Your thoughts on Senior Portraits

I know this is Wedding and social event, but it's the best forum to post this

in. Click on this link http://www.jonathanjonesphotography.ifp3.com then

gallery then Senior portraits let me know if you like any and what I should

change. Thanks

I think the shots are ok overall, with a few soft ones here and there, and some minor lighting glitches... but good overall. What made me not want to look was the imposing splash screen with your name in the beginning and the pop-up 'about me' box after i took longer than i like to getting 'in' the site in the first place. I think that you could include a bio section that people could choose to look at or not, but i think you should let the images you present speak for themselves to generate that interest.

 

-e-

The shots to me look decent to me at best. None were horrible, but none of them got me to take a second look, either. Honestly, the site design was so wacky, it left a bad taste in my mouth before I even found the pictures...

 

keep shooting!

Never saw the pictures. Your site is terrible. Firt, why do I need to click a link to enter your site? I have a 3 meg broadband connection. If it doesn't load in 5 seconds, see-ya!

Well, your site loaded super fast for me. But, since you didn't ask for a website critique I actually looked at your pics. :) I think that they are okay. You need to work on learning different poses, or at least learn how to make one pose look like many different ones by moving around, changing the camera from vertical to horizontal, etc. This girl looks like she is in pain in a few of them, and I completely understand that there are some seniors you just can't do much with, but maybe next time have her do something. Having a friend, or a pet, or something there can often help them relax. Keep trying! You'll get there. (I think - I've been trying for awhile too)

Thanks for your input ...this forum pushes me to a higher level. I respect everyone here and know I have a long way to go. The soft focus is a bit to much I used a Diff filter on a 50mm MF lens with fill flash. Sorry for the site it's done by ifp3 and serves me fine for now.

The shots are ok...but too many hand to chin...that gets old. Come in closer to the subject. Try some dynamic poses/shots.

 

Dave

Hi Jonathan,

<p>

In regards to your senior photographs... the photographs are well-exposed, pretty nice... I

think they're just a little flat. The B&Ws are flat tonally (too muddy), and the posing itself

just seemed a bit stiff. Work toward getting a more fluid body position from your subject.

It can be REALLY tough, but it's well worth it in the end!

<p>

I don't do a lot of senior portraiture, but when I do I shoot for groups of at least 3 students

at a time. It maximizes my time, for one. And the kids seem to feel more relaxed and

natural when they're with friends. It's a lot easier to get one of them to laugh when their

friend is behind me making faces!

<p>

As for all the flack you're getting about your website... sorry! But I pretty much felt the

same way when I logged on. It's SO overwhelming, I didn't know where to click, wasn't

sure what I was looking at, etc.

<p>

Web design is uber-expensive, which is usually why most people have something kind of

crappy to start.

<p>

I suggest that you look into <a href="http://www.simplephoto.com">SimplePhoto</a>.

They provide online proofing as well as a free website template with every membership.

We are currently using their template and their online proofing services, and we've been

really happy with it overall. Visit our site <a href="http://

www.almasyvisualarts.com">HERE</a>; the Image Gallery link takes you to the login page

for purchasing, and we have some additional portfolios listed there as well.

<p>

It's no LiveBooks, but it's also not $1500! Definitely worth a look.

<p>

Keep at it! You're definitely going somewhere...

<p>

-Anne

Thanks Anne,

 

I have spent a lot of time on Photojournalism and now need to work on doing Portraits. It's a big change and posing people is an art in it's self. As for the site it will have to get me by for now.

Hi Jonathan,

 

Lose the flash. It's slow to load and prevents - or at least delays - people viewing your images. It smacks of self endulgence. Your images are not bad. But the b&w are a bit flat. You can't simply desaturate a color image and have it pop.

 

Regards,

 

Phil