Saturday morning photoshoot @ Central Mall with << Huiyi, Sharon & Zylia >>

[Anson]

Some comments from me:

#S01: Increase ISO to 200 to capture ambient light

#S05: Increase your ISO to 200 & reduce EV, to increase the shutter speed.

#S06 : Overall a good exposure & coloring.

#H06, Z05 & Z06: Increase the EV in your camera, or Gama setting in your PP would help

My general advise is not to worry so much about "noise" so much... cause I don't think you would be printing it poster size...

 

[Deadpoet]

I am going to go out on a limb on this one. If in the process, I offended everyone who commented, so be it. I don't care.

Fact, TS uses a PnS.
Fact, PnS has limited flexibility and capability.
Fact, TS's photographer experience is limited.
Fact, getting better equipment is not the solution.

I see all these comments, recommendation, suggestion to change this setting,s use other setting, etc etc etc to improve the pictures, these are all very "engineering" approch to photography, and

Fact, during a group mass orgy photoshoot, there is little time for most to drastically altered setting (aperture, speed, iso, EV blah blah blah), and chjanging settings back and forth, confuses even the best of us.
Fact, TS is not going to miss an opportunity to SNAP.

What to do?

Learn and master the art.

Composition, poses, angles, perspectives, lights, styling are all things, that a portrait photographer need to master regardless of what camera he or she is using.

To TS. If you are keen to become a good portrait photographer, just concentrate on learning what was said in the above paragraph. If you mater those, you will be better than 90% of them out there. You may actually become one of those greats who can delive images using a PnS. Why not?

Forget about buying this and buying that. A speedlight will not improve your photography. Changing iso wont. Better composition, understanding of lights, good grasp of styling will.

 

[leejay]

Words of wisdom from the master...

 

[bEnd1ck]

I am going to go out on a limb on this one. If in the process, I offended everyone who commented, so be it. I don't care.

Fact, TS uses a PnS.
Fact, PnS has limited flexibility and capability.
Fact, TS's photographer experience is limited.
Fact, getting better equipment is not the solution.

I see all these comments, recommendation, suggestion to change this setting,s use other setting, etc etc etc to improve the pictures, these are all very "engineering" approch to photography, and

Fact, during a group mass orgy photoshoot, there is little time for most to drastically altered setting (aperture, speed, iso, EV blah blah blah), and chjanging settings back and forth, confuses even the best of us.
Fact, TS is not going to miss an opportunity to SNAP.

What to do?

Learn and master the art.

Composition, poses, angles, perspectives, lights, styling are all things, that a portrait photographer need to master regardless of what camera he or she is using.

To TS. If you are keen to become a good portrait photographer, just concentrate on learning what was said in the above paragraph. If you mater those, you will be better than 90% of them out there. You may actually become one of those greats who can delive images using a PnS. Why not?

Forget about buying this and buying that. A speedlight will not improve your photography. Changing iso wont. Better composition, understanding of lights, good grasp of styling will.

When I read the first line, I thought I'm gonna see some powerslam, piledriver, DDT action. haha. But no, at least not this time. You seem to be in a more friendly mode today. That's sound advice given and I don't see why anyone should be offended by it.

 

[sohwayne]

When I read the first line, I thought I'm gonna see some powerslam, piledriver, DDT action. haha. But no, at least not this time. You seem to be in a more friendly mode today. That's sound advice given and I don't see why anyone should be offended by it.

second that... :thumbsup:

 

[scandal599]

TS may like to visit Ken Rockwell's website for ideas. On his site, he said that the type of equipment a photographer uses does not really matter. What matters most is the photographer himself. I myself am starting out in portrait photography, so I am no expert as compared to many of the gurus here. But as what DP has said, the technicalities of photography can be learned over time. As a portrait photographer, it is important to capture the essence of the subject or model in this case.

Watched a documentary on fashion photography a long time back, this was in the film era. They had actually featured a photographer, cannot remember what his name was, taking pictures for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. What caught my attention was not what he was shooting but the equipment he used. It was nothing more than a disposable compact! Yet this was a celebrated photographer, taking photos for Sports Illustrated. One would expect that the tools of the trade will be used in full force. Lights, reflectors etc, you name it, it should be used. How far a picture can go depends on how the photographer wants to take it. It can be subtle, yet it have a lasting memory. Some can be big and bold, but yet forgettable.

As for me, still have a lot to learn. So it is back to shooting even more and looking to improve.

 

[Deadpoet]

When I read the first line, I thought I'm gonna see some powerslam, piledriver, DDT action. haha. But no, at least not this time. You seem to be in a more friendly mode today. That's sound advice given and I don't see why anyone should be offended by it.

because I slammed those useless technical suggestions change this setting try that setting buy this camera use that flash crap of advises...

