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Tips please! Artistic Portraits Non-Disney

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Fri, 08/10/2012 - 13:51
Kristen K.'s picture
Kristen K.
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Tips please! Artistic Portraits Non-Disney

I was going to put this in the "Most Artistic Non-Disney Pictures" Thread, but then I kept adding pictures and the post got to big. Last night my daughter Victoria was crowned Rockford DeMolay Sweetheart and I tried to get some nice artsy shots of her. The Master Councilors theme is Avengers, which is why you see the shield in some of the pictures.

I'm shooting with a little Sony Cyber-shot. I shoot in this room all the time and have a really difficult time of it. The walls and ceiling are boring, ugly even, the lighting is bad, and I usually have very little time available. I can't use a flash in here because I get big black shadows and the forward subject is always over exposed.

Here's what I shot of her last night. Please let me know if you have any tips, comments, ideas or suggestions.

Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Tori Sweetheart Untitled

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Fri, 08/10/2012 - 18:32
Hazegry
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my first question to you would be whats your subject? you talk about exposing the room but in shots like this your main point for exposure is your subject the rest can be darker or even out of focus (this is called bokeh (sp))
I think you have a good eye but the other thing I see is you need to learn to pose your daughter, square on like in most of your shots is not the most flattering position for people. The shot where you are looking over her shoulder would be perfect if the background was darker and you blurred the background a bit because she would become to focal point in the picture. The way it is now my eyes are drawn to the shield in the background. I understand why you have it there but it is a distraction in this composition. All in all I think your selling your self short for someone with no training and a point and shoot I think you did very well. I will give links to some posing guides and show you more of what I am talking about when I get home from work.

Fri, 08/10/2012 - 18:52
Hazegry
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in this picture you can see how my background is dark but I used my flash to make my subject stand out and she is the focal point in the photograph.

When I dont do this you look all around the photo but dont really see just the subject.

yes its overexposed but this was to learn a new skill so I dont edit when I am learning something new.

so thats how you should use your flash on your camera when you cant light the whole room (I couldnt light that room with my SB-600 flash it would take at least 2 sb-910's with umbrellas and radio triggers) also try putting a bit of tissue infront of the flash on your camera the light wont be so harsh and it will save your highlights.

The 4th photo with her looking over her shoulder and smiling with that great smile is driving me bonkers if you know the 2 people sitting in the chairs do me a favor and smack them. They drive me nuts because this is a great shot it has other flaws but it captures your daughters personality and excitement. Next time ask them to move its your daughters day and only a rude oaf wouldnt be willing to move for her. people walking into shots and standing in the way oblivious to their surroundings drives me nuts sorry for the little rant.

Like I said before I think you captured the day well are they pro grade shots no, but you captured your daughters emotions for the day and thats the most important thing. tell her congratulations from me.

Fri, 08/10/2012 - 18:53
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Kristen K.
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Awesome! I would LOVE some posing tip links.

Tori and I took a 2 hour class about posing earlier in the year, so we're doing a little better than before but it's always a challenge. She's the only one of my kids that humors me when I'm trying to get it right and keep harping "drop your shoulder, turn your head, more... more..."

Fri, 08/10/2012 - 19:55
Hazegry
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http://www.lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/index.html

theres more there than posing I am trying to find you one more

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 01:35
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Jess
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I don't have any photography tips but I just wanted to say what a beautiful dress...and what is it that she was crowned sweetheart of?

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Sat, 08/11/2012 - 01:58
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Oh Kristen, that's awesome! Congratulations to your daughter!

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Sat, 08/11/2012 - 13:12
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Jess wrote:
I don't have any photography tips but I just wanted to say what a beautiful dress...and what is it that she was crowned sweetheart of?

Would you believe we got that dress for $50 on clearance! We found it when David's Bridal was clearing out their Prom stuff. The girls wear a lot of formals in this organization, so we're always keeping our eyes open for a sale.

