Help! Please Critique Senior Portraits
WingsOfLovePhoto
Registered Users Posts: 797 Major grins
I did senior portraits for this girl and just got a call from the mother that the girl doesn't like any of them and she really didn't either. I am flabbergasted because I think most of them are good. Am I not seeing something? I took 160 pictures and picked the best 49. I would think that they could find at least one! Please take a look at this gallery and give me feedback if you would. Thanks in advance for any responses.
http://wingsoflove.smugmug.com/gallery/5990655_Mteoe/1/374220826_UtNhv
http://wingsoflove.smugmug.com/gallery/5990655_Mteoe/1/374220826_UtNhv
Snady :thumb
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I would ask what exactly they didn't like.
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Your exposures are fine, and poses are fine- studio and outside...
I would take ShepsMom's advice and ask for more details.
Doug and Cathy
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I agree, don't take it personally.
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Just because you are pretty, doens't make you photogenic. The PP is a bit much, but it's fine given teen age blemishes. Those 49 shots were the best pictures she's ever been in her entire life. Composed well, sharp and good lighting. What more could you ask for? A better model maybe. LoL. Regardless if they hated them or not, you did great work, you deserve to get paid.
Nikon Shooter
It's all about the moment...
I have a "theory" as to why they did not like them (and boy do I really hope that I'm wrong): they "borrowed" the ones that they really liked and printed them on their own.
In your gallery, you posted the pics where they could be viewed in their original size without any watermarks on them. Even though you have the right-click protection turned on, it is not fool-proof. It took me less than a minute to download the original size pic of the 1st picture in the gallery. Keep in mind that I did NOT download the true original that you uploaded to Smugmug but the original size pic that you are allowing to be viewed. Now I could print it anytime that I wanted to. Here is some of the EXIF info from the pic:
Picture Size: 1500px X 2100px
Camera: Nikon D300
Focal Length: 98mm
ISO: 200
f-stop: f8
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Editing app: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Just my $0.02 but if I was going to put up something that I was looking to make money off of, (1) I would NOT allow originals to be viewed and (2) I would put a watermark on the gallery before uploading the pics.
Dwayne
You may a times have to do a clothing consult . Almost everyone should stay away from sleeveless outfits . Her arms are larger in appearance .
All hand poses there should only be a very light touch to the face . Heavy pressure makes the face appear fat. . If the hand in use is mostly the back of hand showing , it can appear as large as face . Use hand away from camera whenever possible . Outdoor lighting is nice . Studio set up is to 1 to 1 ratio with lights . Probably two umbrellas . if you can shoot the light through one instead of bounce out it will give you a ratio that creates small modeling and shadow .
Always keep subject away from background and always shoot longest focal length possible to create Bokah . A out of focus background is the desired result .
http://wingsoflove.smugmug.com/gallery/5990655_Mteoe
In just about all of the photos the girl's hair was really messy, and in some of them she even had a strand of hair hanging down the middle of her forehead. You could prevent this by reminding her to brush her hair into place prior to the shoot, or after posing her you could go over to her and help adjust her hair for the photo.
Also, I don't think the pink and black dress went well against the backdrop of the rustic tree trunk.
Her posture was kind of slouchy in several of the photos too, which caused her clothes to drape poorly on her, looking a little sloppy.
Also, the light seemed very bright- maybe a softer focus ?
I think you have to be very vigilant when shooting portraits to take a good hard look at these kind of details before hitting the shutter.
I'm not into the studio shots that used the hands to support the face...other than that, I agree with the above. The processing is MUCH too strong. Even acne does not require blur. There are other tools available to remove blemishes without resorting to claymation.
You definately need to find out what they didn't like.
Jeff
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*Yes her skin was not good so the processing is a bit heavy.
*She chose the outfits but knew what would have been better.
*She insisted on putting the dress back on for outside pictures and to do
full body shots but is complaining she looks fat.
*I tried to have her fix her hair and I can't change her smile (the tooth
that sticks out a bit.
*I did similar poses for her friend and she said she loved them all.
*I did get paid my $50.00 sitting fee but between the shoot and pp there
is no profit there and now they want me to do more for free. But
I think because they don't like her smile/hair etc and not the pictures.
*I think photographically they could find one for her yearbook.