It's like someone telling me that my images will be so much better if I shoot with a H3D :dunno: or that my should not over exposed my images :dunno: or I should not shoot wide open :dunno:

 

[Johnston]

I second that to what DP has advised. I am no guru here. I learnt thru my every shoot I been thru, the hard way at times. Am still learning. Once you start to look at styling, details and lighting even shadows, you know you are on the right track. Just keep shooting.

 

[simplicitee]

I take the point that TS needs more work on his photos.

But i think more constructive C&Cs please.

My 2 cents worth now...

I've never been to one of this photo shoots but i wld imagine it to be quite compelling? As in if you are new and there is a small grp of photographers busy snapping away already, you wont wanna miss any opportunities while at the same time dun wanna not delay the group.
(Advice: best to have model all to urself! ask ur friend or gf or something....:bsmilie

General feel is that some of the backgrounds are distracting.
eg: reflection in S02, taxi & driver's head in Z02.

Another point would be exposure. Several are under exposed.

And of course composition. Cutting off of limbs seems to be a cardinal sin in potrait shots. :bsmilie:

I am learning from the comments here as well.

Like how the camera was "fooled" by the white skirt in S02. Thats something i jus learned.

Read other threads, you will learn alot more.

Keep trying.

More constructive comments please!

I would like to learn as well!

;p

 

[Deadpoet]

I take the point that TS needs more work on his photos.

But i think more constructive C&Cs please.


...

More constructive comments please!

I would like to learn as well!

;p

So, I gathered, you feel the comments are not constructive. well, you are right, most aren't. But then, for the remaining minority, what are you looking for? To tell you exactly what to do? to tell you the exact settings? We can do that, but no one will learn. We pointed out the problems, please go figure out the solution. It's not rocket science for crying out loud!!!!!!!

There are choices, bing spoon fed, execute, and learn nothing.

Experiment, be critical, get slammed, and learn.

 

[Canonised]

.......... On his site, he said that the type of equipment a photographer uses does not really matter. What matters most is the photographer himself. ............

This is totally misleading .....:think: total bs.
Looking at the photos and its location, and also since it is a 5-shooter images, you need a decent equipment system to get some decent images.... and of course the photographer must have some basic skills.

Probably the best way to improve is to shoot more and post more here for C&C :sweat:

 

[quanyew]

My general advise is not to worry so much about "noise" so much... cause I don't think you would be printing it poster size...

I just feel uncomfortable when I saw those "grain" when viewing photo at full scale. Of course scaling down the photo reduces grainy effect. Let myself figure out the grainy acceptance level. Thanks for your feedback ...

 

[quanyew]

I am going to go out on a limb on this one. If in the process, I offended everyone who commented, so be it. I don't care.

Fact, TS uses a PnS.
Fact, PnS has limited flexibility and capability.
Fact, TS's photographer experience is limited.
Fact, getting better equipment is not the solution.

I see all these comments, recommendation, suggestion to change this setting,s use other setting, etc etc etc to improve the pictures, these are all very "engineering" approch to photography, and

Fact, during a group mass orgy photoshoot, there is little time for most to drastically altered setting (aperture, speed, iso, EV blah blah blah), and chjanging settings back and forth, confuses even the best of us.
Fact, TS is not going to miss an opportunity to SNAP.

What to do?

Learn and master the art.

Composition, poses, angles, perspectives, lights, styling are all things, that a portrait photographer need to master regardless of what camera he or she is using.

To TS. If you are keen to become a good portrait photographer, just concentrate on learning what was said in the above paragraph. If you mater those, you will be better than 90% of them out there. You may actually become one of those greats who can delive images using a PnS. Why not?

Forget about buying this and buying that. A speedlight will not improve your photography. Changing iso wont. Better composition, understanding of lights, good grasp of styling will.

"not going to miss an opportunity to SNAP" perfectly describe how I took photo on the day. :sweat: This is what I need to change.

I will take note of Composition, poses, angles, perspectives, lightings, styling and to learn and master them. Thanks for your guidance .

Getting new equipment is just a side topic to reply to my group mate. I’m pretty sure that the result will come up the same if I were to use it on that day.

As for Speedlite, soon or later, I’ll need one for other type of photography.

 

[bEnd1ck]

Sharon

#S04 : Is the flash considered harsh on the model?

Hi quanyew, instead of asking whether it is considered harsh, you should have asked yourself earlier whether u needed to use flash or not. The group wanted the model to stand there because of the natural light coming from the translucent roof. Its like a giant diffuser giving nice soft lighting on the model. I'll prefer not to use flash under this condition.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Benji77]

Irregardless of the type of 'photography' you prefer (portrait or macro), the key to a good shot is the control of light. HOW you control this light, is entirely up to you.
Mastering this HOW is the technical aspect.

