Help me with my portfolio, please (1)

[Rhys]

I will be putting up a selection of images for 4 days. I would like people to tell me which images they think would look good in my portfolio and why and whether they need to be cropped and where, if they do.

I would make a poll but I don't really feel like putting 272 options!

Anyway, I want to select maybe 10 of the best of the 272 images, cropped if needed. They're large enough to crop. Feel free to crop them.

After I've done with selecting these 10, I'll do some portraits/fashion stuff locally. I might include some scenic views and product shots too.

I know I want to include the two hands together with the rings. That leaves 9 shots left to choose from. Remember this has to appeal to women. If you want to see shots changed to sepia/b&w etc then suggest it.

Each photo is numbered so we'll all know what we're talking about.

Here we are... http://picasaweb.google.com/rhyssage/NewFolder4

If you click on the images and tell me the image number or read the exif to tell me the real number of those you like, that'd be great.

[Rhys]

Trimmed to 102 now.

[TheWengler]

I'm going to have to agree with miles01110 from your last website thread. I don't pretend to be an expert on flash photography but the light from the flash appears very harsh and it's not very flattering. Another point, this wedding looks like it took place in a gym. When someone is looking for a wedding photographer, one of the main things that is going to factor into their decision is your gallery. They're going to want to see breath taking backdrops and lighting that appears natural and flattering. The photos in the linked gallery are not up to par for professional photography. If you have better examples of your work, I'd like to see them. I hope you take all of this the right way. It's only honest criticism.

[Rhys]

I'm going to have to agree with miles01110 from your last website thread. I don't pretend to be an expert on flash photography but the light from the flash appears very harsh and it's not very flattering. Another point, this wedding looks like it took place in a gym. When someone is looking for a wedding photographer, one of the main things that is going to factor into their decision is your gallery. They're going to want to see breath taking backdrops and lighting that appears natural and flattering. The photos in the linked gallery are not up to par for professional photography. If you have better examples of your work, I'd like to see them. I hope you take all of this the right way. It's only honest criticism.

It did take place in a gym. The lighting was almost non-existent so all I had was my 420EX. The B&G did not have time to pose in front of nice backdrops either.

[erichlund]

Rhys, I don't know where to start. OK, I'll start by saying I agree with Lucas.

1. Think Lumisphere or bounced flash or something. Your lighting is so harsh. You MUST STOP using direct flash. You must also learn to use only as much power as needed for the shot. In one of those shots of the Greek/Roman columns, I could see some picture mounted on the wall in the background, and it was well lit. With single flash, only your subjects should be well lit. TTL with center weighted or spot metering. As you can afford better equipment, you want to learn to use a multi-flash setup. In the meantime, find ways to take more natural light photography, or ways to extend your lighting by combining natural light with your flash in creative ways. Spots are hot and they make people sweat, but they are probably the cheapest form of "big" lights that will really soften your light. Consider investing in some reflectors and perhaps a single softbox.

2. Separate you subject from the background. These are not police photos. They are glamour shots. The only thing that should be in focus is your subjects. The background should provide a pleasant backdrop and maybe frame for the subjects. You need about 6-8' separation between your subjects and the backdrop and you need to be using around f8 (or brighter). I don't know what you are using for a lens, but you want one with 7-9 rounded blade aperture for good bokeh.

3. Set the stage. Take a picture of the things you will use as a backdrop with no subject. Look through your backdrop (if you can, that's probably the first problem). Are there any distractions (I've already mentioned one). With those columns, you should have had a black drape off the back of it so you couldn't see beyond the backdrop. The bare walls, chairs, etc. - Ouch. Go to a fabric store and get enough black velvet (best you can afford) to completely block out any frame you might expect to use from any background distractions. Alternatively, a good camera shop will have backdrops for sale and rent. This is your mini-studio. Ask at a camera shop about stands to hold your frame of fabric (or paper backdrop). Duct Tape is your friend and ally. Go to Costco and buy enough so you think you'll never run out (you will).

4. Ask at your local camera store about classes. What you are looking for is a studio lighting or portraiture course. I'm not suggesting you need to have a complete studio setup. But what you will learn at such a course is how to use light to improve your photos. I took one for grins. I learned a lot, and some of that is in here.

Good Luck

[TheWengler]

Here's the thing, if someone is looking for a photographer and they happen to stumble upon your site they're only going to give it one chance. It's too easy to move on to someone else's site if they don't like what they see. This is why it's important that everything on your site be appealing/professional. The most important thing is the gallery. If potential customers don't like what they see when they get there it won't matter what you're charging. In my opinion it's more important that these photos be of high quality and taken in good lighting than just the fact that they're shots of a wedding.

About your site, the color scheme should involve lighter colors and the design should involve photos you've taken.

[Rooz]

i wouldn't be putting any of those photos up for your portfolio. the way you used the flash is just not good enuf for "this is my work" type of photos. i would suggest you take some other shots from another wedding or higher quality. what those photos say to me is that you recorded the event rather than capturing the emotion of the event.

here is a great place to learn. http://strobist.blogspot.com/

rhys, i know you don;t like hearing this cos we've discussed it before and in particular you're flash technique. maybe you did need to use the flash but it could've been done better. imho, if you are trying to make a business out of this then you need to brush up on your flash photography skills.

i would suggest you look thru Estorra and cwphoto's wedding shots to see how these guys frame, light and compose their shots.

[Rhys]

I must admit that before, my only experience of flash photography was in a press context where we just blast the hell out of the subject, making sure it's balanced for the background with the subject as the only important thing. I used to use a Metz 45 while a lot of the other guys used the Metz 60.

I'll have to practice and so on.