amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

tikva18 · 11-04-2009, 10:12 PM

Thanks for bearing with me. I used natural light (from a window) and adjusted the levels more manually than before. I'm concerned that the last picture of the two of them has brown overtones...

I also can't get this picture to show up larger

bubbles · 11-04-2009, 10:31 PM

I don't know enough to give you any cc on the photos but I will say that they are adorable! I think you go some great shots of the twins.

eyesoftheworld · 11-04-2009, 10:39 PM

They are SO SO SO cute!! Good job!

TulaneMama · 11-04-2009, 11:29 PM

no CC here as I do not know enough but I think that you did a fabulous job! What stinkers! I can see it in their eyes

tracey · 11-05-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tikva18

Thanks for bearing with me. I used natural light (from a window) and adjusted the levels more manually than before. I'm concerned that the last picture of the two of them has brown overtones...

the angle at which this was shot is a bit uncomfortable. there are hot spots (small) on his cheeks which could be exposure or could be editing. something about the pose is uncomfortable though...the way he is leaning maybe? not sure. i think i'd like to see it more straight on to their face, not from above. above is great for adults to minimize chins, not for kids.

pink tones (i'm calibrated) but i like this front-on composition. typically we don't center things in photography but it works here. i wish there were catch-lights in her eyes...window behind you would do that, i think.

blown background, forehead, cheek and nose...could be editing, could be exposure, but you did it in the first one too on him, so i wonder? again, composition on him is key...needs to be straight on, not him looking up. makes his forehead more prominent, like it's coming out of the photo. try not to center their eyes...most of these are eye-centered in the image. look up the "rule of thirds" and try to apply it to your compositions.

again, hot spots on his head, face and backdrop. love the catch lights in his eyes. composition is centered though...

CUTE as a button! love the composition...slightly out of focus but otherwise EXCELLENT.
I also can't get this picture to show up larger

this one is not brownish, it's overexposed or over edited. hot spots all over the place. she's coming at the camera, can't see him as well. i think maybe they were done?

ok i put my cc in red. you asked for it

i'm kind of hard on photographs but i try to be honest when it's requested. my biggest criticisms, in order, would be:
exposure on him
composition (centered eyes, centered subjects-will always look snapshotish if you center portraits like this)
color balance (inconsistent which may be calibration but not sure

you're improving! good job!

tikva18 · 11-05-2009, 01:28 AM

Thanks Tracey! The window was behind me, but the light didn't stay as long as I would like - it keeps getting cloudier and cloudier and then poof -no sun at all. The twins, well, Tehila, was less than cooperative. I could not get her to hold still therefore they kept tipping over. I was practically laying on the floor to get these - had them sitting on the floor, but will try next time - haha, poor kids - to be lower. I am tryiing to pay attention to the rule of thirds, but they are speedy little buggers and I was trying to catch them still. I knew some were over exposed, but thought they might still be okay. I've got to go over the colors on that picture again - I'm spending a fair amount of time practicing adjusting colors - to the detriment of housework - LOL.

I really appreciate your critique.

Canon_Girl · 11-05-2009, 03:22 AM

Gosh they're so cute!!

I honestly think your biggest issue is white balance. Is the camera on auto white balance (AWB)?

Also, if you pulled them farther off the backdrop you're using, that would be more pleasing.

And you ideally want the window more to the side of them, so the light is more directional and angled. That way what hits them is more diffused as well because indoor window light can be as harsh as sunlight outdoors if the subject is directly in the beams.

A reflector opposite your "main light" (in this case the window) would help too--you can easily use a large poster-sized piece of white foamcore for that.

Last thought...I'm thinking you're using a digital SLR but I can't remember if you are but let me know because I have some ideas of getting the exposure down in camera so you don't have to do more than tweak in after.

Light backgrounds can be tricky...especially while you're still in learning mode, so I think you did a great job!

tikva18 · 11-05-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canon_Girl

Gosh they're so cute!!

I honestly think your biggest issue is white balance. Is the camera on auto white balance (AWB)?

Also, if you pulled them farther off the backdrop you're using, that would be more pleasing.

And you ideally want the window more to the side of them, so the light is more directional and angled. That way what hits them is more diffused as well because indoor window light can be as harsh as sunlight outdoors if the subject is directly in the beams.

A reflector opposite your "main light" (in this case the window) would help too--you can easily use a large poster-sized piece of white foamcore for that.

Last thought...I'm thinking you're using a digital SLR but I can't remember if you are but let me know because I have some ideas of getting the exposure down in camera so you don't have to do more than tweak in after.

Light backgrounds can be tricky...especially while you're still in learning mode, so I think you did a great job!

The camera is on auto white balance - I have to be brave and learn how to set it myself. I will try, next time to change the angle of where I have them sit and put the backdrop further from them.

I'm using a point and shoot set on manual

- a canon powershot S5IS. I really wish I had a dSLR; my mom has a rebel which she hasn't been using - so I'm angling for her to give it to me

.

Maiden Comfort · 11-05-2009, 10:51 AM

set your white balance to the sun preset when you're using it like this. Even if it's off a bit, they will all be consistent and need less tweaking in post process.