I need feedback on a family portrait I shot

[natatbeach]

Close friends are leaving soon and they wanted a family shot...we were supposed to meet at 6pm and ended up meeting closer to eight(7:40 ish)...had to be at the beach... I'm still having a hard time figuring out the flash thing on the D70...so here it is...thoughts please. Thnaks in advance for any critiques since they will all be helpful in some form or another.

applied a diffuse glow ( I just prefer it) and increased the contrast, and removed two blemishes and a fence....manual setting white balance set to cloudy (since I didn't know what to pick) ISO 400, f/11, 1/500th with fill flash....

[opus]

I think if I were you I'd increase the saturation a bit. Not toooo much, but just bump it up a bit to make the sunset pop a little more.

Otherwise I like it!

[villenadecorte]

Nat, I love this shot, but the left side is throwing it off (to me atleast). I think it is because you are allowing room for his extended leg... which looks fine if you're looking there, but as your eyes travel upwards, it looks ublanaced in comparison to the right side.
(does that even make sense?)
I think the shot is great- the light is great, and the sun setting is a sentimental touch.
Way to go

VD

I think if I were you I'd increase the saturation a bit. Not toooo much, but just bump it up a bit to make the sunset pop a little more.

Otherwise I like it!

[mikehulsebus]

Can't say I've got a lot of know-how on these type of long exposure shots, but the family seems pretty white, likes its all flash doing the lighting. Next time, try some shots with a longer exposure so that the family can be lit partially by the flash, and partially by the ambient light. The current situation relies too much on the flash for light. Just make sure you don't use toooo slow a shutter speed lest their small movements blur their faces and make sure that you tell them not to move until you say, otherwise they'll unpose once they see the flash go off.

[Chunk]

Close friends are leaving soon and they wanted a family shot...we were supposed to meet at 6pm and ended up meeting closer to eight(7:40 ish)...had to be at the beach... I'm still having a hard time figuring out the flash thing on the D70...so here it is...thoughts please. Thnaks in advance for any critiques since they will all be helpful in some form or another.

applied a diffuse glow ( I just prefer it) and increased the contrast, and removed two blemishes and a fence....manual setting white balance set to cloudy (since I didn't know what to pick) ISO 400, f/11, 1/500th with fill flash....

I probably shouldn't comment since people pictures aren't something I do that well but I have to agree with the comment about the left side being a distraction. The leg seems to call attention away from the family. Since the purpose of the shot is the family portrait it seems better to have them fill more of the frame. Don't know if you have enough resolution to use this tight of a crop. Maybe burn in the lower left corner a bit to make the light denim less distracting.
The family should be extremely happy with this shot. The flash lighting has them all well exposed and identifiable. If this were some arty shot rather than to be for family portrait purposes the strong flash might not be as good a choice, but I think you made the right decision in this case.

[natatbeach]

I see what you all mean I used levels to "tone down" the look of the flash and cropped somewhat...(all off of the webready version I posted---so it's looking a little rough) and I darkened the area by his pants...is this a little less glaring and a bit more "natural"?

Thanks for the encouraging words and the input it really helped me to see it differently...

[Chunk]

I see what you all mean I used levels to "tone down" the look of the flash and cropped somewhat...(all off of the webready version I posted---so it's looking a little rough) and I darkened the area by his pants...is this a little less glaring and a bit more "natural"?

Thanks for the encouraging words and the input it really helped me to see it differently...

The levels adjustment really helped on their faces. Don't go overboard on the darkening or it looks un-natural. They'll love it. Nice work.

[adina]

This is nice, they all look comfortable, which usually helps a lot. And your background is great.

Since this was a planned thing, I'd have mentioned clothing in advance. The stripes and the floral are a little much. I'm not saying they all should have been in matching outfits, but solid colors probably would have worked a little better. Or in the same color family, maybe.

Of course there are some people who prefer to wear something busy, it's who they are. I probably couldn't get a photo of my dad not wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt.

adina

[Lava Lamp]

Close friends are leaving soon and they wanted a family shot...we were supposed to meet at 6pm and ended up meeting closer to eight(7:40 ish)...had to be at the beach... I'm still having a hard time figuring out the flash thing on the D70...so here it is...thoughts please. Thnaks in advance for any critiques since they will all be helpful in some form or another.

applied a diffuse glow ( I just prefer it) and increased the contrast, and removed two blemishes and a fence....manual setting white balance set to cloudy (since I didn't know what to pick) ISO 400, f/11, 1/500th with fill flash....

I think the most immediate improvement you could make for next time is to get them all in solid-colored clothing - the same color if possible. I've seen a lot of white shirt with jeans photos that look nice and chances are everyone has that combination. The second thing I'd work on is the posing - find something you like in a book or magazine and bring it with you as a guide.

[bobbythebandit]

I see what you all mean I used levels to "tone down" the look of the flash and cropped somewhat...(all off of the webready version I posted---so it's looking a little rough) and I darkened the area by his pants...is this a little less glaring and a bit more "natural"?

Thanks for the encouraging words and the input it really helped me to see it differently...

Better.And what a nice group of people they are. Lokk really happy at this moment in time.
Bobby

[jcharris]

Hello Natalie ,

I think the cropping on this one is much better .
I like this photo for , it is a great family moment that is captured .
and the beautifull background you have chosen .
Great work !

Greetings
james

[natatbeach]

they are very colorful people...i could have never imposed anything as solid colors...lol

they all came from different locations(jobs and such) to make it to this shot...but I see what everyone means. comments and suggestions---definitely something to think about for non friends and other potential clients...

Thnaks all for looking and I appreciate your input

[villenadecorte]

Looks great!
VD

they are very colorful people...i could have never imposed anything as solid colors...lol

they all came from different locations(jobs and such) to make it to this shot...but I see what everyone means. comments and suggestions---definitely something to think about for non friends and other potential clients...

Thnaks all for looking and I appreciate your input

[mikehulsebus]

Wow, really like what you've done with editing on this, very nice--wouldn't think you could so easily improve it