family photoshoot - batch 1

[ionian]

I had my first taste of a commercial-style photoshoot at the weekend - I had been asked by a friend to do some baby and family portraits, and so I popped round their house for a shoot with cameras, flashes and modifiers, and continuous lights. The first batch of images are below - I'd welcome your C&C as always. I have more to process, and will probably ask for advice with them in due course. The brief was to provide a mix of posed and candid shots, and a mix of colour and b&w. These re all posed or semi-posed, but I have some candids still in the processing pile. Although the technical aspects are important to me, they will be less important to my "clients" if the image has sentimental value.

I have to say I found it a real challenge, despite having researched the shots I wanted to take in advance and being confident with technique and my equipment. I still found myself chopping off limbs in awkward places, and struggling to keep focussed on the images while managing the shoot with children and doting parents. I'd love to do this professionally some day, but it reminded me that I still have lots to learn! I'll keep practising, and won't give up the day job just yet...

1. Nikon D7100 + 35mm f/1.8 lens, 1/125 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200, Compensation: +1, Aperture Priority



2. Nikon D7100 + 35mm f/1.8 lens, 1/125 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200, Compensation: +1, Aperture Priority



3. Nikon D7100 + 35mm f/1.8 lens, 1/80 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200, Compensation: +1, Aperture Priority



4. Nikon D7100 + 35mm f/1.8 lens, 1/100 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200, Compensation: +1, Aperture Priority



5. Nikon D7100 + 35mm f/1.8 lens, 1/40 sec, f/3.5, ISO 200, Compensation: +4/3, Aperture Priority, Flash

[Shadowman]

For the baby they're all candid, nothing posed. Nice efforts, a bit too much catch lights in the eyes on the first and second. Also, you've captured a bit of blue-eye.

[IzzieK]

I don't like the colouring of the face in #1, Simon -- too much saturation? #3 and #4 are the same...my favourites here are #3 and #5, even if #3 need a little bit of skin editing...could be my computer too -- I dialed in a bit more saturation for my monitor the other day to suit the shot I did for my wallpaper. If this is so, ignore me, if not...watch the link below

I got this link from one of the members here and was able to watch it yesterday only. I think this will help you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUgmPqs_7M

[ionian]

Thanks Izzie — actually it was me that posted the phlearn video up originally, so I'm quite familiar with it. I'm relatively happy with the colour saturation levels, so would appreciate a second opinion on this in case it is one of our monitors causing an issue.

[pnodrog]

Thanks Izzie — actually it was me that posted the phlearn video up originally, so I'm quite familiar with it. I'm relatively happy with the colour saturation levels, so would appreciate a second opinion on this in case it is one of our monitors causing an issue.

I think the saturation is fine. The saturation certainly should not be any higher but on my screen the skin tones of the baby are about right. Caucasian skin tones are surprisingly red. In portraits I often find I have to desaturate or adjust red hue (give a slightly tan look) red skin not because of accuracy but to achieve a more flattering result. Moving the tint of WB slightly towards green often achieves a similar result but it depends on other colours in the photograph as to whether it is an appropriate quick fix.

[Mike Buckley]

There is a lot to like in these photos, a surprisingly good job considering that it's your first attempt.

The skin tones on my calibrated monitor look fine. Caucasian babies often display shades of pink in the skin tones and these photos display that characteristic very naturally to my eye.

My only quibble about skin tones is that in the first photo, the baby's left side of the face displays a hint of yellow. That might be caused by a second light source of a different Kelvin temperature than the light in the rest of the scene. I also detect a slight hint of yellow tones in the blanket next to that side of the baby's face, which makes me think the cause is a second light source. It's also possible that the baby has jaundice, which is not uncommon. I photographed a newborn family member who had jaundice and decided not to change the yellow skin tones, feeling that decades later it would be nice to be reminded of the baby's condition.

[ionian]

Thanks Mike - I was surrounded by yellow walls. I tried to manipulate my reflectors to avoid a colour cast but may have missed a spot back there. I'll see if I can dial it out a little.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Simon,

Veeeery interesting to see your first go - rather more intimidating than mine, so well done.

