First Senior Portraits - Critique Welcome

Gringriff

Did my first Senior Portrait gig last Saturday. Mom and daughter were happy with the results. But I would like to get comments from the group here and hear recommendations for improvements in case I get a chance to do this again. I was fortunate to have a lovely subject that was easy to work with.

Here are a few examples...
1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


Thanks,
Andy

len20

Am I seeing the light correctly, are you shooting in the dark?

Gringriff

Yes, we were late getting started. We started as the sun was going down and most of the shoot was after dusk or in the dark.

CASowers

1. I like the concept with the mug and the pose is nice. The house in the bg is distracting and the tree being directly in line with her is also a little distracting.
2. Can you try to have her left leg also on the branch? It just seems to be "there" and is also cut off at the ankle.
3. I get the feeling that she's being pulled and is holding on for dear life!
4. Is my favorite. Really like the rim lighting, pose and the fact that you're now shooting in the dark. Adds a very nice element.
5. Also very nice.

Overall, I think it's a great set that I'm sure your subject and parents will be proud to share.

reyvee61

Wow, great use of strobes here....I really like what you did....first Senior shoot...seriously?
I love #4.....can't wait to get a few more flashguns!

Gringriff

CASowers wrote: »

1. I like the concept with the mug and the pose is nice. The house in the bg is distracting and the tree being directly in line with her is also a little distracting.
2. Can you try to have her left leg also on the branch? It just seems to be "there" and is also cut off at the ankle.
3. I get the feeling that she's being pulled and is holding on for dear life!
4. Is my favorite. Really like the rim lighting, pose and the fact that you're now shooting in the dark. Adds a very nice element.
5. Also very nice.

Overall, I think it's a great set that I'm sure your subject and parents will be proud to share.

Thanks for the comments Chris.

1. I agree about the house in the background. I should have used a more shallow DOF or found a better angle.

2. She just hopped up there and I think that was the first one I took. Maybe some of the other ones in the tree are better pics.

3. Thanks I got this same comment a lot. I just blew that shot. I was trying some back lighting and forgot about the bench angle. Next time maybe.

4. I like these also.

5. She was a very good subject and really enjoyed the shoot. This was near the end at a different location.

Andy

Gringriff

reyvee61 wrote: »

Wow, great use of strobes here....I really like what you did....first Senior shoot...seriously?
I love #4.....can't wait to get a few more flashguns!

Thanks Rey - I am trying to learn these lights. I used two AB800s.

It was my first senior shoot but I have been getting some practice with our local meetup group. It was nice to have just one shooter and the model's attention this time.

The full gallery is located at http://andygriffin.smugmug.com/Portraits/Renae/14680199_KAQQQ#1097202279_iNZ2C

Andy

Icebear

The only one I'd toss is #3. I'm sure the young lady and her family are very happy with the rest (prolly #3 too for that matter.)

dsloan

i like the first one the most

the 3rd one it looks like she can't hold her head up

the 4th one is a bit racy in my opinion - you can almost see up her skirt - but i like the composition.

can she tilt her head the other way, or stand up for one?

zoomer

Looks like a great subject.
I like 4 the best.
For me when I get an obviously flashed shot like 4 which comes out really good I try to even the light out so only the subject is flashed, like the ground to her left where the flash is coming from I would burn and then dodge the right side a bit to even out the light...maybe that is just me.
Just a nit, I like it as is.

Hackbone

For posing 3 & 4 are lovely poses for a female.
In the first one your light is too hot and the background it too cluttered. The height of you light has accent the fullness under her eyes.

Two seems to be a photo of her rear which is cute but the photo just has too much going on in it. Tree trunks are too bright as well as the skin of her arms. The bright areas pull your attention away.

Three is a catchy pose but she is broad lit which makes her face wider than it is. Try to reduce the wrinkles in her shirt. Really do like this pose, maybe try it with the front leg extended all the way and the back leg up as it is.

Four is a great pose also but again broad lit that makes her face broad and does not accent the bust line. The light coming from the other direciton would have been a better direction. Where the light is now also lights up that bush over her right shoulder. Like the back light giving her some great separation and hair glow. When using the water she is looking down I guess at her reflection it would be nice to see the reflection. Again a great pose. GOT to steal that one.

Five just seems a grab shot. Light is high and accents her eye fullness.

Hope that is clear and helps.