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Shooting Sr. Pictures soon. need critiquing!

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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
I posted this in Media & Arts but it didn't receive much feedback.

First off, I'm decently new to this t2i I recently picked up but I've agreed to help out a few friends with their sr. pictures.

Set up:
body- t2i
lenses- 18-55mm and 50mm f1.8
(I know, its not that next level stuff)

Here is my flikr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetranclancollabo/

If there is any advice you could give me as to what setting to shoot on like "AV" and custom white balance tips, that would be rad. Anything other critiquing, just spit it out. I can take it.

Thanks
Jul 14 2011 12:26AM
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Gnarwall
Posts: 1180 - Karma: 50
I'm going to be honest, most of the recent stuff seems way too saturated and over edited. Shoot with the 50mm at 2.2-2.5ish, 100iso. I usually underexpose a bit too. Find a good background and bokeh the shit out of it (leaves with filtered sunlight can be good, brick wall, etc.). Shoot on an overcast day and focus on the persons eyes. I just use the white balance on camera and that does fine. Set it to the environment. Be sure to keep it simple, since your subject isn't gonna want "artsy" stuff, they are going to want a nice simple portrait that tells it how it is. Look at some magazines to find appealing poses.
Jul 14 2011 12:50AM
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BLUMPKING
Posts: 632 - Karma: 10
yeah the first few photos on that page suck dood... i like the rest though.
Jul 14 2011 12:55AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Alright thanks for the tips dude. Is shooting at f1.8 compared to f2.2-2.5 going to make a huge difference?

So basically I should be shooting on "M" or manual and keep the aperature/iso fixed while adjusting the shutter speed according to the environment and lighting?

Thanks again dude.
Jul 14 2011 1:01AM
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Gnarwall
Posts: 1180 - Karma: 50
you can if you want, I'd put it in aperture priority probably. 1.8 is pretty creamy, go ahead and try it by all means, but 2.2 is a lot crisper.
Jul 14 2011 1:15AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Alright, sounds like a plan. Thanks for your input dude.
Jul 14 2011 1:34AM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,006
the sad thing is, a lot of people like the over edited, over saturated look for senior pics. so you may be ok.
Jul 14 2011 1:35AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Ya I guess it'll vary between the people I shoot. I'm still new to photography so I don't really have the right eye when it comes to editing in photoshop.

What are some "quick touch ups" in photoshop that you would recommend?
Jul 14 2011 1:42AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
shooting tomorrow. anymore last minute advice?
Jul 14 2011 5:37PM
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Ftacnik
Posts: 1997 - Karma: 111
I like some of your processing just maybe tone it down a bit.

And the difference between shooting at f/1.8 to f/2.2 is pretty big. I soot wide open quite a bit but that's because I love the shallow depth of field even if it is softer. I've never been a pixel peeper.

Just keep in mind the whole point of the pictures is to make your subject look good. Good luck and have fun!
Jul 14 2011 5:46PM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Alright thank you. I've decided to edit the photos in front of the customer, since we are actual friends I don't think it will matter that much. It might even be better that way so they get what they want kind of thing.

Should I even use the stock 18-55mm lens? From all of this feedback I'm thinking that I'll work with my 50mm most of the time to get the bokeh in most of the shots.
Jul 14 2011 7:27PM
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marsland
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 421
senior pictures are all in the moustache. if you cant grow one, photoshop one in
Jul 14 2011 7:31PM
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Ftacnik
Posts: 1997 - Karma: 111
I'd bring it along to grab some wider angle shots. I know shooting a whole session on a crop body with just a 50mm can be a pain in the ass.
Jul 14 2011 7:51PM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the help dude.
Jul 15 2011 1:33AM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
keep the lens cap on.

prayyyyy.



Jul 15 2011 1:49AM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
I kid.

Less saturation a baby touch of fill flash.
Jul 15 2011 1:52AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Haha.. How do you control the flash of a camera. I went through the flash control but wasn1't able to adjust anything. I'm shooting on AV if that makes a difference.
Jul 15 2011 2:56AM
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Ftacnik
Posts: 1997 - Karma: 111
Off camera flash.

Just remember in photography everyone has their own opinion. It's an art, there isn't a right or wrong way to do things.

I never use flash unless it's literally pitch black. Even during a wedding ceremony in a dark church. I just shoot big apertures and high ISO's, but that's because I like the shallow DOF/grainy look. Once again, everyone has an opinion, that's mine.
Jul 15 2011 3:36AM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
Threads.
Jul 15 2011 3:40AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Good point.. I think for now I'm going to stop over-editing stuff and go for more of the natural look. I feel like I'm doing too much.

I'll update with the shots I get tomorrow for more feedback.

I'm not really about the grainy look but if I edit the photos in front of my client, then they can tell me what they like and dislike. Good idea? They are mainly friends that I'm helping out so its not a professional business or anything.

Thanks again for the help.
Jul 15 2011 3:43AM
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