People Maternity shots - critique appreciated

AndrewShirley · 03-31-2012, 05:06 PM

Hi guys. Today was my first Maternity shoot and here are the first four processed...

Using my Pentax K-5 with Sigma 17-50/2.8 HSM OS and FA 50/1.5.

I would appreciate any feedback, critique, and suggestions.

- Andrew

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slackercruster · 03-31-2012, 05:42 PM

They are OK. Good first try!

Background and some areas are burnt out. If you like em that way OK.

Maybe try a longer lens? Some grain effect?

They are not that sharp, but maybe soft focus is better for such things.

Keep blasting away and send in more!

**LaurenOE** · 03-31-2012, 05:51 PM - **1 Like**

I don't understand Maternity shots. I don't know the emotion I am supposed to have when I look at them. On one hand, I look at them and say "Great....." and the other hand, I look at them and say "Great......".

So, my critique is - Tell me something about what this pregnancy means to you as the photographer or what it means to the mother. Give me a context, emotional or otherwise.

Joy? Sadness? Pain?

Without a context, it's just a white woman, behind a white sheet, producing another human.

Technically, I would change the lighting and not put the light behind the sheet. I would soften things up a bit. I would try and get some smooth skin tones and find something personable.

fg-one · 04-01-2012, 12:39 AM

I think such a topic as maternity would benefit from softer lighting. It looks agressive to the point of making the model's (and the viewer's) eyes blink.

Velja · 04-01-2012, 05:42 AM

The first was my best compositions (even if the pose is already seen DM). The other is the same problem with side illumination (on the cheek - right) photos are completely burned. By using softbox vjetojatno to solve problems?
White background is probably best to choose the color!
regards

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03-31-2012, 05:42 PM	#2
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	They are OK. Good first try! Background and some areas are burnt out. If you like em that way OK. Maybe try a longer lens? Some grain effect? They are not that sharp, but maybe soft focus is better for such things. Keep blasting away and send in more!

03-31-2012, 05:51 PM - 1 Like	#3
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	I don't understand Maternity shots. I don't know the emotion I am supposed to have when I look at them. On one hand, I look at them and say "Great....." and the other hand, I look at them and say "Great......". So, my critique is - Tell me something about what this pregnancy means to you as the photographer or what it means to the mother. Give me a context, emotional or otherwise. Joy? Sadness? Pain? Without a context, it's just a white woman, behind a white sheet, producing another human. Technically, I would change the lighting and not put the light behind the sheet. I would soften things up a bit. I would try and get some smooth skin tones and find something personable.

04-01-2012, 12:39 AM	#4
fg-one Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 293	I think such a topic as maternity would benefit from softer lighting. It looks agressive to the point of making the model's (and the viewer's) eyes blink.

04-01-2012, 05:42 AM	#5
Velja Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Velenje Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 554	The first was my best compositions (even if the pose is already seen DM). The other is the same problem with side illumination (on the cheek - right) photos are completely burned. By using softbox vjetojatno to solve problems? White background is probably best to choose the color! regards