A graphic artist can put together a nice sunset, flower or butterfly. Only a photographer can get a shot like the eagle.

wow nice job, I'm sure the couple was happy.
retouching is my handicap I'm jealous

I'm sorry to labor over your explanation, but I need to get this right.
You're saying in portraiture = preselect the focus point closest to the eyes.

if things are moving = preselect the center focus point and frame it over the subject.
thanks

Hi you seem like a seasoned pro, and you have the same camera as me. I just noticed a focus issue with a few of my shots. I'd appreciate your input. My typical procedure for getting a shot is
1)Leave the auto focus on the center position only
2)Zoom to frame the shot
3)Move the center position over the main subject allow focus
4)return to original framing.

this seems to work until I noticed in these examples that the models face is not tack sharp in the first 2 frames.
But in the 3 it is. (maybe because her face is closer to the center??)

I was disappointed because my intent was to crop out her best expressions to add to her portfolio.
I don't know if that is a realistic expectation.
In the future should I frame the shot then selct the focus point that is closest to her face????
I thank you in advance for your input

I'm glad to hear that other peoples stuff gets moved I thought I was posting them wrong. The ugly baby line made me laugh out loud

thanks danilo well said. I've thought of a few things I could have done differently/better since this shoot. First (leaning to your point) I would have asked everyone to go back inside where it was cool, and reset the shot with just one person to get the shadows right. this would have lessened the rushed feeling and maybe the baby would have co-operated more. I will use a hair light in the future with snoot thanks....I have not graduated to RAW yet.........

In this recent shoot I consistently felt rushed. I arrived early the family was eating dinner, this wasn't awkward because I am friendly with them. While they finished I went out to the patio to find a spot that had good light. When they came outside the light had moved and I had to find a new spot, while they stod and watched. When I got them together It seemed like is was all I could do to keep them focused for 3 mins. I know there was a baby and dog but it still felt rushed. Is this normal????
Once I got going I struggled to balance the white shirts with the black hair. I need suggestions for that.

This second pic is a better example of "too harsh of flash"
His shirt is washed out (could've told him to button jacket too)
The ambient light was probably enough for the background so your subject only needs a little flash to light the face. Most times I use the slide out reflector card on my flash, with the flash angled 30 deg. less than strait up, then turn the power halfway down.
Sometimes I use a slide on diffuser.

thank you both

I found a great spot to capture the magic hour light. The toddler was really tough to get but I think I got lucky a few times. The teens was very co-operative, but I feel like I didn't do her justice despite having great light. No matter what I tried I could not get her to smile without squinting so her eyes look small. I had Mom hold a gold reflector for a few shots which helped, but she was mostly busy with the toddler. I tried shutter comp but mostly that gave me hot spots, or the shadow side of the face was to dark. I used fill flash then the light on one side of the face doesn't match the other. overall I feel like I let these people down despite being given an optimal situation.

What else should I try??


Is the reflector to harsh??

great shot good position for sun. needs fill flash though. the hair adds to the candidness of the shot. If the other 2 subjects looked perfectly posed then I would be disappointed but it looks like she jumped on her back everyone smiled and click.

yeah good point, all you would need is a piece of shoe string so it doesn't float out of reach

wow you guys are good this would totally stump me

thanks I knew that was a winner as soon as I hit the shutter I love that feeling.

I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean by "making them crosseyed" should I use 1 light or 2. I noticed the double spots in the eyes was weird but dismissed it as a necessary evil.
please elaborate I need to learn this stuff. thanks for responding