Cheers for the comments guys, they've really, really helped!
Straight to the shade it is for me then! Unfortunately when a client gives you a time there's not much you can do, you just have to make the best of the situation! (which is why they call them pro's
)
I'd say your main problem was that it appears the shoot took place in the middle of the day with some pretty harsh sunlight. You may have been better off going into the shade.
At least it wasn't a total loss though. The photos you posted are at least well composed with some great relaxed expressions.
Was actually late afternoon, might as well have been middle of the day!
Thanks mate means a lot.
Generally as long as it's got those 2 aspects, the majority of clients don't mind, and you I find they'll pick a technically inferior shot because of its content rather than a technically superior shot in comparison.
You've learnt a valuable lesson....don't shoot in harsh light...whatever it is, sun, ambient or flash.
Try and do the shoot earlier or later in the day, this time of year 5-6 am is perfect, up to 10 is OK. then again after 6 is OK and 1 hour before sunset is also great.
Between the hours of 10am to 6pm head for any shade you can find, trees, buildings, alleys, doorways, rose arches, pergolas anything that softens the light.
The compositions are great, tehnically focus etc all OK too, just get some soft light hgoing on and that will transform you to a whole new place where you will be amazed at how much better they turn out.
Good luck and lets see some of the results, PM me when you do, I'd like to know and see how you get on....if it stops raining before christmas that is
I always found my images in harsh light coming out like that but never thought of the reason. Duh! Thanks!
Haha most people don't fancy getting up at 4 to get ready for a portrait session at 5
I've messed around with lighting almost as long as I've had a DSLR and I totally think that lighting is 90% of portrait photography. I've taken some shots in the past with softer light that have genuinely stunned me with their results.
I'll try to remember to PM you
As i was reading, i was thinking that what you were saying didnt sound too bad and the shots prove that.
I think in a studio environment it woudl be ALOT easier and is tricky in the light you have (as mentioned above)
Dont be too hard on yourself, maybe a bit of B+W will sort out the dodgily lit ones (always works for me !!!)
Haha, if in doubt, mono conversion. Done that plenty of times, trust me
OOOOP's forgot to add, try shooting at F5.6 for most of this type of portraiture ie where you've got waist/shoulders and head in the frame and the people roughly in the same focal plane, F5.6 will give you just enough dof but still leave you with oof backgrounds.
Ah I was shooting f/4, appears I still have a lot to learn
(this pleases me
)
Yes, harsh sunlight burns out all of the detail from the skin, shade was suggested, that with a diffused flash would look very nice. Overall I like your choice of background and the pictures are well balanced. The first shot is brilliant, its just a shame about the light and the fact
it is not very sharp, which probably is a focusing issue.
The main thing is your couple are pleased and you have learnt a great deal from your experience. Next time you will nail it
Did not know that either. Seems obvious when you think about it
It was in focus just not sharp, I think my lens has an issue with front focussing, but since it cost me £40 I'm not too fussed to get it sent away and re-calibrated. With an aperture value of f/5.6 most of the time it's fine. It's when shooting wide open it struggles. Shots on my 55-250 are pin sharp.
Thanks for the kind words. I've nailed it before, just this situation we were stuck for time and I didn't have the choice of poses, angles, location or lighting, I just had to work with what the first tog was using. If I had had the proper time to set up I honestly feel that I would have gotten better shots.
But it's also a lack of my knowledge on lighting that has affected me!
