Need some advise on how to improve these portraits please

[willy]

Not sure if i can start a thread like this but I'm practising on how to do some flash photography and need some comments to improve it in the future, thanks

Just as well my other half and my daughter quite patient even though we were all covered with some midgies bites!!!

1. I think i could tone down the flash a notch as not quite soft?

DSC_0905 by willykatie, on Flickr

2.

DSC_0916 by willykatie, on Flickr

3. No Flash

DSC_0913 by willykatie, on Flickr

4.

DSC_0918 by willykatie, on Flickr

5. Could do with reflectors on the right i think

DSC_0920 by willykatie, on Flickr

6. Had to crop this one as she moved and her legs got cut off :thumbsdow

DSC_0923 by willykatie, on Flickr

7. She was fed up so that was the last picture :hiya:

DSC_0919 by willykatie, on Flickr

Thanks

 

[willy]

Thank you all for the advise.

I'm going to to take some pictures again tomorrow and I had a read about the rule of third in portraits and going to read some more again today I still have a lot to learn on how to do portrait and also been watching some videos online by joe mcnally, zack arias how they handle flash and good and balance the flash with ambient light etc.

At the moment only doing off camera I-ttl flash as not sure on how to do manual as only have the flash for couple of days

Had the same camera about 3 years ago and had to sell it a year after because of some circumstances and to be honest that was the hardest thing for me to sell but since then I keep reading about photography and always my main interest especially in portrait/people. I do take some other pictures but want to improve it more in portrait.

Umbrella, tripod bracket and 5 in 1 reflectors is the next thing on my list as I have cheap hama tripod from years ago and need decent tripod now so I thought I could just use the tripod as the light stand.

I know that soft box more directional than umbrella but is it more practical when out and about? Any recommendations on which soft box to get?

Thanks again and this is why I keep coming back to this forum as people are always helpful

 

[willy]

If you plan to family stuff it's probably a waste of money tbh.
It doesn't matter how good the lighting or composition is if they look like this.

Lol . Yeah she was fed up with the midgies bites an was tired as well.

In terms of getting your family to pose, I'd offer a few more tips as well because its difficult with people who aren't professional models who know what to do.

Number 5 is more natural because they aren't trying as hard to pose for the camera and as a result coming off awkward. So what you want to do is try and catch them off guard and take your shot. One of the best ways of doing this is to get them to laugh, say something really stupid or funny to get a reaction, then capture that moment.

Thanks. I know is kinda hard when they're not feeling up to it and I still want to take some pictures lol.

My plan is practise and more practise and more practise with family first and then hopefully I could take picture of friends and some other people in the future.

Thanks

 

[willy]

Thanks guys for the advise.

Been reading a lot about the rule of third and have better understanding about it now. Also been practising using different random objects lol.

Will take some more pictures this week and post them up here again.

Thanks