First Planned "People" Photoshoot with Girlfriend

[p27rpy]

I am trying to branch out a bit more from automotive photography and want to try my hand at fashion, portrait and event photography. I have been lurking in the People sub-forum for some time now, gathering ideas and technical info as best I can. This past weekend, my girlfriend and I headed down to the Arboretum to shoot a bit and get some practice.

I really love all the naturally lit shots that I see and I decided to do the same, with no off camera flash for the shoot. I did bring along a reflector. Shot with a D700, 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8. I ended up loving the 85 for this purpose.

I have to say, it's harder than it looks! I'm happy with my first attempt, and would love to hear any CC that you more seasoned portrait photogs have for me. Be honest, it will only make me better!

Theo

1


2


3


4
I was going to toss this one initially, but I thought it had kind of a "monroe-esque" quality to it. Maybe, maybe not, haha.


5


6
My personal favorite of the set.


7


8


9


10
- (Only realized while editing that you're not supposed to shoot up into the nose...oh well. Now I know for next time!)


11
- The possibly overdone upside-down shot


12
- Trying my hand at sunflare.


13

[danchez]

some of these are really nice, good locations, nice comp, but her constant facial expression kind of detracts from the images. I think a variety of facial expressions could really add to an already nice set of images. I really like #1, #3, clone out that silver plate on back of the bench, or move her over just a few inches. Was going to comment on #10, but you already did.

[toverman]

Get that girl to smile. She has that "my boyfriend is taking my photo so let me look like a serious model" look.

[naranjita]

There's a branch hanging in font of her face in #2 running along the outside of her nose, and that's making her nose look wide.
Number 4 is nice! She has a lovely smile. : )

[rab3rd]

try to limit the number of photos to two or three, there are way too many here to comment on.

[camera shy]

CC - kudos for asking.

Generally OK. You break a lot of 'rules'. Rule of thirds, amputation of body limbs, leading lines, body posture, facial expression, lens flare.

Quite often a good photographer can break these rules and the images still work. Not because it accidentally happened that way but because it was planned to happen that way.

I won't attempt to do a lesson in how the rules apply and don't apply, just think you should do some studying and mostly observing others images. My first impression is that you are looking for a style and it seems to be soft images ( the good kind of soft) with muted colors and lessening contrast. This is a very acceptable style and you've done this in most of the images. Good job.

ONce you understand the 'rules' you'll know what I mean. Take your image, look at it. Don't concern yourself much with what you LIKE about it. Study what you DON'T LIKE about it and try to learn from that.

There are very few natural photographers. Everyone has to learn to get better and you've got a good start. I wonder what she looks like with a smile ?

[David Whatley]

#7 is my fav, but why is there a hand resting on the log to her right? It doesnt belong to anyone I can see
Get the idea?
Also, I understand using all natural light, but some fill where you could have made the BG go a lot darker may have helped focus the eye on her.

[Stifled_1]

Nice location. Where is this location?

[p27rpy]

Originally Posted by danchez

some of these are really nice, good locations, nice comp, but her constant facial expression kind of detracts from the images. I think a variety of facial expressions could really add to an already nice set of images. I really like #1, #3, clone out that silver plate on back of the bench, or move her over just a few inches. Was going to comment on #10, but you already did.

Thanks very much for the tips! Good eye.

Originally Posted by toverman

Get that girl to smile. She has that "my boyfriend is taking my photo so let me look like a serious model" look.

Haha, yes we'll have to work on that for the next shoot for sure. Mainly my fault for that, she defaults to "Third-Grade-Picture-Face", haha.

Originally Posted by naranjita

There's a branch hanging in font of her face in #2 running along the outside of her nose, and that's making her nose look wide.
Number 4 is nice! She has a lovely smile. : )

I saw that too, but I loved the comp and lighting of the shot so I couldn't nix it. Wish I'd seen it then though!

Originally Posted by rab3rd

try to limit the number of photos to two or three, there are way too many here to comment on.

