My first photo op - Need help to improve

[AbeWestfall]

Hey all.
I've just started to get into people photography and had my first opportunity yesterday and need some input.
Here's one pic, one of my favs from it.
6068957121_58f7af506f_b.jpg
Also, here's the whole album on flickr:
Here

I'm looking for basic things like "you're doing this wrong on every pic" type of thing.
Though input on an individual picture basis is ok too.

Also, gear info:
Nikon D7000 with Tamron 70-200 f2.8 lens.
Also used Nikkor 35mm f1.8 prime and Tamron 28-75 f2.8.

Had SB700 flash with built-in diffuser and deflection shield with it pointed at a 45 degree angle on the body with the 70-200 lens.
Sigma EF-530 flash on the other body with built-in diffuser on it.
Sometimes bounce, but not usually cuz it didn't really work.

[Rentham]

You should vary your composition more. Almost all of the shots are really close crops of the face. It would be nice to have more environmental and contextual shots. You're getting direct flash on the subject in many of the shots, causing flat lighting and distracting shadows on the walls behind them. There's nothing going on in most of the shots. That reinforces the feeling that these are basically snapshots or grab shots.

Use the walls of the room, not just the ceiling, to bounce flash to create directional lighting. You'll also need to affix a foam half snoot to your flash head to flag it. That will block direct flash from hitting the subject.

[AbeWestfall]

Great, thanks for your input!

Since I'm so new, is there a site/article you could point me to with some example comps in order to know what types of shots I ought to be taking?

I understand what you're saying about nothing going on, any thoughts on how to fix that?
I mean, I'm really new to this and so anything that might should be obvious would be good.

I have a flash box diffuser, would that do the same job as the half snoot, or do a different job with the same end result of a better looking picture without flash harshness and shadows?

Once again, thanks for the time.
I know not everyone wants to come in and critique a whole album and I thank you for doing so.

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by AbeWestfall

Since I'm so new, is there a site/article you could point me to with some example comps in order to know what types of shots I ought to be taking? I understand what you're saying about nothing going on, any thoughts on how to fix that? I mean, I'm really new to this and so anything that might should be obvious would be good.

That is largely subject to personal taste and the context of the event. Events are social, so I usually want to see interaction between people. I think this is probably your best shot from the set:


Untitled by vikemosabe, on Flickr

Originally Posted by AbeWestfall

I have a flash box diffuser, would that do the same job as the half snoot, or do a different job with the same end result of a better looking picture without flash harshness and shadows?

Start here: http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/02/2...-bounce-flash/

[SGToliver]

I agree with that being your best shot from the group as well. Here is what I noticed from your gallery:

All of your shots are too close (already mentioned)

I am assuming this was a birthday party but I only gathered that by the fact there was a clown. If this is some special event you should try to include more of the environment in your images.

It seems that none of your photos were very sharp. Without looking at the exif data (because it is dinner time and I need to get off now) I dont know why this is.

Lastly, you only got a few photos were your subject was making eye contact with you/the camera. Try to engage your subject!

[AbeWestfall]

Originally Posted by Rentham

That is largely subject to personal taste and the context of the event. Events are social, so I usually want to see interaction between people. I think this is probably your best shot from the set:
Start here: http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/02/2...-bounce-flash/

OK, thanks again.
I'll check out that link.

Originally Posted by SGToliver

I agree with that being your best shot from the group as well. Here is what I noticed from your gallery:

All of your shots are too close (already mentioned)

I am assuming this was a birthday party but I only gathered that by the fact there was a clown. If this is some special event you should try to include more of the environment in your images.

It seems that none of your photos were very sharp. Without looking at the exif data (because it is dinner time and I need to get off now) I dont know why this is.

Lastly, you only got a few photos were your subject was making eye contact with you/the camera. Try to engage your subject!

It was not a party, it was a random event where a newly opened yogurt shop hired the clown to make balloon animals and I got shoehorned in simply to take pictures for experience.
Regarding engaging the subject do you mean simply let them I'm photoing them so they look at me and smile all together, or do you mean more than that?

On a side note, how do I see exif data on flickr?
I used iPhoto to upload the pictures and I uploaded the jpgs, do I need to use the raw images in order to have that info included?
Is that something photographers generally just add manually when they upload to flickr?

I do have Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture, but didn't use them because I don't know how as yet.

[3bayjunkie]

kids with food all over their face isn't very good for your photo. If you don't have control over it, I would just not shoot the kid with food on his face haha! your lighting is crap. that could be partly due to you using direct flash. try raising your ISO to about 1600 for indoors and bounce flash if you have to... You sure have some nice lenses and camera for being so new, so im sure someone must have helped you pick those out. Good job because those are pretty much the same gear i would buy. try to get some good natural light in your subjects.

[AbeWestfall]

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

kids with food all over their face isn't very good for your photo. If you don't have control over it, I would just not shoot the kid with food on his face haha! your lighting is crap. that could be partly due to you using direct flash. try raising your ISO to about 1600 for indoors and bounce flash if you have to... You sure have some nice lenses and camera for being so new, so im sure someone must have helped you pick those out. Good job because those are pretty much the same gear i would buy. try to get some good natural light in your subjects.

I appreciate it!

Regarding iso: why use such a high iso?
I had plenty of light, especially with a flash.
Wouldn't 1600 be crazy grainy, or make it way too bright?
Mind you, I'm not trying to argue, really am just trying to understand so I can get better shots.

Rentham: I get you on the half snoot now, good read, thanks for the link.

[Eyad]

Let me add my point of view on this one...

I love such events/ gatherings and I always strive to get the best out of it which can compose a beautiful album that fully projects the right atmosphere for the viewers.

1- Light is bad (sorry for being blunt). I'd go for natural light (if there is enough of it in the room) and bump the ISO to 800 MAX while opening up the lens to f/4.0 (sometimes f/2.8 if needed). If that was not possible due to low light conditions use flash... come early and do test shots with MANUAL settings of your flash to determine the right power you'll need to use indoors... Once the crowd are in, you're ready to shoot bouncing on walls or using a bounce card (usually the small one on the Nikon flash is enough).

2- No eye contact! I always look for this element as it gives life and expression to the frame.. try talking to the subject or surprising them with the shot from a candid place at the right moment, but always look for eye contact.... If not possible you can take the shot with wider zoom to focus more on the space rather than the face.

3- Some pics are out of focus, be careful with the wide open lenses or AV modes as they might use low shutter speed to compensate for the loss of light. If you are using the flash, try using also manual mode to freeze the shutter speed @ 60 or even 100 while keeping the aperature open @ 4 or 3.5... you'll always get constant exposure with great sharpness.

4- In the events, try using your 35mm lens to include the baloons, mother, friend or any kind of interaction that shows the viewer the event activity that took place.

Note: DON'T use the Stofen or "Diffuser" dome while pointing @ 45 digrees... This DOESN'T diffuse and give better light... this basically sends the light in ALL directions which sucks the life and power out of your batteries and cause longer recycle time of your flash.... Just bounce on walls or use cards... always watch for shadows.

Hope this helped

Happy shooting!!

[AbeWestfall]

Thanks again for all the great responses.
I did a birthday party this past Sunday and took this advice to heart.
Trying to build a port and I really appreciate the input you guys have given me.

On a side note: I was out doing some macro stuff with my son wandering around and got this shot of him.