Beach portraits

[OBie]

Hi all. I haven't really attempted portraits in the past, but I really like these two of my daughters at the beach. No special lighting setup, just sunlight and my D50. Since I'm on a steep learning curve with digital, I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[Coastal Flyer]

Who wouldn't like these of your daughters on the beach? Beautiful girls, congrats. I have one of my own, if I say so myself. For natural lighting which can be so harsh/hard to control I think you did great.

CF

[OBie]

Who wouldn't like these of your daughters on the beach? Beautiful girls, congrats. I have one of my own, if I say so myself. For natural lighting which can be so harsh/hard to control I think you did great.

CF

Thanks CF. The first one was afternoon sun - I was surprised at how well the camera handled it!

[Seb]

Hi all. I haven't really attempted portraits in the past, but I really like these two of my daughters at the beach. No special lighting setup, just sunlight and my D50. Since I'm on a steep learning curve with digital, I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

I think that the first one (colors) is very well executed. I am less interested by the second one as it seems a little flat and I think that your flash was a little too harsh. I am not sure if you can adjust the strenght of the flash on the D50 but I believe it would worth to give it a try.

Seb

[OBie]

I think that the first one (colors) is very well executed. I am less interested by the second one as it seems a little flat and I think that your flash was a little too harsh. I am not sure if you can adjust the strenght of the flash on the D50 but I believe it would worth to give it a try.

Seb

Thanks, Seb. I think the only control I have over the built-in flash is to set it to 'rear', which makes a big difference indoors, but I haven't seen much of a difference as a fill flash outdoors. I thought that one was a bit flat as well - and I'm not sure how to get better tones.

[Ronnoco]

I don't think that basic portraiture technique is very well understood in this forum!

Although both shots display problems, in this case the black and white is best. The reason is that in portraiture, the eyes and the area around the eyes are most important, and that area is handled better in the black and white shot than in the colour shot. Creases around the eyes are a problem.

Ronnoco

[OBie]

I don't think that basic portraiture technique is very well understood in this forum!

Although both shots display problems, in this case the black and white is best. The reason is that in portraiture, the eyes and the area around the eyes are most important, and that area is handled better in the black and white shot than in the colour shot. Creases around the eyes are a problem.

Ronnoco

Good point. The eyes are clear and detailed in the BW, and you can't see them in the color, which I saw as a potential problem area as well. Thanks for the input.

[Seb]

I don't think that basic portraiture technique is very well understood in this forum!

Although both shots display problems, in this case the black and white is best. The reason is that in portraiture, the eyes and the area around the eyes are most important, and that area is handled better in the black and white shot than in the colour shot. Creases around the eyes are a problem.

Ronnoco

Speaking for myself, I prefer the first one simply because I find it more moody and I consider that the lighting is more appealing. That being said, I'd be curious to hear your take on both of them in depth. Quite frankly, I think that referring to potential issues without actually discussing them is just a little too easy.

regards

Seb

[realworld]

the D50 does allow you to control the strength of the flash but not while you're in auto...

Read the manual but basically you press the flash button on the front side of the camera and then press the exposure + - button simultaneously and then slide the black rotate button ... (hope im making sense)

[OBie]

the D50 does allow you to control the strength of the flash but not while you're in auto...

Read the manual but basically you press the flash button on the front side of the camera and then press the exposure + - button simultaneously and then slide the black rotate button ... (hope im making sense)

I had no idea! Maybe that class about my camera would be a good idea . . .

I try not to shoot in auto, so it can be done. Must experiment soon.

Thanks realworld!

[ladybugamanda]

[QUOTE=OBie]I had no idea! Maybe that class about my camera would be a good idea . . .

I wish there was a class about MY camera!!! It would sure speed up the learning process. I think they are great shots - all things considered. Beautiful girls, by the way! :thumbsup:

[OBie]

I wish there was a class about MY camera!!! It would sure speed up the learning process. I think they are great shots - all things considered. Beautiful girls, by the way! :thumbsup:

Thanks ladybugmanda! You may be amazed at what your camera can do that you're not aware of - why not check in with the local camera store? Mine are with Wolf/Ritz camera - before I bought the camera, I didn't even know they HAD classes!

[Alison]

GB - overexposed?
It looked to me like the exposure was fine to be honest. Maybe that's why I am getting things wrong. Overexposed to me means blown out areas. I don't see any on her skin and her skin tones look absolutely gorgeous to me.

I love the first shot. She has a coy look to her pose.
The composition needs a little work. For example learning the rule of thirds will help you enormously in portraiture. It has helped me so much since I learnt it.

But like you say, you haven't really attempted portraits in the past. You did a GREAT job with these IMO.

[GB1]

OBie - Hey where did you shoot them, outer banks? If so, any more shots of that area?

I like the shots; they're good - but not great - beach shots. The top one works best for me because of the nice color of her and the water. But somehow, it seems a little overexposed to me, like maybe the sun was too bright and she is slightly squinting?? It could also use a bit more contrast, but I think the reason it is a tad flat in the regard is because the angle of the light on her.

The bottom shot is good from a portraiture angle, but to me it is normally disappointing to see a shot like this in B&W. Maybe it's just me, but I want to see the colors you showed in the first shot. (Sort of like a B&W sunset shot - it's not what I get, but what I know I'm missing.) Also, the top of her head being clipped is distracting. Good smile, but I would like to see another of her with her lips together, just to contrast them.

GB

[OBie]

OBie - Hey where did you shoot them, outer banks? If so, any more shots of that area?

We were at Garden City Beach, just south of Myrtle Beach and MUCH quieter and more peaceful! I did take a morning trip to Huntington Beach State Park just below Murrell's Inlet and had a great time shooting the wildlife there - those are in the Nature forum.

I like the shots; they're good - but not great - beach shots. The top one works best for me because of the nice color of her and the water. But somehow, it seems a little overexposed to me, like maybe the sun was too bright and she is slightly squinting?? It could also use a bit more contrast, but I think the reason it is a tad flat in the regard is because the angle of the light on her.

It was very bright that day. (We had great weather ). I was chasing all of the kids around just trying to grab a nice shot to have. I prefer spontaneous pics of kids. Even though they knew I was shooting, I was able to get some natural smiles, which I love. Definitely lots of squinting going on.

The comment about how the picture is flat due to the angle of light (or that there is too much of it?) - is exactly what I need to learn from. Although my untrained eye wouldn't see most of what the professionals would, I'm trying to learn.

The bottom shot is good from a portraiture angle, but to me it is normally disappointing to see a shot like this in B&W. Maybe it's just me, but I want to see the colors you showed in the first shot. (Sort of like a B&W sunset shot - it's not what I get, but what I know I'm missing.) Also, the top of her head being clipped is distracting. Good smile, but I would like to see another of her with her lips together, just to contrast them.

Below is the original (unretouched) version of the BW. I'm open to thoughts, ideas, etc.

Thanks GB.

[OBie]

Thanks Alison - that means a lot coming from you. You have such great shots of your kids.

Maybe I have to actually start 'thinking' before I shoot . . .