Dissappointed in photos

[kat]

So I had a hockey friend request to do her family portrait to send out with their family cards.

I did them yesterday..started looking today and I don't even like one shot.

I have no idea what to do..

Just can't get over how bad they look and why?

What should I do? I wasn't charging her but I hate to give this away as my work when I know I can do so much better... to make it worse..I can't reshoot because it was requested last minute and they are to be printed this evening...

:wall-an: :cry-an: :wall-an:

[Iguanasan]

I'm sure your standards are much higher than theirs. Pick the best of the bunch that you can live with and offer them up suggesting that maybe they'd like a round two after Christmas?

[Bambi]

I agree with Iggy. as long as the kids look cute they will be okay with them. why not post some here and maybe you can get some suggestions?

[kat]

Here is a couple I sent them.

I'll post then tell you what I had a hard time with.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4185717490_d3e60864ce_o.jpg

[kat]

In this photo..the boy is slightly out of focus. The lighting was three bulbs above my head (low luminance) and my flash that ran out of battery (had the wrong kind with me) and I lost the battle with it. I wasn't able to shoot at a low f-stop..that may have soemthing to do with it but saying that..wouldn't the man be out of focus as well?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4185717482_b0dfe65944_o.jpg

[kat]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4185717476_f18379ed11_o.jpg

[kat]

Glare on faces!!!! When I shoot portraits..99% of the time they are outdoors, cloudy days, shade, evening/morning shots.

How would it been best to handle this harsh light..but not loose it as it was my only light?

Oh..and this has had some work on the faces done..I just couldn't do anymore....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4185717470_0d5d53810d_o.jpg

[kat]

Ok. To recap.

Harsh light and how to soften it, specially on faces (nose, chins).
Eye glasses!!! Anyway to work with them or you get what you get?
How to get those sharp photos, low light with people.

How to get four people smiling, eyes open all at the same time for at least one out of 10 shots!!!!

[Iguanasan]

If they got these for free, they'll be happy with them. For your own peace of mind I would offer the re-shoot. After you've had a chance to understand how to fix the things that are driving you crazy.

1) I'd recommend a remote shutter release. You can kinda tell that everyone is looking at you, the photographer, as you look through the viewfinder. Ideally, you might want to consider setting up the shot using a tripod and then pull your face away from the camera and engage them in conversation while you shoot away getting the right smiles and eyes open. They'll also feel more relaxed.

2) You can get little flashbox/diffuser for the Nikon that would help soften the harsh flash - Amazon.com: Janco Flash Softbox Diffuser for the Nikon D100, D200, D40, D300, D700, D40x, D50, D70 , D80, D90 & D60 Digital Cameras: Camera & Photo (http://www.amazon.com/Janco-Softbox-Diffuser-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002OIF4IO)

3) Out of focus I think is due to motion blur. What shutter speed were you using?

4) Don't be afraid to move a lamp from another room to brighten the "studio" that you are in.

[Marko]

Not sure how many you need Kat - Just 1, 2 3?

Portraits are hard work for sure:

here goes my thoughts...
Shot 1 is decent expression-wise.
Shot 2 is better expression-wise but the boy is softish
Shot 3 - B/w has too weird of a treatment for me and dad's forehead is blown..If it's not totally clipped, I would try to rework this. Expressions here are the best so far (between 1-3)
Shot 4 - My least fave based on the overall pose. Still, the kids are smiling and look cute.

If this were mine I'd try to rework #3, If I could not, I'd try to save (sharpen more) the boy's soft side of his face in shot 2. If I could not, I'd submit #1.

For some of your questions...
- For softening - If I use flash I normally bounce...If studio - umbrellas or softbox....In your case I would have tried windowlight if the flash had died on some shots.
- Eyeglasses - can be repositioned slightly to see if it helps, alter head position slightly to see if that helps...move light to see if it helps -
- Sharp photos low light....how low can u go? not that low unless u got tripod or a kick-butt stabilization lens. For shots like this you'll want F5.6 -F.8 on the longer lenses to get enough D.O.F. on the faces. What was your aperture?
- Shoot at least 3-6 shots of every pose...try talking to them, making them laugh. occasionally check...occasionally. and check fast..

added after - exif data on these would be helpful - iggy's cable release suggestion rocks!


Hope that helps - Marko

[Marko]

Another general rule - outdoor shooting is way easier than indoor shooting...
....and also makes for festive holiday shots. Choose a soft cloudy day or shoot near a shaded tree for ease.

[kat]

Thanks!
I know right now half my problem was I got there..had 2 mins to get camera out of bag and start shooting cause we had to leave for hockey in 30 mins.

Just too rushed.

I don't have any studio gear what so ever. Which makes it hard as well..I want that studio feel but I know i can't get it without more equipment and a better lens.

I have the bw shot in color and he's not blown out. I think that will be the one.

[Marko]

Glad you found one you like - it just takes one!

You can do a lot with just on camera flash if it is bounced but you need the head to be able to move in different directions for best results. I don't recall if you have this gear but it should be on your must have list for casual location portraits.

The name brands will likely set you back 5-6 hundred new...try used.

3rd party dedicated flashes are much cheaper and also a good bet.
Hope that helps - marko

[kat]

Thank you!

