You just keep doin' it. "What photography was invented for."Here are a few more shots from a shoot I did for a friend this weekend and her rapidly aging much beloved dog. We wanted to make memories (and good photographs). I see a focus problem in #3 though I still like the shot. Overall, did I succeed?
She just posted on fb: "I'm a total softy...but I cried when I saw these I'm at a loss to describe your talent in a word that is unique and describes you and your ability as I feel when I saw these."
That's what I wanted and that's why I do this. One of my friends told me this morning that my pictures are about LOVE capital letters pure and simple. Either the love between my subjects or the love I have for my subjects. If that's who I am as a photographer, I think that's pretty cool, and my sister, who was overflowing with love, would be really proud of me.
... Overall, did I succeed?
There are several issues that could be raised regarding these images.
But if your friend is happy with the photos, and if she remains your friend, then, yes, you have "succeeded".
There are several issues that could be raised regarding these images.
But if your friend is happy with the photos, and if she remains your friend, then, yes, you have "succeeded".
Ken! You've been awfully quiet for a very long time. I was wondering when you'd chime in. I'm already aware of some of the awkward framing and crops (still learning to use that 135L and my other prime, the 85). I know I need to work on that. I am interested in hearing what the other problems are. Thanks as always. I know you'll give me clear and fair feedback.
OK, Sydney. Here are the elements that really leaped at me upon the first 10-20 seconds viewing these images. They're mostly concerning avoidable distractions.
1. The woman's attire seems out of character for the nature of the scene. She appears dressed for a public viewing, but the nature of the image is a memento of pet companionship in a homey, familiar comfortable setting. Denim shirt and jeans would have been far less distracting and would have better emphasized the emotional focus of the scene.
2. Your backgrounds! Far too busy, far too saturated, far too contrasty. Every shot has loud, saturated colors and/or strong forms. Big mistake. Remember, humans immediately glom onto STRONG FORMS, followed by STRONG COLOR. That means that I took note of the backgrounds and the woman's dress long before I noticed she was petting a (uncolorful) dog.
3. Gesture. The third image is the strongest. Good eye shine in the dog, nice expression on the woman. But as with any portraiture sitting, it's the humans that cause the trouble <g>. This woman does not appear at all comfortable. Too much mugging, too much awareness of the camera, not enough involvement with the real subject, the dog. Nearly every top photographer (I've met) who shoots portraiture remarks that it takes time and skill to get your (human) subject comfortable. Off-hand, if this series in chronological order, I'd say that you might have quit just as things were getting good.
Just my thoughts for your consideration, Sydney.
Just a very quick, rough sketch of an incarnation of some of my suggestions for your consideration.
What I did:
- I (obviously) de-saturated and blurred the background, greatly exaggerated for illustration here. I recommend background blurring via basic photo techniques, rather than using the synthetic sentimental vignetting I used here. An 85mm - 100mm lens with a large aperture, and pulling the subject far from the background, will do the trick.
I'd also recommend using some off-cam lights in such a location. Two small flashes, plus one reflector, should do the job nicely: one off frame-left as the key light, one above and behind the subjects as a soft hair light, and a reflector low and off frame right to control contrast. But applying a +1/3 exposure/brightness compensation to the lighting you'll also be able to further pull the subjects away from the background using a luminance difference. (Page through biz and news mags, as this is a favorite quick trick for snappers in a hurry.)
- I also de-saturated the woman's dress and adjusted your white balance. (It looked a little too orange from here.)
- As a final step I used a levels adjustment (with mask) to accentuate the dog's expression. Specifically, I -slightly- brightened the eye shine and -slightly- brightened the inflection points of the doggy smile (mouth corner and tongue).
That the client prefers a particular location for an environmental portrait is fine to the extent that it makes them feel more relaxed for the shoot. But the photo tech decisions are yours, as you're the one who's relied upon to be able to envision the final result possibilities.
Overall, though, I think you did fine, Sydney. We all strive to do "finer" or to learn new tricks.