*I did make an appt for reshoot but am rethinking that now. Maybe they should try a different photog because there is not much I would do differently. I am a wuss though when it comes to that stuff because I don't have a lot of confidence in my skills so I just suck it up and I am new to the business Oh well, all in the process of learning I guess.
As far as the smugmug site is concerned, I tried the watermark thing and people were complaining they couldn't see the children's faces. What do you all do with that? I do have to learn to make only small pictures veiwable though, thanks for that advice. I am getting large orders usually so I don't think many of my clients are really computer savy and stealing pictures.
FYI i use a 3x4 softbox as a main light and a 10x36 as a background kicker and a large reflectasol. Any other ideas of how to set those up to improve the studio pix?
Outside I use a SB600 with a Gary Fong Whale Tail.
Thanks again for all your help and support. I am very happy you are all here:D
Many of the smiles and poses look forced rather than natural. On the plus side. Your lighting and focus is good and have some nice perspectives/comps. Many here would be wonderful with just a tad more happy expression from your senior.....her eyes would widen a bit, showing life, vibrancy.
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I tend to think you did a good job with the poses...and I like the shoot in general. I agree with Swartzy...good advice.
I do think that you overexposed some of the shots on page two, last two rows...as there appears to be hot spots on her face.
It also appears that the skin tones...at least to me are a bit pinkish. If you shot in raw...look at the color temperature in your raw converter. Make sure that it is somewhere around 5400...adjust to taste here.
It also appears that you really don't have much of an idea about what your customer doesn't like about your pictures, other than dress and fat...this from you post. What about the rest of the pictures you took? Why don't they like them? I understand there's a perceived concern about her hair, teeth, and smile, but you heard that here, not from them. Call them up and ask, "How can I make this better? What is it that you don't like about my pictures?"
Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.
Ed
I think you have received some excellent advice. The only thing I would add is the dress is horrible, and does make her look heavier than she is. I recommend she burn the dress.
Now for my real point. you posted that you made an appointment to re shoot, and are now rethinking that decision. Don't rethink it. You agreed to a re shoot, do it.
I would how ever sit down with mom, and really have her articulate what she wants, and expects out of this re shoot. I would also recommend at this point you be a little more assertive with what you need. Dress, hair, location, etc. Work on getting her to be more natural, and open. Was mom there the whole time? Does the daughter feel intimidated by her? Is mom pushy?
Separately, sit down with the girl, and find out what she thinks, and wants.
You may have to be Dr, Lora for a day.
Sam
It's all about practice and vision. They are both equally important, though some may say practice more..
Ask both what they liked and disliked about it and if they want a reshoot, reshoot! Does she want a glamour-esque photograph or something else? Just talk to them about it.
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Shots are good. (PP resulted in pale skin, though)
But in the shadows, Vysionous was watching, and with patience awaiting the night.
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It is never to late to become what you might have been.
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I agree... she looks very uncomfy in the photos... I love the poses! They look better than my senior portraits (I was another 'uncomfy' one).
First let me say that the advice that you received is here is spot on and it defintely shows in the latest photo that you posted of your client. She truly appears calm, comfortable, and happy to be involved. If her or her mom does not like this one, then heaven help them.
The reason I pulled out the above quote though is because I think it is a very important principle for every photographer to realize. Trust me, I know from experience how scary it can be to do a session like this when you are not completely comfortable. The thing is that in taking on the assignment, you are a professional in the eyes of the client and need to carry yourself that way, regardless of how you feel inside. I think most of us have seen the masterful work of Joe McNally. In "the Moment It Clicks", he specifically addresses how we must conduct ourselves when things go wrong and even used a personal story of time that he thought he was going to collapse inside while still showing a professional appearance on the outside as a shoot was seemingly falling apart.
I guess what I'm trying to get to in my long-winded way is that even though you may be lacking in confidence at times, push through it and conduct yourself as though you are in command of the situation; else, the client will sense it and either walk all over you or loose faith in your abilities.
As for the watermarking, there is a tutorial somewhere on dgrin or smugmug for creating custom watermarks that you can load in place of the ugly "proof" that is the default. Do a search on "watermark" or "copyright".
Let us know the outcome. I'd love to hear how much they gush over the new photos!
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I can see why they may have not LOVED the pictures.
First of all this is meant as constructive criticism because you asked, just trying to help.
