My two girls

[rscattle]

Okay so thought I would try and post some pics, and hoping that the quality isn't too reduced, even though I think there is some color loss as well. The first time I tried, the picture was huge -- luckily I editted before any of you saw it. So this time I saved for the web again in PS and now I hope the quality isn't too much reduced. Am I correct in doing that to post to the site? I reduced the image size to 20% in "Save for the Web". If this is wrong would someone mind giving me some advice, please.

Any way, thought I would put these on here to get some feedback -- helps with the learning curve. I shot these with a Canon 30d and the lens that I ordered with it -- Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3. One has to use what one has available -- however I am getting the 50mm f/1.8 any day now. I have read I can do portraits with that, at least until I get some better glass. (Boy, I am starting to sound like I know what I am talking about).

For the indoor pics I went to Walmart and grabbed a piece of Velvet, and two work halogen lights and then improvised. Sometimes one has to do that, but I am happy with the results I think.

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7. I think my blondie is more in focus for some reason.
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[rscattle]

I did some work on Taylor's teeth (the brunette) following the guidlines from "some fun with one of CW's pics"....

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with CS2 & clone/heal/patch tools . You might try this method for a little more consistent results for the teeth & eyes. Once you have lasso'd the teeth (after I have the selection then I use ctl+alt+d to feather, usually 2-5 depending on resolution) then ctl+j to copy the selection to it's own layer. ctl+u to bring up hue/saturation. Then ctl+2 to bring up the yellow and decrease saturation (-50 is probably the most) then ctl+~ to get back to the master and increase lightness (probably up to 10 at most). The reason to put it on it's own layer is that way you can lower the opacity of the layer if you go to far, it just gives you a little more control over the result. Once happy, then ctl+e to merge, although I typically wait and merge last in case I need to go back to a certain layer and adjust. This method is also good for the whites of eyes, but ctl+1 to select the reds. Just make sure you have selected all the whites before bringing up the hue/sat adjustment. Sometimes you have to do both the reds & yellows of eyes. Just be careful, because it is easy to over do it and they look unnatural.

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But of course the teeth should probably be in focus first.:D And now they are whiter then Jessie's (the blonde), so should adjust both if doing one!!!

[24Peter]

You have some lovely shots of two beautiful children. I think you should be proud of your work so far.
For me the outdoor shots technically are a little better. You did very well with your lighting and the poses seem natural and relaxed. I do see a catch light in their eyes so I'm wondering if you used the on-camera flash as well as the natural light. Personally, I would punch up the color/saturation and/or contrast on all the shots but you may prefer them the way they are. (You could do that either in the camera or in the computer.)
The indoor shots are well posed and I think you did pretty well with the lighting esp. on #2. They do a little washed out however so again enhancing the contrast/saturation might help. Also there seems to be a focus issue, at least on #7 as you noted. It could be a DOF issue or it could be the lens (I don't think the Tamron 18-200 is known for stellar image quality.) But you're definitely off to a good start. The 50 1.8 will be a nice addition and you may want to play with the in-camera settings (such as sharpness and contrast and saturation) if you haven't already. For me, it's just practice, experiment, practice and experiment some more. :)

[D Thompson]

Nice shots. I, like Peter, would up the contrast/sat just a little.

[rscattle]

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I agree, thanks for pointing that out -- something so simple that can make a difference. Perhaps i went a bit too much in the adjustments, something that I will havve to play with. One thing I notice though is that when I use the "save for the web" I think I lose some of my color saturation. I suppose that is possible because I am losing quality. Is there another way to go about doing this -- because honestly the color is way better before I reduce the size of the pic.

[rscattle]

The 50 1.8 will be a nice addition and you may want to play with the in-camera settings (such as sharpness and contrast and saturation) if you haven't already. For me, it's just practice, experiment, practice and experiment some more. :)

As well, would you mind helping me out some more and tell me what are some good in-camera settings for doing portrait shots... or is it all a matter of playing around and finding what works?:)

[24Peter]

As well, would you mind helping me out some more and tell me what are some good in-camera settings for doing portrait shots... or is it all a matter of playing around and finding what works?:)

I don't have a 30D and personally am a little mystified by the whole picture styles thing Canon is doing these day (I've used a 5D and XTi that have them thought is was just easier to adjust contrast, sharpness, saturation myself), so I can't make any specific suggestions there. (Also, if you're shooting RAW than the in-camera settings are optional.) But the great thing about digital is you get to try different things and see instantly how they work. ;)

[cwphoto]

You have very pretty daughters and have taken some good shots of them. :)

For portraits I mostly use 'Neutral' and occassionally +1 contrast on a really overcast day, or +1 saturation sometimes.

I also +3 sharpen.

[cpaussie]

Great photos of your daughters:)

[rscattle]

Thanks again -- appreciate the comments -- Posting helps you learn!;)