First Maternity shoot

[polarismagic]

This was my first Maternity shoot. Please let me know what I could have done differently or what you see that I can see for next time.






Taken on February 10, 2012 at 7.49pm CST (edit)
Posted to Flickr February 11, 2012 at 5.36PM CST (edit)

Exif data
Camera Nikon Coolpix P500
Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture f/4.4
Focal Length 9.4 mm
ISO Speed 160
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
X-Resolution 1
Y-Resolution 1
Software picnik.com

[klr]

I would try to do away with the vignette you chose. I find that kind can make photos look super tacky and I've never really seen them done well.

I guess that's more of a personal preference thing but with vignettes usually the reason I use them is to subtly bring focus into the subject of the photo and I find with the white ones it just draws my attention to the border of a photo.

[ccting]

I would like to ask about Maternity shoot. Is that suitable for Muslim's culture? Any idea?

[Life in Motion]

Hey there! don't use direct harsh light from a window....find a window that is north or south facing to prevent actual sun rays coming through (light comes up/down east and west). if you can not find this, use a panel of material to difuse the light coming through, a thin white cloth will work. the problem with direct light is it's hard to balance the settings on your camera to calm the brightness verses darkness. your lights are too bright and darks too dark. imagine if you start with a softer/more even light from a north facing window, starting with a light that the darks and lights are already subtle makes it easier to expose or control the light on your subject. direct harsh light can be used effective for drama BUT very difficult to learn to do so well on portraits!

try finding a shaded area outside if inside there isn't a good place for this! and remember best time of day for outside portraits is the last couple of hours before dark or first couple of hours of daylight!

hope this helps!

keep practicing...

[Janre_Renee]

Hello,

I would not use the vignette or do not use it so harsh. If you are going to use a vignette make it more soft, when a vignette is to hard (in some cases) it will not make the picture a little to distracting. (when I look at this photograph my eyes focus more on your vignette then your photograph.) Remember she is pregnant, you want try to make your photographs more delicate for a maternity or baby session. I think that if you have this sort of session, it should be more soft. The photograph will tell your story. She also has a very harsh shadow where the light is coming in. If you are going to use harsh light like that, I would suggest to do a silhouette, so the light is beaming around her.

The background is a bit distracting..Maybe if you had your f a bit lower to blur it out a bit more, or maybe get in a bit closer so you see more of her tummy and less of the crib. The focus should be on her tummy and expressions.

I think the way you positioned her is very nice, maybe next time try to show her face a bit more. (happiness, love, etc..) I think if you saw more of her profile it would help the picture also.

I think for your first session not to bad. Keep working at it. Practice makes perfect!!

If you would like some examples...I have done some maternity sessions I could post to show you.

Thanks for sharing your session.

[polarismagic]

Thanks Charity. These were taken early in the morning but she wanted a pic with the crib in the background and the only way we could do that was with that light. I did end up putting a cloth up to block some of the light so it wasn't so strong. I personally kind of liked the sun as it hit right on her belly but you are right with what you are saying. Here is another view of the same way but with the cloth in front of the window.

[tsy72001]

I like the first one the best, the last one to me is tacky. I rather see her tummy than her behind.