First Professional (Pro bono) Shoot

[maxness]

Hi all,

This is my second posting here on DPS but my first asking for a critique. I took up photography as a hobby a few years ago and have been self-teaching myself since then. In the past few months I've gotten to really hate my job and decided to try doing some weekend freelance photography work.

This is my first shoot ever with someone who isn't genetically attached to me in some way. She is a senior and a family friend and couldn't afford to have professional senior pictures taken. I offered to take them for her for the experience and just to do something nice. Here is one of the pictures from the first half of the shoot, which was done in early September:



EXIF:
Camera: Canon PowerShot A620
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/4.1
Focal Length: 29.2 mm
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

The others are in my Flickr photostream (Flickr: mitchaxness' Photostream) and feel free to check them out.

The critiques I would like are:

1) Do the colors appear correct? I think I've learned a good method of color correction but am never sure. Just when I think I have it down a handful come out looking like crap.

2) You may not notice it on these, but after printing them I noticed I accidentally oversharpened them. Should I sharpen every image or just the ones I think need it?

3) Does the composition look good? Photoshop doesn't have the 'rule of thirds' grid in their cropping tool like some other programs do, so I just eyeball it and hope it looks good.

The second half of the shoot (indoor shots) was done after Thanksgiving and I had upgraded to a new DSLR in that time, so some of the EXIF data on those will be different.

I look forward to any thoughts and/or recommendations from anyone. There is always good advice given on these forums.

[CheaperKings]

Greetings! Your shots are really good -- there's no doubt about that. But, in my opinion (which is no more than just that), some of your outdoor shots could use a little more light on her face. A really soft light. That would've made them perfect to me. As for your studio shots, they're spot-on! I wouldn't change anything on them! I think you did an awesome job!

[monday]

I agree with CheaperKings. Your studio shots are great. These outdoor shots look like they need maybe an off camera flash, or even just a little reflector, perhaps both? Anyway, that was a nice thing you did. If you're going to give her some on a CD you should think about putting a link to your site or something. Just a suggestion. Good Luck!

[maxness]

Thank you for all of the positive feedback! I was really happy with how the studio ones turned out, my favorite is still the one in the post though. I have now invested in a small lighting system but will really look into getting a reflector since they're cheap and easy to use.

A question about cropping. I've cropped all of these to 8X10 but when I get them printed at 4X6 some of the image is cut off. Is there a good method to cropping, starting with 8X10 then working down to 4X6 or starting at 4X6 and going up to 8X10?

[monday]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but you never want to make a picture bigger than the original size. That will distort it. The best thing to do in my opinion would be to crop the ones you want 8x10 at 8x10 and then crop the other 4x6 at 4x6. A little more work, but that way you don't cut any of the image off.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by maxness

Thank you for all of the positive feedback! I was really happy with how the studio ones turned out, my favorite is still the one in the post though. I have now invested in a small lighting system but will really look into getting a reflector since they're cheap and easy to use.

A question about cropping. I've cropped all of these to 8X10 but when I get them printed at 4X6 some of the image is cut off. Is there a good method to cropping, starting with 8X10 then working down to 4X6 or starting at 4X6 and going up to 8X10?

Shoot loose (for the 4 x 6 crop) then do all post work (like retouching etc) to the image and then save it. Then if you need an 8 x 10 from the same image crop it from the loose image. See my example image below. If you shoot too tightly and then want an 8 x 10 you may lose something of importance (like the top of the subject's head or perhaps some fingers.)

Benji

[daddyoproductions]

+1...good tip Benji
~C

[syphlix]

the photo you posted here... something to try could be to keep her all the way in the shade... i'm personally not a big fan of half shade and half harsh direct sun...

if not possible could have someone hold a diffusion panel above her

[maxness]

Thanks for all the tips! Benji, I'll have to give that a shot when I get home tonight.

[Mad Ged]

I agree with the other posters, you have done a good job but the outdoor pics could do with better light balance. The studio pics are great.

As for the rule of thirds, I am also getting my head around learning more about composition and cropping. Here is a link to a download of a free action for Photoshop to place grid lines on the image:

ShutterFreaks Photoshop actions - Rule of Thirds

Cheers,

Gerard