I took the liberty of adding the EXIF data to your shots above, being a nosey 'whatsit' and wanting to compare notes

I see you stuck with the 35/1.8 throughout these, as I think I did on my first go. Focus and exposure looks good on all.

I was wondering what type/size of umbrella and light source were used in the first two?
The EXIF suggests not flash, but I know from my own experience that EXIF data can get 'confused' or misled by certain camera and/or flash settings.

#1 - The capture looks fine, but I'm wondering what caused a couple of odd effects in the eyes; there seems to be a red border along the lower eye lid (also on lower lip of mouth), possibly uncorrected CA? (not sure, nothing else to confirm/deny this)
Also in the eyes are some blue smears from the light source which I can't explain at all. I don't have a problem with the skin tone, although I struggle to accept my choice for Chloe - I need to watch that Phlearn video. Is there is a bit of a 'mixed lighting' colour cast behind the baby?

#2 - The monochrome hides the above issues, if they existed.

#3 - The red BabyGro is a bit eye catching, isn't it, also missing body parts as you're already aware.

#4 - You have a very nice 'triangle of faces' composition here - and I'm amazed that thy are all sharp enough at f/1.8. This is probably my favourite. Although the background is very soft, it might have been best avoided. I note the red BabyGro is gone

#5 - There's a very bright, hazy area top left which partially obscures Dad's head which I find a distraction. Good exposure on the other three though. Nice family group, I'd crop a slither off the top edge, if mine. The son's Tee-shirt could really have done with some straightening, although I can see that would have been tricky to achieve without risking upsetting the family dynamic during the shoot. I note this one has no distracting background detail


It was good that you had several different baby clothes changes and also everyone looks happy.
I did wonder whether a less textured surface for baby might have been better; there's lots of detail there to attract eyes that look for pulled stitches, etc.


I noticed you have at least one pair of eyes in contact with the viewer in each of these, which works I think.


All in all, I think you have done VERY well under some pressure I'm sure (even if that was largely you on yourself).

Hope that's helpful, Dave

[pnodrog]

Simon just remember the parents assessment of your photography will be done on totally different criteria from fellow photographers. Successful capture of expressions and good composition will far exceed the importance of WB etc. If you capture "the moment" minor technical flaws will be overlooked.

People wearing rose tinted glasses do not usually make hypercritical technical assessments.

[Mike Buckley]

If you capture "the moment" minor technical flaws will be overlooked.

99% of parents won't even notice them, much less overlook them.

[ionian]

Paul - definitely very true; but for me, as a learning photographer, I value the feedback on here to make the next shoot easier! when my little one was tiny we took her to a pro photographer and I love the photos from that shoot, despite the fact that there are one or two that missed focus.

Dave - thanks for your comments - I hoped you'd jump in, considering your current series of images. To answer some of your queries:

First four were taken with a continuos light through a 33" shoot through umbrella, in front and off camera left in a classic 45degree spot as you look at the images. I had a reflector on the right to avoid colour cast from the wall, and even up the tones. I also needed a reflector at the back as that is where the colour cast is coming from in the first image.

The last image used a flash off-camera left on a reflective umbrella, again in the 45degree spot, ttl, as a key light; plus a flash behind the family to blow the background, which was a window. I've then cleaned up the background in Photoshop using a white brush. I don't mind the bloom around the dad's head personally, but I can see why it would be best avoided.

I need to go back and work on the eyes in the first two. I've used a combination of high pass filter, saturation adjustment and curves adjustment which works magic on developed eyes, but it is not working for this little one who is only 17days old. Any artefacts are probably sloppy brush work on my part.

The red baby-gro was mums choice! As was the patterned floor cover. I would ideally have several of these myself that I could bring to shoots, but I haven't invested in these things yet. Cheap small rugs would work well I think. I also need to get a portable background if I am going to do more of this type of work. I have the frame, but need the canvas on a roll.

35 f1.8 stayed on my d7100 throughout, but I also used the Olympus 45mm f1.8 on my gx7 for "grab shots" between set-ups. I have a couple of those that made the cut, and will go in batch 2. I figured the 35 gave me the best combination of sharpness and depth control.

