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

[quanyew]

Composition - none, looks like too busy pressing the shutter.
Exposure - all over the globe, seems like center-weighted matrix metering without regard of surrounding and where the model is. Oh, model is always in the center.
Flash - total disregard of the shortcoming of shoe-mounted flash, harsh light, hot spot and shadows.

At the end of the day, I am so tired with people saying, "... There is no editing to the photos, just scale down the photos. I’m still trying my best to take photo without any editing...."

This is not a badge of courage. It's stupidity. Why? Post processing is equivalent of developing the negatives or slides, and the printing of the print. Even the cheapest lab will adjust exposure/color/WB when processing and printing. Then why this "boast" of no editing? Does not make sense whatsoever.

Back to the picture. Best advise, start all over.

So?

Don't use the build-in flash!

A photographer must understand the limitation of the equipment used. Work around them.

With the limitation of the S5IS, does it makes the shadows look any better? No. does it makes it worst? No. The shadow is jsut as annoying as ever, whether the camera used is a S5IS or a 1DsMk3.

Composition – Yes, I now did have the feeling that I pressing the shutter too quickly. I’ll take note of that.
Exposure – most of the time I’m using face detection focusing.
Flash – I do not have a Speedlite. I’m using built-in flash. Yes, I do observed obvious shadows especial when then the model is near the wall. Hope that I can invest on a Speedlite, and use bounds effects for that.

Seriously, I am not to photo processing yet. Cos if so, I’m the one doing that, not the lab. I do not have experience on that.

 

[quanyew]

Those factors are most likely due to his equipment limitations: Canon S5IS using built-in flash.

Thanks for bothering to save the photo and check the EXIF information .

 

[pegasus1010]

Try looking for Gary Foong Puffer - a diffuser which work for internal flash.
OP @ Sim Lim Square had a *cheaper* version.

That might help in reducing those harsh flash shadows until you save enough for a speedlite.

Having a speedlite does not immediate solve the problems, you still need to learn how to use it.

Then also read up your manual on re-composing your shots & search the net on rule of thirds & finally go library or buy a book on photoshop to learn how to further enhance your photos to bring out the best of them.

Finally it's practise more on the Manual settings instead of always relying on Aperture or shutter mode.

 

[AristDing]

FYI, All above shots were taken with flash on, except #Z02.
For #Z02, I was standing more than 5m away from the model, using full zoom, trying to get the best bokeh effect :sweat: .

Hey, chill ya.

I do think your photographs are good, except the exposure wasn't all that good in some parts of the image. Otherwise, it'd be really good photos.

And btw, I mentioned that you didn't pay close attention to lighting because I wasn't sure if you had an external flash or not. I myself often have images quite similar to yours as a result of shooting with internal flash.

Cheers!

 

[aegisangels]

personally, i feel that your pics ain that bad ....perhaps you should try to ask your models to look at your camera before shooting them....otherwise it may seems aibt dis-organize and dis-orientated

jus my 2 cents worth of personal comments

 

[PyeeL]

I know this is of little relevance but heed no attention to Nec Hezner's post. It serves no intention in helping you improve in any way.
Anyway, I feel the angles are not appealing, lighting and composition wise, I haven't had a good look.

 

[tjhan]

Hey, chill ya.

I do think your photographs are good, except the exposure wasn't all that good in some parts of the image. Otherwise, it'd be really good photos.

And btw, I mentioned that you didn't pay close attention to lighting because I wasn't sure if you had an external flash or not. I myself often have images quite similar to yours as a result of shooting with internal flash.

Cheers!

Are you guys kidding? I seriously think any person on the street with a PnS can get better photos than this. I have friends on facebook who camwhore themselves and still get better photos, both in terms of exposure, composition and colour and pose!

Bokeh is not everything, you can get great pics with the whole picture sharp too what. If you think your camera cannot take pics in dim lighting, being a bridge camrea, then you shouldn't show the pics that were taken in situations that are not favourable to you. Even if it was a group shoot, there would be locations where lighting was sufficient to be used naturally without flash, considering your flash limitation.

 

[flipfreak]

My camera do have manual mode. Most of the time, I am shooting in Shutter priority mode, some time Aperture priority. So far never shoot at auto mode. Manual mode maybe a headache for me if I were to use for a group shooting, I'll need to trail & error. The model can't pose there for me to get my correct setting, and then my group mate will stare at me :sweat:.



Thanks. I&#8217;ll take note of that. I&#8217;m still learning ... :sweat:

i would refrain from using the PAS modes on a compact camera. i usually use manual mode if i need to take a proper shot on my nikon compact.

don't worry abt fiddling with the settings during the shoot. u are there to learn and practice. different ppl different agendas. i think its better to go there learn to shoot properly than to go there and pick up girls like some photogs.

i took 2 of the pic and did some editing to it. of course, pp is not an excuse to take lousy shots though.

 

[eyesonme]

#Z01

OMG.....
no offence...but i feel like crying after seeing that pic. i have never seen myself in tat expression before.

sob

 

[flipfreak]

#Z01

OMG.....
no offence...but i feel like crying after seeing that pic. i have never seen myself in tat expression before.

sob

ya. i love that expression. so candid and cute. :bsmilie:

 

[leejay]

quan, just shoot more. Practise is the word.

