WVBigfooter wrote:
I digitally improved the focus on a few from the first pics and changed out a couple. Please take a look
Thanks

There's only so much sharpening one can do on an image that is out of focus, and at a certain point it will just make things look worse. I would remove your entire portfolio and start over, and at the very least, correct white balance and get your shots sharp in camera.

Lee_Photography wrote:

The way the hair and tattoo interact on models left shoulder, just looks messy.
The models clothing has no shape or form, just kind of hangs there. Where are her hands?
Agree with the others, bit of a green tint to her face.
Did you shoot these in RAW? If so you may be able to adjust the white balance using the white part of the flag as a white point.


An out of focus photo is just that, out of focus.
Remove

Since you should have the basics from NYIP, you should be able to apply the lessons learned and produce some quality images. Start with a simple headshot.
a)    Set the white balance in your camera
b)    Use interesting light, so you show 3D modeling in models face [Fill flash, reflectors, evening or morning light]
c)    Make sure the eyes are in sharp focus
d)    Lower shoulders for a long appearing neck
e)    Use a tripod
f)    Make sure the background is way out of focus

I wish you well

I was using the "Cloudy" setting for white balance. I'll try "AWB" next time

Garry k wrote:
I mean why he feels they work

Because the people I take the photos of, love them. I've tried some of the poses a lot of photographers here have suggested & they weren't very well received by the client. They said they didn't look natural

WVBigfooter wrote:

Because the people I take the photos of, love them. I've tried some of the poses a lot of photographers here have suggested & they weren't very well received by the client. They said they didn't look natural

Fair enough !

It is good to make your clients happy

WVBigfooter wrote:

Because the people I take the photos of, love them. I've tried some of the poses a lot of photographers here have suggested & they weren't very well received by the client. They said they didn't look natural

But the color is way off.
Question... Do you know how to color balance in post production at least?
Solution :  convert to Black and White till you learn color


Focus is not good at all

Question... Do you use manual focus or Auto focus.

                  Do you use the back focus button to lock focus?

Solution: Read the camera manual on focus or take it into a camera store and ask one of the professionals.

Little to no composition or framing
Question.... Ever heard of the rule of thirds?

Solution:   You should have learned this in photo school but if not you should work with a professional, yes a real one, and pay for a private lesson

Basic post production, looks horrible

Question: what do you use? It looks like nothing

Solution:  if you don't have any at least buy Lightroom 6


It's hard to believe you graduated from an accredited photography school, as all of these should have been covered there.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
But the color is way off.
Question... Do you know how to color balance in post production at least?
Solution :  convert to Black and White till you learn color


Focus is not good at all

Question... Do you use manual focus or Auto focus.

                  Do you use the back focus button to lock focus?

Solution: Read the camera manual on focus or take it into a camera store and ask one of the professionals.

Little to no composition or framing
Question.... Ever heard of the rule of thirds?

Solution:   You should have learned this in photo school but if not you should work with a professional, yes a real one, and pay for a private lesson

Basic post production, looks horrible

Question: what do you use? It looks like nothing

Solution:  if you don't have any at least buy Lightroom 6


It's hard to believe you graduated from an accredited photography school, as all of these should have been covered there.

I used manual focus this time and disagree that they aren't sharply focused. I use an editing website called LunaPic. I can't afford image editing software when a free website will do the trick
The rule of thirds doesn't literally mean to put your subject in one third of the frame
NYIP taught me the 3 rules of photography
1) There are no rules
2) Simplify
3) The rule of thirds

WVBigfooter wrote:
I used manual focus this time and disagree that they aren't sharply focused. I use an editing website called LunaPic. I can't afford image editing software when a free website will do the trick
The rule of thirds doesn't literally mean to put your subject in one third of the frame
NYIP taught me the 3 rules of photography
1) There are no rules
2) Simplify
3) The rule of thirds

You can disagree all you want about the photos not being out of focus but unless you are a blind person we can all clearly see they are extremely out focus and I see tons of motion blur as well. What was you shutter speed set to?


I mean come on you cannot really tell me you think this photo is good. We cannot even tell what her face looks like. I have seen people take better photos with their cellphone.

Garry k wrote:
Huh?

He may be an amature but what makes him a troll ?

I don't believe someone shooting since 1993 would produce a photo such as the one posted above, specially someone who graduated from a photography school. It just does not add up. Yeah you may shoot uninspiring photos but basic things like seeing that a photo is in or out of focus can be seen by any average joe from the street who has never even picked up a camera and the OP disagrees that his photos are out focus.

WVBigfooter wrote:
I use an editing website called LunaPic. I can't afford image editing software when a free website will do the trick

You've referred to your subjects as clients and you've said they're paying you for the images. A monthly subscription to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop is around $10. Surely you can afford to pay that out of your income? How much are you charging your clients for these shoots??

http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/phot … p;mv=other

A-M-P wrote:

I don't believe someone shooting since 1993 would produce a photo such as the one posted above, specially someone who graduated from a photography school. It just does not add up. Yeah you may shoot uninspiring photos but basic things like seeing that a photo is in or out of focus can be seen by any average joe from the street who has never even picked up a camera and the OP disagrees that his photos are out focus.

gotcha

WVBigfooter wrote:

I was using the "Cloudy" setting for white balance. I'll try "AWB" next time

Actually what I am suggesting is to set the white balance manually, that is take a photo of a white card in the light you will be shooting in, then use that image in the camera to set white balance in the camera.