All in all it wasn't too traumatic but it certainly was challenging. If I do it again, I don't want to travel myself but have people come to me where I know the light and can set up my lighting rig in advance. That would take some of the stress out of walking in to a new house and having to rig up makeshift lights that work for multiple people of different sizes! I'd also shoot with back drops and have a variety of floor coverings that can be interchanged as I go. Lastly, I'd ask family members to stop trying to take their own photos while I'm doing my job - having to manoeuvre around children and dads with cameras was less than ideal...

[IzzieK]

Thanks Izzie — actually it was me that posted the phlearn video up originally, so I'm quite familiar with it. I'm relatively happy with the colour saturation levels, so would appreciate a second opinion on this in case it is one of our monitors causing an issue.

I have to admit it was me. I calibrated my monitor then I manually adjusted the saturation slider. Just now I decided to look at my graphic card's (Nvidia) selection and I set my choice to 'Other applications control colour setting'and your image and my desktop wallpaper is more looking normal and calibrated. Sorry...selective amnesia...

[Dave Humphries]

Thanks for your detailed and informative reply Simon, I have learned a lot from it.

I stuck with primes for the first few shoots, 'zooming with my knees' to achieve framing, then I changed to my 'kit' lens, actually the 18-200mm (I see you have an 18-140mm) and have found that very useful for control of framing and perspective, which are two different things, at these relatively close distances.

I have no experience of your 18-140mm, but I haven't found (loss of) sharpness to be an issue with my 18-200mm, although occasionally I found I got just too close to achieve focus and lost a few shots that way.

I kinda guessed, with regard to the BabyGro and blanket choice, that it was beyond your control.

The reason I asked about the umbrella size was that I have also just purchased a 33 inch one, mainly because anything bigger will likely be too big in my daughter's house - although I have yet to try even this modest size 'on site'.

Yes, I can see several benefits from having them come to you, if you have the space.
That said, when they are that young (for 'newborn' size shots), and especially when it is the parents first child, most may not want to travel in UK climate, with all it entails.

I can see me ordering a couple of flat sided reflectors, or foam core board, for use in front of walls.

Just off to see batch 2, Dave

[IzzieK]

Simon, in that house you went to on this shot, are there any family members taking shots too? Maybe when you got another assignment like this, make it one of the conditions not to shoot around you and 'your set up'. They can do anything they like after you leave.

[ionian]

Had I have been using a backdrop I may have considered the 18-140, but whilst it's super versatile it's not my favourite for sharpness across the frame. Going in to the shoot I had that Anne Geddis look in mind, very shallow depth of field, which is why I stayed with such wide apertures.

Soon you'll be outside shooting with summer coming, and Chloe will be more mobile, so those walls will be less of an issue. Plenty of other issues out there!

Izzy - they were friends and I was in their house, so didn't think I should stop them. The Dad had just bought a new camera (the a6300) having been on message boards like dpreview. he's got himself a serious piece of kit but the internet does love to spend other people's money! He was shocked when I said I was shooting a crop sensor, just goes to show how much gear snobbery is out there and how easy it is to indoctrinate people who don't know any better. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a d810, but give him a d810 and me a smartphone and I'd fancy my chances of taking the better pics...

[IzzieK]

Even if he is your friend and took pictures of his baby and his family, one day he will realized he is no better once he sees your work as compared to his. If this is his first camera, he will be making mistakes too, like we all did when we had our first camera and knew no better. So be patient. You may give him pointers, but do so in a very limited manner. I am not asking you to be greedy with what you know now, but that tactic will make him realize the camera does not really matter much, it is his output that will be most important. Then he might go to you and ask your advice why his images looks like snapshots. Or ask his photo/gear group what he was doing wrong. I have a funny suspicion that he asked you to take his family shots so he will learn how you do your set-up as a professional, only to discover that you were using a crop camera. He has a better one? In a few days he will call himself a professional photographer because he think he has a better camera than yours. Watch him compare your shots to his first.