Sibling pic: I'm just learning how to do a few portraits occasionally and also learning how to use Elements. While I use LR pretty confidently, I'm a long way from feeling comfortable...

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

I'm just learning how to do a few portraits occasionally and also learning how to use Elements. While I use LR pretty confidently, I'm a long way from feeling comfortable with Elements.

This picture is of my children who got together a week ago for my high school senior's graduation (far right). Took the opportunity to make this shot which is actually two shots. Please critique and I'm not afraid of correction or someone not liking something. I wish to learn over getting approval.

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hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

I like the idea for this one.

The two issues I have are some seriously blown highlights and the background replacement.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks for your comments. I too don't like that part and looking back at the originals in LR, they were not blown out. My son (the one lying down) pointed out the blown areas just before I saw your comments. Guess I'm going to back out and try again. That shouldn't take as long as the first effort and maybe less frustration too.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

manofhg wrote:

I'm just learning how to do a few portraits occasionally and also learning how to use Elements. While I use LR pretty confidently, I'm a long way from feeling comfortable with Elements. This picture is of my children who got together a week ago for my high school senior's graduation (far right). Took the opportunity to make this shot which is actually two shots. Please critique and I'm not afraid of correction or someone not liking something. I wish to learn over getting approval.

The idea is great for the family album. I have to agree with the previous critique: the hair of most of your family blends into the background, which is a pity. The blown out areas have been mentioned. A reshoot is essential rather than play around with post processing.
The pose I am most unhappy with is the young man on the extreme left. He has his back to the rest of the family, which gives the impression that he wants nothing to do with them. (It's a given that this is not true.) Try posing him turned toward his relatives. The opposite young man, on the extreme right, is making an ugly fist. This pose, in my opinion, should be changed for something more attractive. (Give him some breakfast and he'll be able to hold his head up!)
This really is a fun shot and I congratulate you on the idea.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Shakey wrote:

The idea is great for the family album. I have to ... (show quote)

Thank you for commenting. I should have had my oldest, on the far left face the camera more. Didn't think about that. There is also limited space on the couch. Don't think the couch will ever be the same again. My son on the far right doesn't really have a fist, but is supporting his head and maybe should have been choreographed better. While I probably can't reshoot for an extended period of time, I am going to reprocess to fix the blown areas, I hope. The background maybe should have been turned a different color. The original background would not be suitable.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

The guy on the left is more brightly lit than any of the others, and his face is lighter and paler.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

R.G. wrote:

The guy on the left is more brightly lit than any of the others, and his face is lighter and paler.

Yes, I'm going to try and resolve that in the redo as well.

Thanks for viewing and commenting.

eric

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

manofhg wrote:

I'm just learning how to do a few portraits occasionally and also learning how to use Elements. While I use LR pretty confidently, I'm a long way from feeling comfortable with Elements.

This picture is of my children who got together a week ago for my high school senior's graduation (far right). Took the opportunity to make this shot which is actually two shots. Please critique and I'm not afraid of correction or someone not liking something. I wish to learn over getting approval.

Outstanding idea, Manofhg. Groups can be hard to get perfect. Sometimes shooting in threes (forgot the term) then copy past portions. Like if eyes are shut. It's a very good picture, but not perfect.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks for commenting. I've been out of town the last several days and am just now checking responses.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Yes, my light was nearest him and I should have at least used some reflectors to fill in more of those on the right side. I intend to go back to the original shot and correct some of the over blown areas and add some color to him as well.

Thanks for your input.

eric

Nightski

May I suggest that the body of the youngest span all the laps, you lose the pillow, and he rests his head on his hand, an elbow carefully placed on a brother's thigh. I would also like to see the ladies wearing something a little less busy. Perhaps a solid colour scoop neck or v-neck tee? It would be nice if everyone was wearing khaki pants or even if the girls wore khaki skirts if they like to dress in skirts .. just a suggestion.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thank for commenting. If I could set this up and plan it, I would have, but I just caught them while they were all together which is getting rare these days. I do appreciate your suggestions since it helps me look to future situations where I might not otherwise remember to do.

eric

Nightski

manofhg wrote:

Thank for commenting. If I could set this up and plan it, I would have, but I just caught them while they were all together which is getting rare these days. I do appreciate your suggestions since it helps me look to future situations where I might not otherwise remember to do.

eric

Eric, I can't even get one of my boys to look at the camera for me .. so this .. it's amazing.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks. My kids do like to hang out with each other and were together for the son's HS graduation (son on far right). Of course, aside from sitting on the couch, the position of the one across them was their idea, but he probably would not have fit anywhere else.

eric

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I finally have had time to read all the comments and make a few of my own. I like the suggestions so far and no matter what this picture will be priceless to them in the future. May I suggest that you clone out the son's second from the right's hand. It seems awkward to me that he has it in his lap under his brother. That arm would have been better placed behind his sister. I think you can remove it without it looking strange. I am impressed that you have them all with pleasant expressions on their faces. You have a nice looking family.