Need some advise on how to improve these portraits please

[D.P.]

I would really put the flash aside for the time being and concentrate on good compositions using natural light.

Flashes can be used to create great portraits but it is a difficult skill and you just aren't there yet ith your compositions and understand of light. Try to simplify your work flow so you can work on improving individual aspects of your work.

Get out in the evening light and work at your compositions. Once you have a grip of that in a few months then maybe try to bring the flash back into the equation. And if you are not doing anything professionally then there is no need to try to use a flash to improve lighting, just wait until you have a day with nice lighting and go to a nice location to get your family portraits.

 

[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

 

[Sh4rkie]

Might be worth picking up some books to have a read through, i'd highly recommend buying "Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera" as a good start as. Covers a lot of information and is an excellent read, something i go back to time and again.

 

[King Damager]

Completely agree, put the flash aside, if you have to use one, get some kind of softbox (even a cheap plastic flash reducing thing )

kd

 

[shaggyd]

Your picture no.3 works for me. You can see how well the natural light makes the eyes stand out and soften the texture on the skin. But also the portrait blends in with the background lighting. Personally, I don't like using a flash unless my family portraits are indoors (even then I try to use window lighting as much as I can). But also like evrybody say, you can learn a lot about composition, lighting and exposure if you can keep it as natural as possible.

 

[theheyes]

Natural light can look just as crappy as flash - it just depends on the situation. Still, I think there is some sense in going back to basics and focusing on just ambient light + reflector.