She was made Sweetheart of our city's DeMolay Chapter. DeMolay is a fraternity and prestigious youth organization dedicated to teaching young men between 12 to 21 years of age to be better persons and leaders. One of their seven key values is to honor and protect the ideals of womanhood. Once a year they chose a young lady from the community to represent them. She, will be the hostess at all of our local DeMolay events for the coming year and it's her job to help all of the boys learn appropriate social interaction. She'll help to plan any partys that they have and make sure that there's always refreshments at the meetings. She has a Sweetheart Court that will help her.

DeMolay is a fantastic organization and I really love working with them. One of the most famous members of DeMolay was Walt Disney and he credited the organization with helping him to form his beliefs and ideals. Walt joined the organization in 1920 at the age of 19 and he wore his DeMolay ring well into his 40s. There was also a Mickey Mouse cartoon with the 'Barn Yard Chapter" of DeMolay that ran for awhile!

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 13:24
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Kristen K.
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Hazegry wrote:

The 4th photo with her looking over her shoulder and smiling with that great smile is driving me bonkers if you know the 2 people sitting in the chairs do me a favor and smack them. They drive me nuts because this is a great shot it has other flaws but it captures your daughters personality and excitement. Next time ask them to move its your daughters day and only a rude oaf wouldnt be willing to move for her. people walking into shots and standing in the way oblivious to their surroundings drives me nuts sorry for the little rant.

LoL.. it's *so* hard to get her to smile naturally. I think I made some sort of Dr. Who joke to get that look on her face. I had chased a couple of boys off the stair steps when I started shooting. I don't think I had even noticed that the other two were there.

When I'm in Disney I work really hard at getting shots without extra tourists in them, I was so worked up getting things together for this event I'm probably lucky that I got a few minutes with her while the boys were setting up. I want to take her out to a park and try shooting some more pictures in her dress and tiara. I'll try and get in even closer and not worry about a darker background.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 18:25
Hazegry
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I wrote a big reply while on break at work today and it got deleted darn it. so sorry if this one isnt as well worded lol.

First off whos her fav doctor mine is Tom baker.

Like I said before I think you captured the mood and her personality so you did good. I keep saying I am going to start a book #*(#&*( That wouldnt move lol. This happens to all of us I still like your pictures just noticed that right off is all. I posted comments based solely on photography not the event at hand. I dont have an emotional attachment to the photo and you do so please dont think I am saying these are not good shots I am just pointing out where you can improve.

The park would be a great idea just make sure the background doesnt compete to be the main focus. Your daughter seems to have accomplished allot and be and outstanding young lady kudos to you both.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 23:23
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Aww, thanks so much! I'm pretty proud of her, she's a good kid (19). Though, she's not really a kid any more, I just consider myself lucky to still get to have her at home a little bit longer. I have no aversion to constructive critique, so it's all good. Smile

She's a David Tennant girl, he was her first Doctor. Matt Smith is growing on her, but I think that everyone loves the first Dr. that they watched.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 23:29
Hazegry
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Peggy loves tennant as well he was good but none are as great as Tom my lic plate on my car says DRWHO4 tom baker was the 4th doctor

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 01:36
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Kristen K.
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Hazegry wrote:
Peggy loves tennant as well he was good but none are as great as Tom my lic plate on my car says DRWHO4 tom baker was the 4th doctor

LOL!! That's Fantastic!

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 17:05
Hazegry
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another ref for you to read
http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/14779-1-3-2-posing-technique.html

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 17:17
JeffC
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Hi Kristen - I don't have any photography tips for you, but I want to say CONGRATULATIONS!! What a great honor for you and your daughter!

yay clapping stars congrats stars clapping yay

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 20:16
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Kristen K.
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JeffC wrote:
Hi Kristen - I don't have any photography tips for you, but I want to say CONGRATULATIONS!! What a great honor for you and your daughter!

yay clapping stars congrats stars clapping yay

Thank you so much! We're pretty excited, though it's going to be a very busy year. She's tossed out the idea of maybe competing for the State Sweetheart Title next year. Yikes!

 
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