Studio photos Comments please

[kcmocopper]

I have started to do more studio work and will be in the studio more and more when I start getting all my new equipment. I took these photos last night of my wife and kids and was wanting to get any feedback, critisism, or tips so I can get better at lighting, posing, etc. Thanks

http://www.swpoa.com/Jake&Tammi.jpg

[lightwrangler]

A pleasant portrait of the two. I would try to get a catchlight in the eyes of the young man, much like you have in the woman's eyes. This would mean moving the main light down a bit. I would reccomend that you use a soft reflector on the opposite side from the main light to open up the shadow area a bit, although what you have isn't bad. The forground fabric that the boy is leaning on should be darker, it draws the viewer's eye and the background could stand a small light towards the bottom to add a bit more dimension. In this kind of pose you need the upper person to be leaning on the lower one but not to the point of putting a lot of weight on them, really they should just be touching. The boy looks like he's supporting the woman a bit too much and this gives a sort of compressed look. He's squashing his face somewhat on his hands. The woman's left hand should be open, rather than clenched, since this would convey a more relaxed mood.

I've been really picky here, I hope you take it as friendly criticism. I like the shot as it sits but I do feel there is room for improvement.

[GCertain]

Is it me (stigmatizm), my screen or is the picture suffering from some serious distortion???

[t.hanz]

I agree with Lightwranglers comments, all were qualified statements. I would also consider your framing, most of your customers will want to buy prints in the standard sizes, 8x10 - 5x7 - etc (if you're lucky maybe even 16x20). The framing on this particular shot might be a little too tight to crop to a standard size. I like tight crops, of the face myself, but many of my customers chose more conventional poses.

Just a thought.

[kcmocopper]

Thanks for the comments. I will be taking more photos this weekend and try the suggestions I have received from you guys. Here is another one. I really don't like the pose from my wife because of how her head is tilted and her hand but other than that I think it cam out pretty good. Again any comments or suggestions.



http://www.swpoa.com/Brooke&Tammi.jpg

[raidertek]

Hand is too big in the frame. I never like to see a hand larger than the face in a portrait. Keep it behind the chin. Keep shooting that is how we improve.