Still working for free

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"]<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;"]These shots were taken for the neighbor and I would appreciate any feedback+/-. I don&rsquo;t mind doing work for the experience but at some point I need to be able to start paying for this passion of mine.


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Canon 5D MKII, 24-105 lens, f6.3, 1/25 shutter speed, ISO 320 focal length 105mm, no flash


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Canon 5D MKII, 24-105mm lens, f13, 1/125 shutter speed, focal length 105mm, with flash


Thanks


David

I like the first shot best. The second shot looks underexposed and there is the distracting pole behind the boy's head. Why did you shoot at f13?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EdN

I like the first shot best.

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Agreed. Nice, fun pose in number 1. Good focus and DOF change with the leaves make this an attention grabbing shot. The second doesn't really do anything for me. Seems more like a snap shot than a portrait asyou cannot see what he is doing witheither hand or his feet. From what I understand, traditional 3/4 shots are done from mid thigh up rather than mid shin. If it were me, and I was taking shots ofa kid playing on a Jungle gym which I imagine is what he is on, I would try to get full body shots of him that include a little ofthe structure to cluethe viewer in on where he is, or his age and playful nature.


Keep in mind that I am not a professional and this is my humble opinion/two cents. Good luck, and keepcranking them out. Youdefinitely have the tools to make it happen. (If onlyI could afford a 5dmkII.)


Regards,


Dave.

I like the color in the first image, but the nearly-centered composition and "looking down on the subject" viewing angle is not to my taste. Have you considered a tighter crop? Rule of thirds perhaps? I also suggest trying to get down to the subject's level for a more pleasing angle.

And of course, I'll have to note that the lighting on the second image isn't very natural-looking either. When it comes to onboard flash, my general rule is "no." The reason is simple--how often do you view the world with a bright light emanating from your forehead?


Might I suggest off-camera lighting in a situation such as that? I don't have many pictures of kids, but here's a few:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/...31b9d69681.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/...07a8e265f6.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/...1e0e6d0028.jpg


The above three pictures were shot using an off-camera flash. The picture below was ambient only, however, there was a very large window camera-right providing the large, soft light source highlighting her face.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/...585ceacd3f.jpg

Sean I know how youfeel. BTW, very nice images, don't lose sight or hope, it will eventually pay off.