I wish you well

Howard Tarragon wrote:
How do we Contact a Moderator? I can't find a link.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod

WVBigfooter wrote:
Because the people I take the photos of, love them. I've tried some of the poses a lot of photographers here have suggested & they weren't very well received by the client. They said they didn't look natural

WVB, please don't think I'm picking on you. This forum is what it is, and you've invited critique. I do think what you've received so far has been constructive for the most part.

Yes posing is unnatural, the trick is to get those body lines, without your posing and expressions looking forced.

Loosely posed and natural is something to strive for, and it's especially important if you're shooting non-models who don't have much experience in front of the camera. You're the director here.

Your images are not sharp by acceptable standards.  Sharpness is not the end-all-be-all in every photo, but based on the type of images you're producing, I'm going to say you need to strive a little higher. In some cases, mood, vibe and concept trump sharpness, but I'm not feeling those either.

I strongly suggest shooting AWB or using a custom white balance, shooting a gray card or color checker passport, always with the intention to adjust in post if necessary.

At the very least, use Adobe Lightroom or Capture One to cull and retouch your images.

Some of the people here have given solid advice. Use this as an opportunity to look within. It's often hard to recognize our areas of improvement because we are prone to attaching an emotional response to our work, such as, the client was really sweet, loved the experience and had a great time. I used to do the same, but learned to separate. Also, my wife tells it like it is, if I'm ever in doubt.

.

A-M-P wrote:

You can disagree all you want about the photos not being out of focus but unless you are a blind person we can all clearly see they are extremely out focus and I see tons of motion blur as well. What was you shutter speed set to?


I mean come on you cannot really tell me you think this photo is good. We cannot even tell what her face looks like. I have seen people take better photos with their cellphone.

I do see a bit of blur of her hands. I'll delete it

WVBigfooter wrote:
I do see a bit of blur of her hands. I'll delete it

What do you think about the model's tummy in that image? Do you think a different shot angle, a different pose, different styling and different light might have changed your portrayal of the model for the better?

A-M-P wrote:

You can disagree all you want about the photos not being out of focus but unless you are a blind person we can all clearly see they are extremely out focus and I see tons of motion blur as well. What was you shutter speed set to?


I mean come on you cannot really tell me you think this photo is good. We cannot even tell what her face looks like. I have seen people take better photos with their cellphone.

I shot in Aperture Priority Mode

WVBigfooter wrote:
I shot in Aperture Priority Mode

I'm afraid you can't just stick a camera in semi-automatic and expect it to make up for your own lack of understanding of basic camera skills. If you do that you'll just end up with poor images...

It might be a struggle to start with but the only way you're going to understand how to drive a camera properly is by shooting in manual mode - take full control of ALL the variables yourself. Once you've mastered manual THEN use semi-automatic modes if you wish. But by then you'll understand the compensation you need to make for what the camera will get wrong in any given situation.

If manual mode proves too much of a struggle then go full auto instead, not semi-auto. The camera will produce technically good images all on its own if you let it and you can then concentrate on framing your shot and interacting with your model.

Or... invest in some worthwhile one-to-one tuition...

A-M-P wrote:
You can disagree all you want about the photos not being out of focus but unless you are a blind person we can all clearly see they are extremely out focus and I see tons of motion blur as well. What was you shutter speed set to?


I mean come on you cannot really tell me you think this photo is good. We cannot even tell what her face looks like. I have seen people take better photos with their cellphone.

WVBigfooter wrote:
I shot in Aperture Priority Mode

I was just about to say that its not just out of focus, there is a significant amount motion blur. Aperture will do that, going to a shutter speed that non steady could become a problem. You mention earlier you used cloudy for WB, I strongly suggest to you go full manual control on everything exposure wise. Almost all pros shoot in manual with the exception of event photographer. There is a reason for it, total control.

WVBigfooter wrote:
I was using the "Cloudy" setting for white balance. I'll try "AWB" next time

Lee_Photography wrote:
Actually what I am suggesting is to set the white balance manually, that is take a photo of a white card in the light you will be shooting in, then use that image in the camera to set white balance in the camera.

I wish you well

Light in the woods tends to be green, not cloudy.

WVBigfooter wrote:
I used manual focus this time and disagree that they aren't sharply focused.

It's hard to beat auto focus.

A-M-P wrote:
You can disagree all you want about the photos not being out of focus but unless you are a blind person we can all clearly see they are extremely out focus and I see tons of motion blur as well. What was you shutter speed set to?

WVBigfooter wrote:
I do see a bit of blur of her hands. I'll delete it

And her legs, and her arm, and her face.

WVBigfooter wrote:
I shot in Aperture Priority Mode

That's fine but what was your shutter speed?

WVBigfooter wrote:
I use an editing website called LunaPic. I can't afford image editing software when a free website will do the trick

We get what we pay for.