TNfilly Loc: Tennessee

Been doing some portrait work, but had never used a diffuser or bounced light with white and silver. So I broke down and bought the equipment necessary and really need you guys to tell me if I am doing this right.

These are a couple of my nephews SR portraits on top of the hill by my house on our family farm. Please tell me how to improve...thanks :)

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

The light looks pleasing to me. You did well here.
I like the first pick the best.

Tractor stack does compete with the subject in the second shot.
Pulls your eye away a bit. Typically you don't want such a dominating presence competing with your portrait.

All in all a good job!

Russ

TNfilly Loc: Tennessee

Thanks so much Russ! I have been around here enough to know that you "know" and I appreciate your time and help! Agreed on the tractor stack. Have several that were closer and cut it out, but this one was in the full sun with the diffuser so I wanted to be sure I was handling the light correctly. Thanks again for commenting!!

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

Agree with Russ + could have cropped a little camera right without loss :thumbup: :thumbup:

TNfilly Loc: Tennessee

Thanks so much Photoman! Will try that crop!

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

There are many types of poses for Senior Portraits. And one of the reasons new portrait photographers come on the scene is their innovative and creative styles. There will always be the "Standard Formal" pose, but the customers are not always satisfied with the poses they are "required" to get by the photographers. The pose with the tractor including the "Farmall Cub" wording and the 'stack' is one that can be as important to the subject, and sometimes even MORE important than the "old, standard, formal" poses.

I am sure this subject is proud of that tractor (maybe an FFA restoration project?) and would welcome this as one of HIS formal portraits.

Don't only give your subjects what you or the industry say are the required poses like many portrait studios. Make sure to include the poses the 'industry' says are required, but let your creativity and the subject's desires dictate the rest of your poses. Many of the best poses in the family's view are those that mean something to them, whether or not they conform to industry standards. I know that I HATED my senior portraits and only used them for the official yearbook, etc. Pics my dad took were ones that I actually passed around, and that was back in the 60's!! Those desires on the part of seniors are even more common today.

That said, I think your lighting experiment was a success. You are showing a couple great results. If it had been my cousin who was raised on a farm, he would have LOVED that 2nd shot, probably would be his choice for the largest print for the family wall.

Keep up the good work and don't let the industry dictate what you have to give your subjects/clients.

TNfilly Loc: Tennessee

Well, you nailed it on the "pride of the IH Cub" idea....that was our grandfather's tractor...his great grandfather's tractor that he and my brother (his dad) restored and now show....I know they will choose that photo in their choices for the finals because of the tradition and pride in it!! Even though I did not like the stack when I processed them, LOL!! Thanks so much for your input and encouragement, Wahawk!

It is difficult to incorporate all the "rules" of great photography with the desires of the people....thanks for all of help you guys give us amateurs!!

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I like your use of lighting also.

I would have kept his arms closer to the same plane as his face in the second shot. With them closer to the lens than his face it makes the forearms too large proportionally and somewhat disjointed from his shirt/body. IMHO

He definitely is at ease in front of your camera, congrats.

TNfilly Loc: Tennessee

Thanks jdubu!! I understand what you mean about the arms, great info! Appreciate your time
:)

Nikon_Bill Loc: South Florida

I agree with your lighting, exposure, focus, aperture and speed choices. I noticed the subject centered in the shots. That looks fine, but for broadening your skill, try to vary the pose, angle of view, lighting angles. It may help to keep the people in the shot from looking like their posing, or more casual or natural. Your headed in the right direction. Keep going, you are good at this. :)

TNfilly Loc: Tennessee

Thanks so much Nikon Bill!! I appreciate your time!