CO

I noticed that you used a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens at 18mm. When you get your client there try to avoid wide angle settings. Practically all zoom lenses that start at wide angle settings have a lot of barrel distortion at the wide end. I looked up that lens on LensTip.com. It has -3.52% barrel distortion at 18mm and only 0.40% at 35mm and 55mm. Try to use at least a 30mm focal length.

-3.52% barrel distortion at 18mm


Only -0.40% distortion at 30mm and 55mm (very low)

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

A lot depends on what your subject is. BUT assuming that your subject is a person, and that the camera placement /lens etc has previously been agreed to with the clients and is as shown in your posting, I 'd think that just outside the circle between the "V's" closest to the blue mark on the circle. might be a good place for a person. But be careful, Don't let the background become pictorially more important than the subject. The subject should be a bright color that will stand out from the far far too busy background. Perhaps you could use limited DOF (Bokeh) to partially blur the background while still leaving enough.
detail for a sense of place. Given the constraints you seem to have set, it's difficult for me to imagine a satisfactory end result. If though, the subject placement is not locked and the lens, perspective etc. is still flexible then I'd say the subject placement depends on the gender/ age etc of your client and what you want your photographs to say about them. A male artist would be posed in a different part of the scene and from a different angle with a different lens than would a teen girls graduation photo, But that's just my thoughts on it. (Other's Mileage May Vary)

aellman Loc: Boston MA

You have a lot of wasted space in the image. Look at all the sky. Unless you're going for an special composition, in a portrait, the subject should fill most of the frame. I would seat the subject on the edge of the sculpture enclosure in a position that doesn't block the birds. Then walk in and get MUCH closer. There is no single formula for subject placement. I suggest you experiment with different positions. A professional would do the same. I have attached an example of a portrait in which the subjects fill the frame, and one with more space with the subject off-center to achieve the composition
I was going for. Hope this helps.

Good luck! >Alan

williejoha

Way to busy. Your subject will get lost in the picture unless you cut down on the frame.IMHO
WJH

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

thank you for the suggestion. will keep that in mind. if i were to photograph a client on this spot, where would be a good spot to place them. also would i need to blurr out most of the background for that shot?

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

awesome suggestions here, will definitely try them. thank you. i agree the geese sculpture is distracting option and i've been trying to think of how i could work it with subject. i like your idea. will be posting the shots soon!

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

Hi orrie smith, thank you for the suggestion. will keep that in mind. if i were to photograph a client on the suggested spot would i need to blurr out most of the background for that shot?

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

[quote=sueyeisert]0Using the whole screen the person will be small. Also it’s very distracting that your scene
needs to be straightened.[/quote

thank you for your response. i would be using elements from the scene here for portrait shots. would like suggestions on how to style the shot using these elements, not neccessarily the entire scene. for example the geese structure, what shots can i achieve with the client using this without it being distracting?

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

oh thank you CO! love the ideas and will try them. what can i do to get rid of the shadows from the roof bars? will an off camera flash work or a continuous light source?

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

thank you so much for your comment! yes i really appreciate CO's simplified options, really works. on the contrary i'm not confused at all by the responses. they've broadened my styling options and also taught me crucial tips for viewing locations differently! that was the whole point of the question, more knowledge.

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

again, an interesting suggestion, would never have thought of it until now. i've learnt something valuable with that. thanks alot!

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

good suggestions thank you very much. the client is a male high school senior who wants creative shots done, these are not for the school's year book, his mum is having these for the family

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

good suggestions, i love em! for the subject beside the bird option, would it be good to blur the bird a bit?i dont see how it wont draw eyes away from the subject if placed in focus.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

OK. Now we know the subject. You will probably want to "blur" the background for a portrait shot. What lenses are you working with? Do you have reflectors or an off camera flash? Do you have a tripod? Do you have a remote trigger? Does the client want tight head shots, full body shots or 3/4 shots, or perhaps all of the above? Will there be a change of outfits? How long will you have for the shoot?

For starter questions.

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

thank you for your input, find responses to the questions asked below;

*canon T5 EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens Kit is what i used for the shot. will be renting a more appropriate lens for the shoot. any suggestions?
*reflectors, flash, trigger will be rented. suggestions also welcomed
*tripod i have
* 2 outfit changes
*mix of all 3 type of shots
*i reckon i can do the shoot in 2hrs or less. i work fast especially if i plan ahead and know what i need