Critique First effort at a photo shoot

[JamieW]

Hi guys,

New into the hobby, want to lean towards portraits and party photography. So here are a few of my first effort at portraits.

image by j.walker779, on Flickr

image by j.walker779, on Flickr

image by j.walker779, on Flickr

image by j.walker779, on Flickr

image by j.walker779, on Flickr

image by j.walker779, on Flickr

 

[holty]

a lot of shine off the forehead a little bit of pp required
nice shots

 

[FallOutBoy]

Composition looks pretty good in most of the shots, I like them. How were they lit? Lighting looks slightly harsh, as mentioned above there is a fair amount of shiny skin in places, maybe try some sort of diffuser or soft box?

 

[swordjo]

Agree with above with the harsh lighting (shine on forehead quite distracting).. But the harsh light works well in number 3 as it suits the style. Only other thing would be the background, a little too curtain like for my liking. Decent sharp shots though!

 

[JamieW]

Thanks for your feedback, all points taken on board, I was using a flash with umbrella, silver at first then white. Also a reflector, although it was held by my 9 year old daughter...who kept getting distracted!!

I deliberately ruffled up the backdrop as I couldn't get the creases out of the shot, didn't want to waste the day, so made the best with what I had. I do agree though, way to curtain like.

A soft box is next on my shopping list, along with a paper backdrop.