My son and his fiance

[sparkie1263]

My son and his fiance at there engagement party.I need work on my people pictures. I cannot seem to get any good pictures. I think I am better at things that don't stay still like birds.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/MikeJune1.jpg

[DonSchap]

Frank ... perhaps a lesson or two in portraiture might be of value.

I do not want to be overcritical, but I know that the framing in this particular shot needs work. I certainly do not want to be the one giving the advice, though. A couple of the Canon-guys do this on a routine basis and can offer a better approach to it.

I also would like to hear from them, but if I start offering suggestions, people tend to stay on the sidelines. This is a help forum, for the benefit of one and all ... so, how about guys ... what would YOU do to make this handsome couple more "portrait-like"?

[sparkie1263]

I know I need alot of work taking portraits. I just don't know how to position people. This is one area I didn't do any reading on. I think I will start to do some research. Unlike taking pictures at a wedding or a party there is alot you need to know. I hope some people will give me some pointers. Don feel free to give me some pointers if nobody starts to chime in.

Thanks
Frank

[dr4gon]

hmm I'm really not sure what's terribly wrong. (or really wrong at all, because I would take something like that, haha), but we are definitely here to learn, so I'd like to see all the critiques people can give. After all, that's why sparkie posted it.

The only thing is the flash is a bit harsh and not natural and the focus seems to be pretty sharp on the trees although they both seem very much in focus (the fiance more so).

[DonSchap]

Look ... the follow information is worth a read ... and I am posting it strictly as a reference point in taking images like these. Everyone can learn something ... but practice makes us better, for sure.

Please read through this: -> 12 Portrait Photographers (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/default_plc_portrait.asp)

Then, review the shot submitted.

@ Frank: Can you post the original image, BEFORE the crop?

The TAMRON Learning Center (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/default-new.asp) (<- click here) is a wonderful collection of thoughts, procedures, images and considerations for all of us to appreciate. Experience/Knowledge is true power ... and in photography, it prepares you for the ... next shot.

[dr4gon]

Maybe something like this?

[SpecialK]

Maybe something like this?

I guess I'll play.

Not too close a crop, so that the hands are still visible holding each other, and Mike's body does not disappear off the frame.
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[Rooz]

the only thing wrong with that pic is the background. (and i dont personally like square crops). otherwise theres nothing wrong with it.

[JonathanJ]

I agree that it is a nice photo, but the background is a little distracting.

My quick attempt at blurring the background:

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It is a Gaussian Blur, used a quick mask to select the background.

Cheers,

JJ

[TheWengler]

Here's what I would do (that doesn't make it right ;) )...

First I would shoot in a direction so that the tree is right behind them. Then I'd brighten up the exposure a little bit (personal preference). Then I'd crop it differently. For me, your son's head is too close to the top of the frame which isn't always bad, but I don't like it here. Your future daughter in law seems to be falling out the side of the picture. I guess it doesn't seem very balanced.

[CaliGal]

I agree with the others - the background is not good. That's really the #1 thing one should look at when setting up. Also the flash caused shiny skin... if you had used a diffuser or something this could have been avoided. The leaning to the visual right is only accentuated by the angled tree branch behind...also distracting.

It's still a cute pic though! :-)

[CaliGal]

>>>Please read through this: -> 12 Portrait Photographers<<<

Thanks for that... Always looking to learn more - it's very good info!

[sparkie1263]

Thanks for all the comments. I will try to crop it again later. Don thanks for the link I will read it later. here is the unedited picture.

Frank

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/DSC07317.jpg

[DonSchap]

Okay ... I took a few liberties ... basically due to constraints I saw in the image.

I rotated it, to bring more "balance" to the subjects. Mike is dominating the shot ... so we need to find a way to increase the young lady's presence and make her look proportionally "taller" ... so, I rotated the image to give her some elevation. Yeah, I know the background suffers ... but, I figure it is worthwhile for the "total" effect. Remember, it is in the eyes ... so I leveled Mike's out ... and effectively hoisted her right up with them.

I then added a 1/2 inch more canvas and cloned the upper edge of what I could get to extend the background a bit, giving Mike some "head room" and then cropped off the lower part of the image, to reduce the length effect Mike's long blue shirt had on the image. Believe it or not ... that is effectively "negative space" in this case and seems to be working against the composition.

I also left more room from the edge to the young lady's left arm ... make that side of the image offset the domiance on Mike on the other side. Balance, again.

Then, finally, if you were to draw a diagonal line from the upper left corner to lower right corner, it would pass right through their teeth (the brightest points in the image). Look in the original (above) ... and you will see how this truly affects the natural "flow" and proportionality of the image. Just little stuff ... overall:


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What do you think?

[sparkie1263]

I looks great I will try to get all these pointers right before i snap the picture.
Thanks Frank

[dr4gon]

LOL @ that tree! :D

and actually the original picture looks very nice (better than the first you posted IMO)

but don's crop is certainly a work of art! the background could even be straightened out, and no one would ever know! and the diagonal line he pointed out is very cool, really unifies the picture. ;)