Please help me take more than just snaps!

Daysleeper40

Daysleeper40

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Hi All,

I now have one nephew and two neices - I'd love to get some nice shots of them (and the rest of the family) but I really am appalling bad at taking pictures of people. So I'm being brave and posting one in the hope you fine people can offer me some much needed help!

This is my nephew and friend - I know it's not good, would love some advice on how to improve:

P1080063a.jpg


Thanks ;)
 
I actually think it's very good...I'm sure someone will come along with lots of advice but for me it's a brilliant photograph
 
Well the composition is great!
Technically you only actually have one slight problem and that's light.
I checked your EXIF data and 1/500 is certainly fast enough to freeze the little monsters. The ISO is fine and the aperture at f3.3 is good for subject isolation so no problem there.

The light is something that takes time to develop. Take an object and hand hold it up infront of you, move it around in the light and observe how the highlights and shadows fall on it. It does that to people too. Direct sunlight is often quite difficult too as you get really strong direct light that casts harsh shadows. Under trees is a good place to shoot little ones at this time of year. Light is usually nice and diffuse.

On your pic the main light is on his hair rather than on his face, that's all that's wrong with it so you are not a million miles off. :)
 
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rachp said:
I actually think it's very good...I'm sure someone will come along with lots of advice but for me it's a brilliant photograph
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MagicMynx said:
Sorry hun, but I think that your statement is wrong - completely!

That is a really good picture!
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Thankyou both - maybe I'm being a little hard on myself but I know I need to work on this.

AliB said:
Well the composition is great!
Technically you only actually have one slight problem and that's light.
I checked your EXIF data and 1/500 is certainly fast enough to freeze the little monsters. The ISO is fine and the aperture at f3.3 is good for subject isolation so no problem there.

The light is something that takes time to develop. Take an object and hand hold it up infront of you, move it around in the light and observe how the highlights and shadows fall on it. It does that to people too. Direct sunlight is often quite difficult too as you get really strong direct light that casts harsh shadows. Under trees is a good place to shoot little ones at this time of year. Light is usually nice and diffuse.

On your pic the main light is on his hair rather than on his face, that's all that's wrong with it so you are not a million miles off. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Ali - thats really helpful, especially as my nephew has the blondest hair known to humanity. Seriously, it's practically white and I always end up with blown highlights. It was a very sunny day so I'll try to consider ways of dealing with that better next time - positioning him under trees etc - and see how I get on :)
 
I agree with all of what Ali says. Its a good shot that just needs a little to make it a very good one. Carry on, I like.

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
I agree with all of what Ali says. Its a good shot that just needs a little to make it a very good one. Carry on, I like.

Andy
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Thanks Andy - I feel a bit more positive about it now. I'll keep working on it - I was getting a bit downhearted as always end up disappointed with my efforts after our family days. I think part of the problem is trying to socialise and take shots at the same time. I get a bit self conscious and my family all start banging on about how I'll get great pictures when I know that I really won't!

At least when it's just me (or just OH and I go out) I can spend more time and concentrate on what I'm doing more.
 
I think it is a corker, as already said a good photo is all about the light and it takes time to spot and utilize it to it's full potential. you could possibly use a slightly higher f-stop to try and bring them both a little more into focus though.

Failing that there is always photoshop.....:D

3643098101_d10cd4712e.jpg


If you want i will remove... ;)
 
We often get families book our studio and come in to take shots themselves - we help with lighting set ups & help the photographer (you) with how to make the most of your shots.

PM me if its of an interest.
 
onform said:
I think it is a corker, as already said a good photo is all about the light and it takes time to spot and utilize it to it's full potential. you could possibly use a slightly higher f-stop to try and bring them both a little more into focus though.

Failing that there is always photoshop.....:D

3643098101_d10cd4712e.jpg


If you want i will remove... ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks Onform - I did have a bash at bringing them both more into focus but mine ended up looking REALLY over-sharpened. Would you mind letting me know what PP you did please? I have Paint Shop Pro X2 rather than PS btw.

SPS said:
We often get families book our studio and come in to take shots themselves - we help with lighting set ups & help the photographer (you) with how to make the most of your shots.

PM me if its of an interest.
Click to expand...

Thanks SPS - I'm really interested in getting natural shots on family days - this one was taken at the BBQ we had after my neice and nephews christening and I was trying to capture some memories of the day.
 
I don't use paint shop so you will have to translate this into that program!

I basically darkened the hair of the lad quite dramatically with the intention of lightening the whole image. but as I lightened the image the hair started to look unnatural so I slightly blurred the hair to take any attention away from that area.

I then used the dodge and burn, lighten and darken brush, to touch up any odd bits that look out of place.

I also added an un-sharp mask to bring the girl a little more into focus.

hope this helps
 
I like it.
Photography is not just about technique, but also about the moment. Their expressions are very natural and interesting.
If I was you, I would add some more space on the right side, and cut it on the left, to follow the same direction of their eyes.
 
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