Take a look at my pics, and help me if you want [Archive]

opulence

11-19-2005, 06:45 PM

Hi everyone,

A long time ago I made my first post on here with some nice candid shots I took not long after picking up my first D-SLR. Since then I've been shooting here and there, but I've still never had any formal training or classes in photography. I am thinking of opening a solo girl paysite pretty soon, and I'm currently shooting the content myself, but I am quite unsure of myself. I'm going to post up a whole ton of pictures that I took and if you could critique it (as badly as you'd like) and give me some advice on how I could improve, I'd appreciate it. I'll start right from our first test shoot, to some of the actual content we've shot thus far.

I'm using a Canon Digital Rebel XT with this lighting equipment: www.alienbees.com/busy.html my lens is a stock 18-55mm. Model just turned 18 on Oct 29th.

First test shoot, this was just using the Camera's flash, was told she's wearing too much makeup!
http://i25.imagethrust.com/p/50899/test1_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/50900/test2_jpg.html
http://i21.imagethrust.com/p/50901/test3_jpg.html
http://i30.imagethrust.com/p/50902/test4_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/50903/test5_jpg.html
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/50919/test6_jpg.html
http://i29.imagethrust.com/p/50920/test7_jpg.html
http://i26.imagethrust.com/p/50921/test8_jpg.html
http://i30.imagethrust.com/p/50922/test9_jpg.html
http://i21.imagethrust.com/p/50923/test10_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/50957/test11_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/50958/test12_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/50959/test13_jpg.html
http://i26.imagethrust.com/p/50960/test14_jpg.html

Second test shoot, also just using the camera's flash, people liked these shots a bit better though:
http://i30.imagethrust.com/p/51722/testt20_jpg.html
http://i23.imagethrust.com/p/51721/testt19_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/51720/testt18_jpg.html
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/51719/testt17_jpg.html
http://i21.imagethrust.com/p/51718/testt16_jpg.html
http://i26.imagethrust.com/p/51723/testt15_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/51724/test15_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/51725/testt14_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/51726/testt13_jpg.html
http://i29.imagethrust.com/p/51727/testt12_jpg.html
http://i21.imagethrust.com/p/51733/testt11_jpg.html
http://i30.imagethrust.com/p/51734/testt10_jpg.html
http://i30.imagethrust.com/p/51735/testt9_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/51736/testt8_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/51737/testt7_jpg.html
http://i25.imagethrust.com/p/51740/testt6_jpg.html
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/51741/testt5_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/51742/testt4_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/51743/testt3_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/51744/testt2_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/51750/testt1_jpg.html

First real shoot! We did this in a studio... but people didn't like the cheesy backgrounds, I put the softbox right in the middle (hooked up to the flash), an umbrella on each side (mainly against the background) (without dummy sync cord so it flashes as well) and the spotlight aiming at the ground.
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/69353/pp6_jpg.html
http://i26.imagethrust.com/p/69354/pp7_jpg.html
http://i21.imagethrust.com/p/69355/pp8_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/69356/pp9_jpg.html
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/69357/pp10_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/69358/pp11_jpg.html
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/69360/pp12_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/69361/pp13_jpg.html
http://i29.imagethrust.com/p/69362/pp14_jpg.html
http://i25.imagethrust.com/p/69363/pp15_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/69364/pp16_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/69365/pp17_jpg.html
http://i30.imagethrust.com/p/69366/pp18_jpg.html
http://i25.imagethrust.com/p/69367/pp19_jpg.html
http://i29.imagethrust.com/p/69368/pp20_jpg.html
http://i29.imagethrust.com/p/69369/pp21_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/69370/pp22_jpg.html
http://i25.imagethrust.com/p/69350/pp3_jpg.html
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/69351/pp4_jpg.html
http://i25.imagethrust.com/p/69352/pp5_jpg.html

Second real shoot, this was taken in her house, so that the backgrounds look more realistic:
This is in her room, only used 2 heads, one with umbrella + flash on right side, and just a spotlight on the left side (without dummy sync cord so it flashes as well) :
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/76362/pwp_jpg.html
http://i29.imagethrust.com/p/76363/pwp2_jpg.html
http://i28.imagethrust.com/p/76364/pwp3_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/76365/pwp4_jpg.html
http://i24.imagethrust.com/p/76366/pwp5_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/76369/pwp6_jpg.html
http://i26.imagethrust.com/p/76370/pwp7_jpg.html

This is in her bath, with just 1 flash/head spotlight:
http://i29.imagethrust.com/p/77848/pwpb_jpg.html
http://i26.imagethrust.com/p/77850/pwpb3_jpg.html
http://i27.imagethrust.com/p/77874/pwpb4_jpg.html
http://i22.imagethrust.com/p/77852/pwpb5_jpg.html
http://i23.imagethrust.com/p/77856/pwpb6_jpg.html

mate68

11-19-2005, 07:25 PM

For sure ... the lady is cute ...
But ... I think ... what is candid at these shots??

indy_panty

11-19-2005, 07:33 PM

ditto mate68.. it looks more like a promotion to a website...but that's my 2 cents! Bottom line, even with crappy photography (which this is not) guys will visit if the chick is hot (she is) --IP

opulence

11-19-2005, 07:50 PM

The site isn't even up yet and I'm not even going to use any of those names I watermarked the pics with, it's not candid photography, I am just looking for help with my photography.

