[JAG]

Managed to find some time and have a dabble at post processing. Any advice of ways to be improved gratefully received







Many thanks,

Ian

[Dabhand16]

These are three really nice shots Ian - well done

The improvements I would suggest - and the first might not be possible - is to try to take your shots with either a plain background or where you can throw it well out of focus.

However, I think these are more grabbed shots than planned, so I know this is not always possible.

#1 - needs a bit more space over his head I think, and I'd either like to see what he is carrying or have a tighter crop. This shot is between the two. The shadow on his left arm does not bother me unduly.

#2 - has a distracting background again and his shadow is more intrusive.

#3 - pity he was not looking towards you - and a shadow on the background which is nicely blank Leaving more space between the subject and the BG will reduce/eliminate the shadow here.

All these are more niggles than anything else - they are a nice set of images that I hope you are very pleased with.

[Ken Hawk]

The last one is the best for me.

Have you tryed a bevel edge on the drop shaddow.

Which lens did you use?

Are you taking your camera to the Red Sea?

Ken

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

These are three really nice shots Ian - well done

The improvements I would suggest - and the first might not be possible - is to try to take your shots with either a plain background or where you can throw it well out of focus.

However, I think these are more grabbed shots than planned, so I know this is not always possible.

#1 - needs a bit more space over his head I think, and I'd either like to see what he is carrying or have a tighter crop. This shot is between the two. The shadow on his left arm does not bother me unduly.

#2 - has a distracting background again and his shadow is more intrusive.

#3 - pity he was not looking towards you - and a shadow on the background which is nicely blank Leaving more space between the subject and the BG will reduce/eliminate the shadow here.

All these are more niggles than anything else - they are a nice set of images that I hope you are very pleased with.

Thanks very much for you comments and suggestions. Indeed they were grabbed shots using the onboard flash, the kid never stands still for 2 seconds! Everytime I point a camera at him he just wants to look at the LCD display and press the buttons There was a series of about half a dozen shots similar to number 1 where he must have been filling his nappy coz he was motionless for about 30 seconds. Two and three were pure spur of the moment. I had just stuck on my new 70-300 VR and messing about and came up with those.

Really appreciate your advice and have will endeavour to soak it all up.

Ian

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Ken Hawk

The last one is the best for me.

Have you tryed a bevel edge on the drop shaddow.

Which lens did you use?

Are you taking your camera to the Red Sea?

Ken

Hi Ken,

Haven't tried the bevel edge, will google it shortly

For number one I had the 18-135 and set at 135mm. Numbers 2 & 3 I was playing with the new 70-300VR.

I am taking it to the Red Sea but alas not underwater. I was in Ocean Leisure at Embankment yesterday and just couldn't justify the cost of the housing. Unfortunately my wife knows how much they cost as I keep hinting to her, so if she saw it around the house I think she'd John Bobbit me!

[Les Meehan]

I agree, three nice candid portraits. I would go for the crop on #1, just below the stripes and then clone out what is left of the white sleeve. The toy and sleeve are distracting.

No. 3 is nice and fresh, great happy chappie face. Would have preferred a tad more chinny chin chin but hey, it works fine as is. Tonally, I would like to see the front of the face lighter than the side of the face, this could be done easily and would put the attention on the facial features rather than the bright side of flattish cheek.

The backgrounds could easily be toned down/changed by either blurring or whatever.

Like 'um!

[Rob Barron]

Lovely shots these Jag, beautiful tones in the first one and lovely sharp dark blue eyes. All crop comments made above and I agree so no need to repat them. What a lovely lad he is, these are great for the family album and for displaying on the sideboard or wherever.

Great shots,
Rob