First Family Portrait - How Did I Do?

snoop69

snoop69

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Paul
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Was asked by a neighbour if i would shoot a portrait of her family
friends.

The setting was in the living room,on the sofa early one evening.

The setting etc was the parents choice so i had to get the best i
could with my novice abilities & a little tweak here & there in Cs2.

I didnt bother editing out the rest of the sofa in the bottom corners
as they were not visible after framing.

The family is very happy with the end result which is what matters i
guess,but could i have achieved a better result?

Any comments welcome...........

FamilyColourCrop-1.jpg
 
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It's pretty relaxed and smiley which is good of course, and as you say, if they're happy with it..

A few things I'd look at, first thing that hit me was the white balance, it look very red to me. There are lots of neutral tones in there to take a dropper from that should solve it in a click though so no drama there.

Other than that, Dad looks a bit hunched up, and I'm not sure about Mum's arm being stretched so much around the back.

You've got a nice tight composition with no gaps though which is a common problem people have. :)
 
:agree:

I also think a B+W conversion plus a contrast boost would make the world of difference :)
 
Betty said:
:agree:

I also think a B+W conversion plus a contrast boost would make the world of difference :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Jayst84 your comments make sense having had a good look at
the picture from another point of view.

I think they would have benefitted from having a larger sofa.
I guess the light balance can be adjusted in Lightroom etc but i would
like to get it right first time.Maybe some lighting would have helped more.

Betty - im with you on a B&W conversion - i started doing this one
but they prefered the colour version.

Thanks for your comments - mental note taken for hopefully,next time ;)

FamilyColourCropAntGrey-1Large.jpg
 
like the black and white image, is that something on the mums top of her top, it looks like water maybe?? bit distracting??
 
I played with it. It's a nice picture
1) I agree Mums arm would be better down.
2) the Dad looks like he would rather be else where!

So I cropped tighter
I sharpened
I added surface blur
I adjusted levels
converted to B/W
Then custom adjustments.

FamilyColourCrop-1.jpg
 
My retinas have just been blown by Eyad's version! :aaargh: :D

I would agree with most of the comments above regarding placement of limbs, etc. The "drool" from baby on Mum's blouse is a pity and should have been spotted - PP job that now.

The B&W version by Naticle is very worthy and a direction I would advocate for this shot.

Finally get the light away from pure frontal, this is rarely flattering and the eyes are a little "red" as a result.

All things we have all done and hopefully next time you will take steps to reduce or eliminate to improve your shots. (y)
 
yes the drool is distracting! and as a mum of two it's really very annoying I call it the "mummy broach" :LOL:
 
I love it and think it looks fabulous, but Im not experienced in this area so can't offer any cc. I also like Nats mono conversion.
 
:)
HIMUPNORTH said:
My retinas have just been blown by Eyad's version! :aaargh: :D
The "drool" from baby on Mum's blouse is a pity and should have been spotted - PP job that now.
All things we have all done and hopefully next time you will take steps to reduce or eliminate to improve your shots. (y)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the adjustments but they seem a bit red on my monitor

We had noticed the baby 'drool' but mum wouldnt get changed :(
Hopefully 'next time' i will get a bit more notice & have more time to
put into practice what i have learnt from the great comments & advice.

Naticle said:
I played with it. It's a nice picture
Click to expand...

That is an awesome conversion - im going to show them & see what they
think.

Baz777 said:
If the family like it then that is what really counts.

For me it is the background colour. It is so close the their skin tones that it all seems too flat.
Click to expand...

Yes,your correct.They appeared genuinely happy with the end result after
printing & framing.

Maybe when the little one is a little older,i will get the chance to do it again
correctly.

Thanks guys & gals - you have been most helpfull (y)
 
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