 

[Long Thai Bean]

#Z01

OMG.....
no offence...but i feel like crying after seeing that pic. i have never seen myself in tat expression before.

ya. i love that expression. so candid and cute. :bsmilie:

Totally bloated face ... Looks like someone used your face for a boxing practice ... :bsmilie:

I feel sad for you as well ....

 

[deklan]

practice practice practice.
just a little tip or two...
learn to use ur meter.
understand how ur camera works in different scenarios.
and take note of the surrounding, not just ur main subject(in this cases the models) for thing such as reflections, or a TAXI WAITING;p...
and by so also get a proper composition without cutting off limbs awkwardly..
and btw, the S5IS is a nice cam to play with

 

[AristDing]

Are you guys kidding? I seriously think any person on the street with a PnS can get better photos than this. I have friends on facebook who camwhore themselves and still get better photos, both in terms of exposure, composition and colour and pose!

Bokeh is not everything, you can get great pics with the whole picture sharp too what. If you think your camera cannot take pics in dim lighting, being a bridge camrea, then you shouldn't show the pics that were taken in situations that are not favourable to you. Even if it was a group shoot, there would be locations where lighting was sufficient to be used naturally without flash, considering your flash limitation.

I think you need a knock in the head cos I think something's loose in there.

Everyone has to start from somewhere, it's a sad fact that most normal people not born with a silver spoon born in the mouth will definitely be limited by equipment needs when just starting out.

Boken may not be everything, but it never harms to experiment. What's the point of keeping to what's that safe but not venturing out to unknown ground?

Oh, I really suggest you keep to a more polite tone next time, deflate that head a little as well, as you admire your friends' camwhore hauls on their friendster/facebook or whatever that is the in thing today.

 

[bigbird17]

dun bother abt the negative comments learn from them and move on.. i tot they were ok but underexposed quite abit... work on it.. if u know its gonna be tough for ur cam ask them go shoot in the sun

 

[AristDing]

dun bother abt the negative comments learn from them and move on.. i tot they were ok but underexposed quite abit... work on it.. if u know its gonna be tough for ur cam ask them go shoot in the sun

What he needs is a good, nice flash and he'll be able to shoot in the same situation but with a better result.

Though I gotta say, some knowledge of using a flash is required as well.. I myself am still trying to get the full hang of it.

 

[Andies]

I DO NOT agreed with you. I only believe without skills are those who use camera in auto mode. If too dark, the camera prompt you to lift up your flash. Still not enough, prompt you to use tripod, and yet you do not have a tripod at that moment. And ended up getting blur photo due to hand shaking.

no offense to you too ... :sweat:

erm. i am no pro but i can tell u that anyone can take the photos you posted with a point and shoot camera.

 

[flowerpot99]

Have to agree that some of the photos were not flattering or had some problems with it. Seems like there is a lack of focus in some shoots and the metering wasn't there (eg H02). Too dull and in the face flash(eg H03). Also the background seems busy and distracting(eg, H02 had a lamp at her head). Some had legs crop off or addition of stuff that does not add to the photo (eg H01 crop off toe).

Actually I have come from compact (Sony W1) to bridge camera (Panasonic FZ 30, Sony H1) to DSLR (Nikon D40, Panasonic L1). So I sort of understand what the limitations are. For your camera, it is really hard to get the DOF that DSLR can achieve easily (Need to zoom all the way and stand miles away or have a big head shot with the lens zoom right into the face). But it doesn't means that we cannot get sharp and nice pictures when the conditions are right. Just have to accept the limitation and work around it, though sometimes cannot means cannot.

Anyway, for your photo. these are what I though could be wrong (personnel opinion, may not be right)

For H01 - The toes is crop off and it seems like the focus is at the center and not on her face. Also the background seems boring, maybe can crop it to half body shot.

For H02 - The face looks underexposed. System maybe tricked by the bright background at her back. Change to center or spot metering to get the correct brightness. Again focus seems center on her waist.

For H03 - Flash not strong enough. Unable to light her up. could up the flash output some more or increase ISO with the same setting. An add on flash would be good but let's just work with what we have or can afford. Composure looks ok to me.

For S01 - Metering got tricked by her white skirt (extra bright). Maybe could up Exp by abit to compensate or change the metering.

For S02 - Flash too harsh and maybe could shot top down instead or bottom up. Maybe can consider to use the mirror to add interest to the shot.

For S03 - Looks good to me. Just that flash too direct. Can try using a tissue over the flash to diffuse the flash. If not reduce the flash output and up the exp compensation.

For the rest almost the same problem. But I can see that you are getting better as you progress for the day. Just keep shooting and you know what's your style. For PP, I think maybe you could give Picasa 3 a try. I do not know how to use PS too , too difficult. A good shot only reduces the amount of PP we need to do but we should not let our Ego get in our way from making a good shot to a better shot through PP. A bridge camera have enough limitations already, PP only makes it more manageable. Keep shooting.

 

[flipfreak]

erm. i am no pro but i can tell u that anyone can take the photos you posted with a point and shoot camera.

FYI, he IS using a pns camera. :bsmilie:

 

[bigbird17]

erm. i am no pro but i can tell u that anyone can take the photos you posted with a point and shoot camera.

pls refrain from these sort of comments. can you shoot better than him in that situation? does it mean you can shoot better with a DSLR? FYI the previous CFM one of the winner used a PnS. lets help him !!!