How critical are people? I shot my friend's son's bday party with the intent of getting families to pose with their toddlers. THis I hope will lead to referrals. After looking through...

Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

I shot my friend's son's bday party with the intent of getting families to pose with their toddlers. THis I hope will lead to referrals. After looking through the material, most of the kids look messy, and my candid shots look ameture. Did I blow it???????

tk Loc: Iowa

I am not a pro. (Disclaimer) I feel the messiness is not an issue since you were getting candids. The white background is a problem for me. Everything seems "too bright" because of it. I like the kids expressions. First one looks oof. Honestly, I think some of the parents will like them. You are close, imo.

Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

Wow I thought the backdrop wasn't bright enough. I was going for the "blownout" effect, and missed. The families were arriving so fast that I didn't want to stop and fix it. It felt like a weird balance of doing something fun, and interrupting people.

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

What PP program do you use? Some of this can be corrected there. All in all, you have some good candids if you clean them up a little. Remember that 'selective cropping' can be your friend.

tk Loc: Iowa

Loudbri wrote:

Wow I thought the backdrop wasn't bright enough. I was going for the "blownout" effect, and missed. The families were arriving so fast that I didn't want to stop and fix it. It felt like a weird balance of doing something fun, and interrupting people.

My opinion only. It's not like I've never been wrong.

Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

post production is my weakness I only have the Canon software that came with the camera (5dm2). I'm not very good at it. It does allow cropping which I did use for most shots. On the occasion that I get a gig for hire I send it to a friend who is a photoshop wiz.

pamelajoy Loc: Aussie

I love the expressions on the faces of the first four. Beautiful.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

I find the lighting flat and the exposure a bit too high as the highlights seem to be just shy of blown out. I see that you are using two lights but they seem to be of equal brightness. Personally, I don't care for a crop that takes to top of a head off. Sometimes that works but here it comes across as a mistake.

You need to work on your lighting and a great site to help with that is: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

Also see MWAC's people photography section on this forum.

Keep working and you'll get the hang of it. Most of all have fun!

Cecil Loc: United Kingdom

Hi Loudbri (Strange name!)
I have just reduced the 'Shadows' in one pic - the folk are now 'recognisable'. Is it OK?
Cecil

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Loudbri wrote:

I shot my friend's son's bday party with the intent of getting families to pose with their toddlers. THis I hope will lead to referrals. After looking through the material, most of the kids look messy, and my candid shots look ameture. Did I blow it???????

No. Because when parents look at pics of their kids they do not see what an impartial observer sees - the parents see with their hearts whereas the shooter (you) sees with your head. So, no you did not blow it and will likely get a referral

ALYN Loc: Lebanon, Indiana

One and two are good "commercial shots" The rest are just so-so-----in my opinion. AL

AK Dreamer Loc: Alaska & Nevada

For what reason do you want a referral? Do you think you maybe have the cart ahead of the horse? I don't want to be overly critical but, by your words, you do not have a post processing program. If you are planning to do commercial work there is quite a learning curve to most of the programs that a commercial enterprise would require. I do not do portraits so I cannot comment on the photos you posted however, I do feel you really need to learn your camera inside and out and learn and utilize a PP program before attempting a commercial enterprise. Hope I haven't offended...it was not my intention. Keep shooting!

Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

thanks cecil,,,, post production is my weakness, I have a lot to learn.

William Loc: Mississippi

Good candid work ... looks like a good set.
Formal work with children takes preperation
cuz the short attention span is a matter of
a few moments. I've done the studio before
but it's not my style as I don't do it for
a living anymore. Bv

William Loc: Mississippi

the lighting is harsh and you want to catch
one light in the eye as it makes them cross eyed