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Let me preface this by saying that I haven't had any formal training with cameras and until six months ago had stuck almost wholly to landscapes and wildlife photography. I have long had a bug for black and white photography and am now trying to adapt what i know to another style of photography. What I would greatly appreciate are the thoughts, critique and feedback from other MM's on my current selection of photos in my folio. I feel that receiving such information from those more practiced would be the best thing for me moving forward. Much thanks Apr 06 14 11:10 am Link Study the basics of lighting and composure. Really work on your lighting and practice, practice, practice. Study posing and how to compose an image. Shoot x1,000 then come back for another critique. Apr 06 14 12:11 pm Link Jennifer Haggerty has probably offered you the best advise you can receive at this point in new found passion. Composition and lighting. Good luck and enjoy the ride! Apr 06 14 01:18 pm Link Thanks for the feedback, i realize there is a great deal to learn, it seems to be a matter of practicing perhaps with lightning etc with some still life style shots and some willing models offering tfp. Do any articles come to mind that you would recommend to read up on, there is so much information out there and much of it comes from varying levels of expertise Apr 08 14 07:32 am Link  I think the goal of any photographer is to show the subject in the most flattering way possible. To do this you need to learn what different lens focal length lenses will do for you or to you, example a portrait lens is considered in the range of 80 to 200 mm, so why would you want to use this range you might ask. It tends to flatten the face so the nose does not stick out [Wide angles could cause perspective distortion]. The important element is to make sure the eyes are in focus in any photo. What aperture to use, if you are shooting a portrait of your model you want the eyes to be in focus, but the background to be out of focus, green vegetation seems to work quite well for out door backdrops [So if you use f2.8 the eyes will be in focus but not much else, all depends on the lens focal length, and distance from model] If lighting permits use a low ISO will produce the least noise, color correct your image before you shoot, you can use a gray or white card to set the white balance of your camera before you take your first photo, at the same time you can also set the proper exposure [Exposure you can check your histogram] Ok to the photo, you use a fairly wide lens; the tummy is highlighted and probably looks larger then in real life. Try this make a print of the image, use white sheets of paper to adjust the crop so see if you can make the image as pleasing as possible. Watch out for fly-away hair [A dryer sheet will help control static just lightly blot, do not rub]. Eyes could be sharper, could burn them in a little to give them more pop.  This is a nice composition, but the eyes do not look as sharp as they could be Skin bulge under models right arm, move arm away from body so it is not as squished. Try showing fingers as long as possible, not rolled over. Remove wrinkles from clothing when possible and logical. Wish you well Apr 09 14 04:10 am Link The thing that stands out to me the most is the lighting. Look at this photo:  Look how her arm actually blocks the light and casts a shadow on her face. Plus her eyes are blurred. Are you using strob lights? If not then get some. They are invaluable! Work on showing the best feature(s) of the model in the light and in the composition. Keep up the work and looks like you have some fine people to help as models as you continue in your photography journey Apr 09 14 08:13 am Link Not "articles" - you need BOOKS and NAMES, which Google is happy to provide. Articles represent a quick start resource but you'll need to study the whole enchilada if you want to make strong/striking visual compositions. Look at the master painters and go to museums to study the history of painting - here is where you'll find the starting point of lighting, composition and colour theory. Do you know how to work/read a color wheel? If not, learn to. Did you know there are multiple "rules" to composition, the most well known being the rule of thirds? If not then that's more material to review. I'd recommend you study the painters as well as the German graphic designers of the 60's and 70's - they're great references to composition. Once you'd studied painting and graphic design, start translating that to photography and study the mast photographers. Apr 09 14 08:22 am Link Learn to use artificial lighting. I noticed that your photos have a very shallow depth of field like this, for example:  The lace trim on her bra is very sharp and defined, and yet, her facial features are out of focus. This is because you're shooting with a very wide aperture (less depth of field) most likely as a result of a low level of available light. Either re-focus to the face and EYES, or use a smaller f-stop to get more elements in sharp focus. For the second option, you can bump up the ISO (more noise) or use artificial lighting. Apr 09 14 08:37 am Link Lee_Photography wrote: First of I was shooting with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L but have since purchased a Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L which I have found is already helping with improving my images especially by having the models eyes super sharp. Second, the wrinkles removal etc is something I need to work on still, editing is something I need to spend a substantial amount more time on. Peach Jones wrote: I was using a canon speedlite 600ex-rt on a tripod with a difuser but need to get better kitted up somewhat. On the blurry eyes I think using a more appropriate lens has helped, but will keep you posted. Jennifer Haggerty wrote: Thanks for that, So far i have been attempting to import some ideas and concepts from my landscape/wildlife photography and have been perhaps a little to narrow focused on the creative aspect as opposed to the technical aspect. I have been reading up on some of Ansel Adams work so far but still developing Francisco Castro wrote: I was using natural light but also had a my of camera flash in action, perhaps why the shot is over exposed. I was also shooting whilst laying on my back looking back up at the model but given the angle and perhaps the wrong settings and captured the focus of the wrong element Apr 10 14 08:17 am Link Hi Tim You don't need to rush out and buy more lights, lenses etc. You can get all the practice you need and produce stellar images just by using natural light and maybe a reflector. Apr 10 14 09:13 am Link Appreciate the suggestion, I don't want to just rush out and buy a whole bunch of gear but the new lens was something i had been thinking about for a while. thanks for the suggestion  Apr 10 14 09:39 am Link Get the book Light Science Magic. I started out the same way you did and you have to shoot more to practice and recognize what's good and what's bad, lots of critiques help too. Apr 10 14 10:08 am Link Tim F wrote: I feel you would do best by reading a good book on photography. Study other photographers work and learning what you like and why you like it and then learn how you can achieve it. Apr 10 14 03:58 pm Link As an amateur photographer I will better keep my critic to my self, just wanted to tell you, that from you portfolio now I really like this one!  Apr 10 14 04:21 pm Link |
