family portraits.

[cvalene]

Hitting low confidence lately. Struggling with these photos. Anyone care to help with any post-processing that can save them? Thank you, Cherese.

[rockpics]

Don't know if this is what you had in mind, but on this one I lightened the midtones with the middle levels slider, and then increased contrast with the contrast/brightness slider to compensate for the lower contrast you get when you lighten midtones. I couldn't tell if the photo needed sharpening because of its small size, but I did apply a smidge of smart sharpen. Then I cropped to 8x10.

[rockpics]

Here's another one with the same treatment. I also moved the highlights slider to the left in this one.

[bryanlindsey]

Ouch.

I would say to be more deliberate with your posing. This is easier said than done with kids, so make sure you move them in last.

Use longer shutter speeds to let in some ambient light. Your subjects are static so along with a tripod and a flash you could go down to 1/20 or 1/15.

FWIW

[carrbowl]

When it comes to posing, one simple thing my brother taught me is to allow a connection between the people is to use their hands to connect each other somehow. By holding hands, putting a hand on a shoulder, putting a hand just above someone's elbow, etc. For example, the last photo of Mom and Dad in white with the two kids. If Dad put his right hand on mom's shoulder and mom put her left hand on the boys left shoulder it would "connect" them in the photo...makes a huge difference. Very simple to do once everyone is in place.

Even when you have a large group, you have to be able to take the time to pose them...let all the adults get in and get posed while an adult lets the kids do their thing, then bring the kids in at the last minute and know exactly where you are going to put them.

But I have to say, the exposure is probably your biggest issue for now...it must be lighter. I don't mean to be negative, just helpful!!! : ) If you don't know how to make that happen, ask someone in the area to help....there are lots of people on here that would take an hour or two to help you. good luck and don't stop posting, you will get better!!!

[Flores]

I'll pick a nit...

dark/no hair with such a dark backdrop means their head just blends into the background... :(

(I had this problem a lot when I started trying).

so you either need to light them from behind somehow, (if you want to keep the dark background), or use a different background.

here is an example, dark hair, dark background, but I have the sun lighting the hair...