10billion others just like it!"

I'm not saying you suck or anthing, but you definitely need to work on some of the very basics, particularly thinking about your lighting (both using the natural and flash). With just a bit more experience/knowledge, these could have been a lot better.. so I hope that motivates you. Good luck and keep posting.

[atomalbert]

I agree with all the above! I'm new. But from what I've learnt reading DPS and other photography tutorial websites, FOCUS is important. IMHO, the better potrait shots in the set were the ones where your cousin was in focus.

[3bayjunkie]

Originally Posted by docxnoel

Hi somesimplegirl,

First you need to read the critique forum rules, it is better that you will choose one of your best shots then paste it here instead of linking to you whole set, then the EXIF data.

I look your flickr set, It's a good start, you have a good eye in composing your photo. but, there is a lot to be improve;

1. You have a busy background, so many distraction that keeping away from your main subject.

2. You have to work for your depth of field., thats for now and I'm leaving some critiques for the other.

So keep in mind, when photographing such thing ask yourself "What I want to photograph, what will be my main subject, how can I make this interesting?"

I agrees. Also you need to tighten up your composition. You have too much of the background in the photo for a portrait type shot. Another thing I will say is your exposures are all over the place. Push in close to your subject. get a light meter reading and then step back and set your aperture and shutter speed for a correct exposure. one more quick thing, If you are not sure on the exposure, you could always do an additional shot at -2/3. Good luck.

[somesimplegirl]

Thanks for all your comments you guys. I definitely did NOT take offense to any of them, I promise!

Those were really helpful though, because honestly I have no idea what I'm doing.

I should probably read through the manual again, and play with some settings.

Thank you! (: