I've been asked to photgraph my friend's family...HELP!!!

[SusanH1970]

Wish I could help you out with Lightroom, but I don't use it at all. Hopefully a Lightroom master will chime in here.

[natek313]

If I remember correctly, when you open the RAW file in Lightroom, you should have some options for making adjustments (exposure, brightness, contrast, etc.).

Just bump up the exposure slightly with the exposure adjustment.

I'm a Photoshop CS3 guy, and I've only been in Lightroom a handful of times, so don't quote me on any of this...

[naeno]

Love them! It looks like you all had a blast! You did a great job!

I'm an Aperture girl, but I brought your pics into Aperture, adjusted WB and exposure. The one of the beach didn't experience any blow out at all, the other one, you need to be a bit more careful with. It has some bright spots, but even those should fairly easily be fixed with a recovery slider. Let me know if you want these removed.

Good job!

[Cindie Lou]

Originally Posted by naeno

Love them! It looks like you all had a blast! You did a great job!

I'm an Aperture girl, but I brought your pics into Aperture, adjusted WB and exposure. The one of the beach didn't experience any blow out at all, the other one, you need to be a bit more careful with. It has some bright spots, but even those should fairly easily be fixed with a recovery slider. Let me know if you want these removed.

Good job!

I'm an Aperture gal as well but I'm not sure what you meant by "brought your pics into Aperture"? Did you use Photoshop? The one on the beach has had some PP and the rock was removed....she has decided to have it in B&W. If you could remove the bright spots please..that would be great. I guess my laptop doesn't register the bright spots...I don't see them.
Thank You

[Cindie Lou]

Thanks....I just found those simple adjustments today....easy once you know how!

[naeno]

So, are you all set or do you need any additional help?

[Cindie Lou]

Originally Posted by naeno

So, are you all set or do you need any additional help?

Thanks for all your help and encouragement Lynnae.....I think I got it!

[SuperDan]

missed the followup on these, but.. they did turn out really good and looks like you did have fun, which... yes is one of the most important things...

one recommendation though that I personally am having a hard time with on your photos is the eyes... it seems that they are everywhere.. in neither of the two are all four people looking directly at the camera.

also, i understand your nervousness, but when you do your next, take off of auto and at least put into P mode.. and play with some of the aperature at least as the beach one would have been better with the background out of focus. (that rock or whatever over dads shoulder keeps grabbing my eye) but, that too can also be taken out with some photoshop work.

great job! i cant wait to see the next one!

[Cindie Lou]

Originally Posted by SuperDan

missed the followup on these, but.. they did turn out really good and looks like you did have fun, which... yes is one of the most important things...

one recommendation though that I personally am having a hard time with on your photos is the eyes... it seems that they are everywhere.. in neither of the two are all four people looking directly at the camera.

also, i understand your nervousness, but when you do your next, take off of auto and at least put into P mode.. and play with some of the aperature at least as the beach one would have been better with the background out of focus. (that rock or whatever over dads shoulder keeps grabbing my eye) but, that too can also be taken out with some photoshop work.

great job! i cant wait to see the next one!

Dan, thanks so much for all the great advise. No that you mentioned their eyes I see what you mean. I have a paid party to do in September..I will be making sure they are all looking at the camera. After I finished the shot I realized I could have put the camera on P or even A and blurred the background someone...next time I will think about that as well. The rock you referred to is gone. I wish I could take the credit but I had a friend remove for me...Taking a class in the fall should fix that for me.I learn so much from all the great advice...thanks!