WHY you want to control this HOW is the art.
The art of your perception.

You need to practice with another type of subject before you waste your hard earned $ on organized shoots. What you need is to spend more time working on the fundamentals of photography, and nurture your 'WHY', which is your creative concept, the main idea behind the photo.

It WILL take awhile, 2 years, for the talented, maybe even 6 months.

You need to shoot street, macro, dead things, that will allow you to master the basic first. In protrait, there are factors that distract you. For instance - People skills, politeness, eye for detail, that will take your mind off the 'fundamentals'.

Focus on the fundamentals and you will enjoy your shoots more in the future.

 

[Zeisser]

I am going to go out on a limb on this one. If in the process, I offended everyone who commented, so be it. I don't care.

Fact, TS uses a PnS.
Fact, PnS has limited flexibility and capability.
Fact, TS's photographer experience is limited.
Fact, getting better equipment is not the solution.

I see all these comments, recommendation, suggestion to change this setting,s use other setting, etc etc etc to improve the pictures, these are all very "engineering" approch to photography, and

Fact, during a group mass orgy photoshoot, there is little time for most to drastically altered setting (aperture, speed, iso, EV blah blah blah), and chjanging settings back and forth, confuses even the best of us.
Fact, TS is not going to miss an opportunity to SNAP.

What to do?

Learn and master the art.

Composition, poses, angles, perspectives, lights, styling are all things, that a portrait photographer need to master regardless of what camera he or she is using.

To TS. If you are keen to become a good portrait photographer, just concentrate on learning what was said in the above paragraph. If you mater those, you will be better than 90% of them out there. You may actually become one of those greats who can delive images using a PnS. Why not?

Forget about buying this and buying that. A speedlight will not improve your photography. Changing iso wont. Better composition, understanding of lights, good grasp of styling will.

That's a very good description ' a group mass orgy photoshoot' coined by DP.Have been
thru that years back .....'hey miss look here. one more, smile, miss look there and everywhere,turn this way that way' geezus !

Heed DP advice and you'll certainly improve.

 

[sohwayne]

once upon a week ago...

now.. a week pass... any improved shots from quanyew???

 

[simplicitee]

... what are you looking for? To tell you exactly what to do? to tell you the exact settings? We can do that, but no one will learn.

actually....yes...

hahaha...:bsmilie:

okok...tell me what YOU wld have done and why.

If i agree....i learn something....if i dont....well...then i really have to figure something out!

 

[quanyew]

TS may like to visit Ken Rockwell's website for ideas. On his site, he said that the type of equipment a photographer uses does not really matter. What matters most is the photographer himself. I myself am starting out in portrait photography, so I am no expert as compared to many of the gurus here. But as what DP has said, the technicalities of photography can be learned over time. As a portrait photographer, it is important to capture the essence of the subject or model in this case.

Watched a documentary on fashion photography a long time back, this was in the film era. They had actually featured a photographer, cannot remember what his name was, taking pictures for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. What caught my attention was not what he was shooting but the equipment he used. It was nothing more than a disposable compact! Yet this was a celebrated photographer, taking photos for Sports Illustrated. One would expect that the tools of the trade will be used in full force. Lights, reflectors etc, you name it, it should be used. How far a picture can go depends on how the photographer wants to take it. It can be subtle, yet it have a lasting memory. Some can be big and bold, but yet forgettable.

As for me, still have a lot to learn. So it is back to shooting even more and looking to improve.

This is totally misleading .....:think: total bs.
Looking at the photos and its location, and also since it is a 5-shooter images, you need a decent equipment system to get some decent images.... and of course the photographer must have some basic skills.

Probably the best way to improve is to shoot more and post more here for C&C :sweat:

I second that to what DP has advised. I am no guru here. I learnt thru my every shoot I been thru, the hard way at times. Am still learning. Once you start to look at styling, details and lighting even shadows, you know you are on the right track. Just keep shooting.

Thanks for your advice

 

[quanyew]

Hi quanyew, instead of asking whether it is considered harsh, you should have asked yourself earlier whether u needed to use flash or not. The group wanted the model to stand there because of the natural light coming from the translucent roof. Its like a giant diffuser giving nice soft lighting on the model. I'll prefer not to use flash under this condition.
Just my 2 cents.

Hi bEnd1ck, actually I did try without using flash, the photo is totally under-exposed. I should have try playing around with the setting like reduce shutter speed and/or increase ISO, but I didn’t :sweat: . Next time, I’ll take note of that. Thanks.