Sorry about that. How about just pick your 3 least favorite and CC from there! I'm always open for improvement!

Originally Posted by camera shy

CC - kudos for asking.

Generally OK. You break a lot of 'rules'. Rule of thirds, amputation of body limbs, leading lines, body posture, facial expression, lens flare.

Quite often a good photographer can break these rules and the images still work. Not because it accidentally happened that way but because it was planned to happen that way.

I won't attempt to do a lesson in how the rules apply and don't apply, just think you should do some studying and mostly observing others images. My first impression is that you are looking for a style and it seems to be soft images ( the good kind of soft) with muted colors and lessening contrast. This is a very acceptable style and you've done this in most of the images. Good job.

ONce you understand the 'rules' you'll know what I mean. Take your image, look at it. Don't concern yourself much with what you LIKE about it. Study what you DON'T LIKE about it and try to learn from that.

There are very few natural photographers. Everyone has to learn to get better and you've got a good start. I wonder what she looks like with a smile ?

Thanks for all your helpful information! I will definitely use some of it next time I shoot. I do believe in these rules of photography that you've stated, but sometimes I feel like it's refreshing to look outside the box to make a photo interesting. Sun flare, for example, is against the rules in the traditional sense; but I feel when used correctly, can evoke emotion and warmth that is otherwise pretty hard to come by. However, I do need to take more time to consider leading lines and facial expression.

Thanks again for all your helpful input, I appreciate it very much!

Originally Posted by David Whatley

#7 is my fav, but why is there a hand resting on the log to her right? It doesnt belong to anyone I can see
Get the idea?
Also, I understand using all natural light, but some fill where you could have made the BG go a lot darker may have helped focus the eye on her.

Good call on the hand. I hadn't even notice that until now. I'll need to make sure and keep a better eye out for that next time!

I disagree with making the background darker in these images as they are just as essential to this set as the model, I feel. I think that the bokeh and lighting separates her in a way that sufficiently draws the eye to her.

Thanks very much for your input!

Originally Posted by Stifled_1

Nice location. Where is this location?

It's the Houston Arboretum!

[PhotoByLeal]

every one pretty much said what I was going to say..... 5 & 11 I like the most!
Do you need a permit to shoot in the Houston Arboretum?

What kind of gear did you take and did anyone say anything to you?

thanks....

[p27rpy]

Not that I know of! I showed up with my small camera bag (d700, 85m 1.8, 50mm 1.8), a folding reflector and a bag with some clothes. No complaints from anyone! Strobes might not be appreciated though.

[DiskoJoe]

LOL, i marked 5 as a favorite on flickr before i ever saw this post. the haziness of the images make her look great. very classy shot.

12 was good too but her outfit kind of ruins that one. the yellow and black just doesnt have the same appeal as the dress from 5.

[reader0428]

Originally Posted by PhotoByLeal

Do you need a permit to shoot in the Houston Arboretum?

I don't think a permit is required, but there is a location fee - I think it's $100. I don't know that it's enforced very strictly, though, and there's no info about it on their web site. (The Executive Director told me when I was there a few months ago - I was surprised because I didn't think they charged a location fee, but she told me that policy has always been in place.)

[tml]

Gutsy contre-jour shots. #5 is my favorite and it would have been fantastic if the facial expression had been more relaxed and the right hand/wrist in a better position. The main thing is you have a beautiful and willing model thus you will get progress very far.

Tri

[cstewart1977]

Originally Posted by reader0428

I don't think a permit is required, but there is a location fee - I think it's $100. I don't know that it's enforced very strictly, though, and there's no info about it on their web site. (The Executive Director told me when I was there a few months ago - I was surprised because I didn't think they charged a location fee, but she told me that policy has always been in place.)

Unconfirmed hearsay... I have no proof of this, but I heard from my brother-in-law's cousin's girlfriend's mom's dentis that sometimes people get tickets for commercial photography without a permit.