She is a cute girl, but the photos don't really seem to bring it out. My guess is there was not much time spent getting her to relax and have fun to bring out her personality and the playfullness all girls of this age naturally have. Once the personality starts to shine through the girls look better and they like the pictures much better. If she is not having fun the photos will show it.
The lighting is flat. There needs to be side lighting to create shadows and depth in the face. This is compounded because the photos are to bright.
In most the skin is on the edge of being blown out. The brightness also cuts down on the color saturation which can make the colors look somewhat washed out.
The compositons are all basically the same, dead center in the middle, try some more creative compositions, mix it up. Move in, move back, go high go low, turn the girl in different directions. Girl large in the frame, girl small in the background. Find some more dramatic backgrounds and scenes.
The skin treatment looks fine to me and the sharpness looks fine to me as well.
On the bright side...I have seen WAY WORSE work product being put out by people who call themselves professionals and charge money for their services.
Your work shows potention. Go over to DP Review and check out their lighting forum. Post some of your work there and let them hack it to bits...believe me they will....but if you can stand it you will learn tons and with a few months of working on the info you can receive there you willl be turning out work that anyone would be proud of.
When you reach that point your confidence will soar and you won't have to worry about this type of thing ever happening again.
Again..I am just trying to help because you asked. If any of my response has upset you in any way I apologize.
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Some people, as soon as they've paid for something, will always expect MAGIC to appear.
Like insisting on the hideous dress, "This is what I'm wearing, make it look awesome gosh dangit!"
Malte
With very few exceptions, her hair appears drab and flat - it's just lacking a bit of correct lighting to bring out the luster that is sure to be there.
The lighting of the outdoor images appear to be very FLAT - there are no shadows on her face. OK, you don't want huge, contrasty shadows in a photo of this sort. But you do want do have some, soft and soft-edged, shadows - they provide depth to the face and create a much more dramatic image. Getting those shadow is easy stuff - get your flash lighting off-camera and to the side a bit.
The in-studio shots - your fill, if you have any, is way too bright.
In the last photo you posted:
- I love how you've used the sun to bring some life to her hair. It might be a little hot, but most clients are not going recognize this.
- Off-camera light source. It's clear from the catchlights that you have something down and to the left. But, it's too bright - it's almost as if it is your main light.
- The on-camera light is too bright - it's killing your shadows.
- I would burn the bright area in the upper left corner a bit to knock it down. As is, it's a huge distraction from her face.
- Love the lighter PP hand you've used in this photo. You've let some of her skin actually come through!
- There's no doubt in my mind that this is one of the very best photos ever made of her and I'm sure that she (and her mother) will be quite pleased!
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Scott...as far as the picture before I am not sure where all the catchlights are coming from. I was about 20feet away with the flash dialed down. There must have been a reflection off something. I don't know what else it could be but I appreciate your specifics on settings, keep it up if you would. I need a good teacher. I really want to get it right someday.
Any further critiques on these new photo's. They definately liked them much better. ..
Fast learner..these are much better than the first set. Lighting is not so bright better posing. Subject is more engaged.
Still the flat light. Really...to take the next step you need to take the flash off your camera and use available light from the side or use the flash off camera. If you have a Nikon this is very easy using the commander mode.
I hope you don't mind but I tried to take one of your photos and tweak it a bit.
I tried to add some shadow without it looking too fake to show the difference even a small amount of shadow/depth can make in the photo.
I cleaned the skin up (some will say to much) fixed her teeth sharpened it a bit. Blurred and darkened the background a bit.
Added some shadow to the right side of her face (as you are viewing the picture) to simulate a light from the photos left. All this took about 5 minutes. She is a pretty girl.
Just say the word and I will remove the photo...my only intent is to try to be helpful.
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Go to the local photography store, pickup a cheapo lightweight stand 8' high is enough. Pick up a cheapo softbox 36" is about right and a connector to hook the sb800 to the light stand. That is all you need for off camera lighting.
My entire setup cost $70.
Then set you camera flash to commander mode and your sb800 to remote.
It tells you how to do it in the manuals.
It is way easy...if I could figure it out anyone can.
Then when you shoot your on camera flash it only sets off the sb800..presto off camera lighting. No wires required.
Do a search on it on the internet and you can find several sites that will explain it in depth.
One other tip. I only show my customers finished pictures. I don't show anybody the raw pictures fresh out of the camera. I want my customers to be wowed when they see their pictures.
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