Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The "light" doesn't care what is holding it, only people do.
A more expensive setup will not give you better light, unless you lack control of the light.
It all depends on the light positioning.

d3200prime

The backdrop is drawing attention away from the subject. Use a white, black, or some muted colored backdrop. The clothes are too flashy and also detract from the subject. In portraiture, all minor elements of the shot should be secondary. The subject and only the subject should stand out.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Good efforts - bad background - had the same situation, the customer picked the background. Worst portraits I've ever taken. Kodak had a little book on Portraiture - still available on the internet for a few dollars - simple & worthwhile. Also, if you search Introduction to Portrait Photography, lots of useful info. There is a line between too few and too many photos in this context - IMO just enough is better than too many!

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I'm no expert.


Your camera settings were: 1/50 sec., f/3.5, ISO 200.

1. I think #3 is your best at framing the head/upper body.

2.The nose appears to me to be out of focus. The eyes are the sharpest part of the image. The hair around the ear is out of focus. You have a very narrow depth of field that is in focus.

If it were me I would,
A. Use a fast shutter speed (shorter shutter duration to freeze the slightest movement)
B. Use a higher f/number for a greater depth of field.
C. Use a higher ISO to make the above happen.

I can't say what the actual numbers for your situation would be.
I would take several images of each child.

How young are these pre-schoolers? A squeaky toy may be a great tool to get them to look where you want them to look. Squeakies work good for adults, too!!

The background..... As said, it is distracting. If the background screen is large enough and you have room, push it back as far as you can so it will be more out of focus (soften it up more). Or, use a "nonbusy" wall in the school. And place the kids far out in front of it.

Consider framing the subjects with a wider view. This will give you more options in "post" to frame for different size images (8x10 5x7).

And then, more test shots of your willing subject for us to review!

Pre-schoolers... I would think they could wiggle around a bit. Consider that in your settings.
One moment they could move their head slightly closer or farther away from your camera.

I hope you get permission from the parents to post here on UHH. We would like to see the final results!!
I hope this is helpful!
Maybe others will jump in with more ideas/clarifications!
Pat

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Suzanne it is a good start! I took the liberty of taking #2 which had the most "distracting background" and toned it down and touched up a couple spots and cropped the photo a tad to focus on the young lady's face. As photographers not all shots are great and post processing has saved many a photo. Good job and good luck. No fear! :)

-Jim E.

anotherview Loc: California

This rendering works in several ways to improve on the original.

The effect of unnatural skintone (orange), however, distracts from the main subject -- the young female. Disregard this effect. Try for a natural skintone whenever possible.

If the coloration proves too burdensome to bring to a natural presentation, then try reducing the image to black-and-white. I have done so here as an example.

Note that portraits done in black-and-white often produce a very dramatic rendering of the subject.

Version in Black-and-White

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

Tilt her head downward for a more pleasing shot. Also, try a different background, something a bit less busy.

Xanadu Loc: Clay County FL

I agree that the backgroud is somewhat distracting. However, the dress itself is distracting. I don't know the circumstances you are faced with. If possible, I would request your subjects wear plain drab clothing. The picture is not about garments but about the person.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

She s only looking "up" significantly in one picture. I think the picture of her are charming, well-posed and well-exposed. I agree about the background; either something less intrusive, or have the subject be far enough away so that you can blur it into bokeh.

Being slightly below your subject tends to project her better because it flatters (unless there is a lower facial feature you want to deemphasise); being above her would not be flattering, and eye-level could morph into a mug shot. Good work.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Move the people further away from the background and use a shallow DOF. And try to make sure that whatever lighting you use falls off before hitting the background.

phildee Loc: Oceanside, NY

Nice work! Could be more colorful. I don’t like the background. Maybe you a try again?

tcthome Loc: NJ

Good move in showing the director. If they like the shots at that camera level, stay with it. Of course it doesn't hurt to try other positions before the shoot. Good luck.

Wes Loc: Dallas

Suzanne, save this for the yearbook. She'll be forever grateful.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Agree!!! B&W have saved many a photo. Also agree about the heavy skin tone on my version of the makeover. In 5 mins, late at night, I failed to properly review my final rendering. Another valid point... don't process photos when you are exhausted. You will miss things and your eyes get tired. 🤣🤣🤣