Originally posted by lovemehate Yeah I really want to relearn this properly. so I was trying to stick to only M
I used the lens kit for those shots,
some reason I cannot open the raw files In any other program other then Pentax utility , but thats another issue for another day.
I guess I want the colors to look deeper, I tried a few settings to let more light in but It made it too washed out.
Keep in mind that I don't know a lot about this kind of photography. But some basics:
You want contrast, so make sure you maximize it to start with. Use a lens hood. With the kit lens, try to stay between 24 and 40mm, f8-f11, and a low ISO. Be careful of overexposure. The second photo is overexposed, and no processing technique can recover detail in the hands or shoulder. Unimportant parts of the image can be overexposed for effect but usually not the model. Shutter speed should be a little faster to freeze motion, something like 1/125.
Watch the histogram for exposure, don't assume the camera's meter is always right. For subjects with a lot of red or blue, use the RGB histogram to make sure the red or blue channels aren't overexposed individually. Set a white balance, because the histograms are based on the preview, which is based on the JPG, which uses the camera's WB. If the auto WB is really off your histogram can be off too.
The mode is not terribly important. It is just a way to get the camera to use values that work for your photo. If the camera says f10, 1/40, ISO 100, you should be thinking "I can go to f8, ISO 200 and that will allow a shutter speed of 1/125" (I think). You'd have to stare hard to find differences between ISO 100 and 200, and they can be adjusted for in processing, but if the model just sways a bit, 1/40 is too slow to get a sharp shot.
It can be really difficult/impossible to get professional-grade results without controlling the lighting like they do. Even a reflector would be useful. Maybe some advance scouting of the location might help. At least, pay attention to the sun angle and position. Remember the details or even keep notes, so you can learn from the inevitable mistakes.
I think the first shot just needs some curves to boost contrast. Only the silver bracelet is partly overexposed. With a RAW image, you should be able to get that looking better.