Time for the lottery to get my numbers right!!! It's getting pretty frustrating to know I'm at a certain point in my photography..want to move up but now it comes down to money.

Going to take a break..and come back.

[Mad Aussie]

Don't have time this morning to read through the text I'm afraid so apologies for repeating what others have said.

You are definitely picky Kat. These people aren't photographic critique experts and I'm sure what you've come up with is well beyond their capabilities. I'm sure they understand that without the studio lighting etc they weren't going to get perfection but from I see they are getting very good anyhow.

Pick the best ... maybe give them two versions of some that could do with some background distraction work and stop worrying.

And the reason dad is sharp and son is not ... son moved ... not you :) The slow shutter makes that more obvious ... obviously :)


I've seen you do some awesome work with ambient light too Kat ... don't write off the value you have there either.

[DonW]

Id like to add dont be afraid of your pop up flash. In a pinch you can be creative with index cards and paper used as diffusers and bounce cards. Plain white paper rolled over the flash helps alot with overhead light issues.

Don

[EJC]

:yell:Don't back down because of equipment Kat!!!

Look for DIY light modifiers on youtube and flickr. I took some flexible rods from a golf pitching target (a small tent like thing) and a white sheet from the Sally Ann Thrift store and made 2 collapsible diffusers. White foam board, 2 sided tape and aluminium foil makes a reflector. The hardware store sells heat lamp assemblies with a tin reflector dish and built in clamp. Replace the red bulb with a 100 or 150 watt bulb or the brightest energy saver fluorescent bulbs. Put a 2x2 into an empty 4 litre paint can and pack sand or gravel around it and clamp the light to that. You have a portable, adjustable light stand. All this is cheap or you already own it. It ain't pretty but you can practise with it and get some good shots.

Ebay has some cheap remote flash triggers and Vivitar 283 or 285 flashes can be inexpensive too. You can create your own strobist set up. You have to be careful with some 3rd party flashes. Their trigger voltage could damage your camera if you mount it directly. That's why I use the remote triggers and I can use the flash anywhere I want to put it.

Here are the light modifiers I made. Sorry for the weird light. There is fluorescent, incandescent and Xmas tree LEDs lighting this one.

[kat]

Thank you! I've made my own reflector but never the lights! I will get my hubby to read this and have hime put that together..even if it's downstairs to get used to it!

I have a flash that does come off but have no understanding of it yet nor the abilty to take it off..so that will be a purchase soon..same with a remote for my camera!

I think it's time to buy a book on lighting!

[DonW]

Winter is a great time to learn lighting. Strobist (http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/) is a good site also check out youtube strobist videos. Bert Stephani has some real good ones.

Don

[kat]

Winter is a great time to learn lighting. Strobist (http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/) is a good site also check out youtube strobist videos. Bert Stephani has some real good ones.

Don

Thankyou!


So I've notified them that I would love to do a reshoot but outside. They have a lovely house with a dock and little ice rink..thought that would be a great set up for some photos. Not to sure if they will take the offer up..but we'll see.

Now to move on as I've been asked to do a shoot for another family this weekend. They are all game to head down to the beach and have fun..although our lake is frozen over so you won't see much water.. :p

Now going through poses..although they are hard to find for four people..which now brings on my next question.. a good posing book?

[Mad Aussie]

Now going through poses..although they are hard to find for four people..which now brings on my next question.. a good posing book?
You're the expert Kat ;)

My advice is to think in two categories ... Formal ... and Informal. Get a few serious shots ... these are your safety shots ... then go for it ... fun, sexy, playful, props, unique angles ... whatever.

[kat]

Ha ha.. I know I know. Just going through ideas in my head..just having a slightly hard time with this one. The kids aren't kids but a teen and university student..so my kid ones I usually do are a bit of a no.

Going to be an interesting one for sure though.. outdoors in snow. :P Bring on the blow outs! Bwahahahhahaha.

[Mad Aussie]

You might be surprized how young those kids are when you get them out there and in the snow in front of a camera!

[Bambi]

A friend of mine had some family photos made that were stunning. I guess the photographer put on some music and told the parents to just have fun with the kids. these kids are likely too old for that but I always thought that it was good idea.

[Greg_Nuspel]

One thing that works many times is to talk with them and tell them you just want to check your camera settings. Pop off a shot, look at your back, play with with the camera, take a few more, then say OK lets do it and watch them tense up. The test shots are the keepers :-) Harder to pull off with a group than a single person, but worth a try.

[adenough]

Hi All
This is my first posting here. Now a born again amateur but spent 15 years as a pro.
I think those pictures will be fine. It's not as if they paid [although I take your point about your image] and if they had, they are still fine. Plus you have a second chance using all the good advice you have on here. When I did studio shots I always had the camera on a tripod and focus preset with enough depth of field to cover the group. An older 35mm or 50mm on a digi slr would be ideal as you can actually set the lens up using the marked distance against apeture. Once this is done use a remote if poss and stand behind the camera ensuring that you keep eye contact with the group and you are more likely to see if anybody moved. Keep a bounced flash to one side of the camera and any kind of relector on the other side should give you very presentable results. If you are not lighting the background you should be syncing a shutter speed above at least 90th of a second using flash which should freeze any movement anyway. Enjoy.

Jim:)