Dissappointed in photos

[kat]

So I had a hockey friend request to do her family portrait to send out with their family cards.

I did them yesterday..started looking today and I don't even like one shot.

I have no idea what to do..

Just can't get over how bad they look and why?

What should I do? I wasn't charging her but I hate to give this away as my work when I know I can do so much better... to make it worse..I can't reshoot because it was requested last minute and they are to be printed this evening...

:cry-an:

[Iguanasan]

I'm sure your standards are much higher than theirs. Pick the best of the bunch that you can live with and offer them up suggesting that maybe they'd like a round two after Christmas?

[Bambi]

I agree with Iggy. as long as the kids look cute they will be okay with them. why not post some here and maybe you can get some suggestions?

[kat]

Here is a couple I sent them.

I'll post then tell you what I had a hard time with.

[kat]

In this photo..the boy is slightly out of focus. The lighting was three bulbs above my head (low luminance) and my flash that ran out of battery (had the wrong kind with me) and I lost the battle with it. I wasn't able to shoot at a low f-stop..that may have soemthing to do with it but saying that..wouldn't the man be out of focus as well?

[kat]

[EJC]

Don't back down because of equipment Kat!!!

Look for DIY light modifiers on youtube and flickr. I took some flexible rods from a golf pitching target (a small tent like thing) and a white sheet from the Sally Ann Thrift store and made 2 collapsible diffusers. White foam board, 2 sided tape and aluminium foil makes a reflector. The hardware store sells heat lamp assemblies with a tin reflector dish and built in clamp. Replace the red bulb with a 100 or 150 watt bulb or the brightest energy saver fluorescent bulbs. Put a 2x2 into an empty 4 litre paint can and pack sand or gravel around it and clamp the light to that. You have a portable, adjustable light stand. All this is cheap or you already own it. It ain't pretty but you can practise with it and get some good shots.

Ebay has some cheap remote flash triggers and Vivitar 283 or 285 flashes can be inexpensive too. You can create your own strobist set up. You have to be careful with some 3rd party flashes. Their trigger voltage could damage your camera if you mount it directly. That's why I use the remote triggers and I can use the flash anywhere I want to put it.

Here are the light modifiers I made. Sorry for the weird light. There is fluorescent, incandescent and Xmas tree LEDs lighting this one.

[kat]

Thank you! I've made my own reflector but never the lights! I will get my hubby to read this and have hime put that together..even if it's downstairs to get used to it!

I have a flash that does come off but have no understanding of it yet nor the abilty to take it off..so that will be a purchase soon..same with a remote for my camera!

I think it's time to buy a book on lighting!

[DonW]

Winter is a great time to learn lighting. Strobist is a good site also check out youtube strobist videos. Bert Stephani has some real good ones.

Don

[kat]

Winter is a great time to learn lighting. Strobist is a good site also check out youtube strobist videos. Bert Stephani has some real good ones.

Don

Thankyou!


So I've notified them that I would love to do a reshoot but outside. They have a lovely house with a dock and little ice rink..thought that would be a great set up for some photos. Not to sure if they will take the offer up..but we'll see.

Now to move on as I've been asked to do a shoot for another family this weekend. They are all game to head down to the beach and have fun..although our lake is frozen over so you won't see much water..

Now going through poses..although they are hard to find for four people..which now brings on my next question.. a good posing book?