Someone else said "to improve your shots set your camera a full stop open." I'm not even sure what this means

Pixelated

11-19-2005, 08:56 PM

Candid? I don't think so. Wrong site, Op

opulence

11-19-2005, 08:59 PM

Candid? I don't think so. Wrong site, Op

Sorry, I know the pictures aren't candid, just asking for advice.

CC

11-19-2005, 10:30 PM

i dont understand the first set.....especially the shadows.....were you using additional lights? as the canons flash is on the center..know what i mean? shadows ruin images.

the rest are decent..nothing uber spectacular....

its nice you have someone to practice on...

i had one girl i took 8000 picture of before i decided i cant shoot for shit..lol...but im getting better.

you really have to practice, practice some more, and then repractice.

these images are Not candid, but since its the thankgiving season, and some of us being generous with our replies, and since you did consider us for help, im not having a problem at this time with this post, although im speaking for myself.

its funny too..i know many candid shooters that went on to be model photogs and you are the reverse...lol

again,,we are a candid board and perhaps, you might try some other places ( not sure if you have)

we really hate to go off topic here as it ruins the topicishness of the board....

we'll see what the rest of the staff here have to say...

( im on a typing frenzy tonight BTW...lol)

Vitahappy

11-20-2005, 02:12 AM

is that all one girl? i cant really tell. i like that first set the most. that's all i can really say. just keep shootin and it'll get better:)

Bootyluver#1

11-20-2005, 07:33 AM

one thing no one has said, get rid of that damn lens...you need to step it up a lil man

opulence

11-20-2005, 02:23 PM

i dont understand the first set.....especially the shadows.....were you using additional lights? as the canons flash is on the center..know what i mean? shadows ruin images.

the rest are decent..nothing uber spectacular....

its nice you have someone to practice on...

i had one girl i took 8000 picture of before i decided i cant shoot for shit..lol...but im getting better.

you really have to practice, practice some more, and then repractice.

these images are Not candid, but since its the thankgiving season, and some of us being generous with our replies, and since you did consider us for help, im not having a problem at this time with this post, although im speaking for myself.

its funny too..i know many candid shooters that went on to be model photogs and you are the reverse...lol

again,,we are a candid board and perhaps, you might try some other places ( not sure if you have)

we really hate to go off topic here as it ruins the topicishness of the board....

we'll see what the rest of the staff here have to say...

( im on a typing frenzy tonight BTW...lol)

Thanks, I've done a bit of candid photography and that's why I asked on this board... I'm mainly a webmaster and I'm just trying to learn more about photography.

Assman

11-20-2005, 03:37 PM

This just about sums up my opinion:

"The main problem is the lighting and the terrible setting for this photos..."

This is out of my area of expertise, but it looks as if you have enough stuff there to do it properly - you just need to know how to use it.

May I suggest a visit to http://www.photography-on-the.net which has a lot of people who will be able to give you specific advice on position of lighting elements.

Also, while the kit lens is probably OK for these style of shots, you may want to look into getting a cheap 50mm prime portrait lens.

seemaya

11-20-2005, 06:30 PM

did you take these pics?

toBot

11-20-2005, 11:27 PM

Someone else said "to improve your shots set your camera a full stop open." I'm not even sure what this means

They're refering to the aperture aka F stop that you're using, open it up by a whole digit (a full stop), like from F7.0 to F6.0. Don't know why they said this though.

Assman

11-26-2005, 07:06 AM

They're refering to the aperture aka F stop that you're using, open it up by a whole digit (a full stop), like from F7.0 to F6.0. Don't know why they said this though.

I would imagine it'd reduce the depth of field slightly and draw more attention to the model. Can't think of any other reason.

Taken to an extreme but still usable level here:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b60/Dark_Orange/Temp/portrait.jpg

That was taken at F2.0

Master

02-25-2006, 05:13 PM

Besides light quality, in the pics I saw the composition is classic and acceptable.

Stone22

03-02-2006, 02:46 PM

Are you using an external flash? like the 550ex or 580? I think if you bounched that off the ceiling and put a diffuser on the head you'd have much bettter shots..

Not candids, but at least you're asking for advice and an opinion....If you're in Vancouver or BC send me an IM...

parisBoy

03-03-2006, 07:22 AM

You've got dust on your sensor (or it could be on your lens). :(

52692

blash

03-05-2006, 08:20 PM

As others said if you want to open a site you have to show stuff that can not be seen on every corner. I have the same camera as you have but with a bigger lense and i really like it but i would never use it for a commercial project. I guess its good for practise but not for a professional photog. ;)