My first pictures .

[sebastiantm]

These are my first pictures taken 1 month ago with my kit lenses. Now I have 2 new lenses (50mm - f1.8 and 85 mm - f1.8) but no pictures with them yet. Natural light without anything else.
Plese help me improve my techique. Comments and adviceses please.
My girlfriend

[terrace]

Her eyes are looking away in every image.
practice makes perfect! keep shooting and keep getting more familiar with your camera settings, what they do, how to manipulate them, etc. There are a number of books and videos to help learn composition and lighting, and posing, and photoshop etc. Read up on ways to improve your images and keep us posted on your progress.

[SamBeasley]

First lemme say your girlfriend's very pretty.

With all three of these, I don't really see them as glamour. Of course, you could've been going for something else. I could see these more like portraits, but even so, with all three I don't see that extra something that makes them stand out to me. The first one especially -- all I see there is a girl drinking from a fountain. The third one feels like you're getting closer -- I get more of a sense of a feeling, a mood -- but I feel like the composition's off... the good ol' rule of thirds could be helpful here.

Technically, the first two are flat, and the background in the second one's completely blown out, so be sure to watch your exposures, too (things like that sometimes bother me, sometimes not, so that's pretty subjective, but I think even just a hint of some detail would be nice here).

Not trying to sound bad with anything, just helpful. I agree with Terrace, there are lots of good books and things out there to try. That's how I learned most of what little I know up to this point. Workshops are great too. Keep at it, and keep postin'!

Sam



This Rule 10 image has plenty of problems too, but it's the only one I could find right now that's even remotely relevant here.

[sebastiantm]

Her eyes are looking away in every image.
practice makes perfect! keep shooting and keep getting more familiar with your camera settings, what they do, how to manipulate them, etc. There are a number of books and videos to help learn composition and lighting, and posing, and photoshop etc. Read up on ways to improve your images and keep us posted on your progress.
Thank You Terrace for your suggestions. And YES you are wright !- I didn't noticed that her eyes are looking away in every image. ! Good Point ! Her eyes should "touch" my soul.
Sorry for my english...I need to improve this too :-)

[terrace]

you are very welcome for the comments. Looking forward to seeing more of your work (and more of your pretty girlfriend in your pics!)

[sebastiantm]

First lemme say your girlfriend's very pretty.
With all three of these, I don't really see them as glamour. Of course, you could've been going for something else. I could see these more like portraits, but even so, with all three I don't see that extra something that makes them stand out to me. The first one especially -- all I see there is a girl drinking from a fountain. The third one feels like you're getting closer -- I get more of a sense of a feeling, a mood -- but I feel like the composition's off... the good ol' rule of thirds could be helpful here.
Technically, the first two are flat, and the background in the second one's completely blown out, so be sure to watch your exposures, too (things like that sometimes bother me, sometimes not, so that's pretty subjective, but I think even just a hint of some detail would be nice here).
Not trying to sound bad with anything, just helpful. I agree with Terrace, there are lots of good books and things out there to try. That's how I learned most of what little I know up to this point. Workshops are great too. Keep at it, and keep postin'!
Sam
Thank You Sam - very kind of you to take time to tell me your honest opinion. I rather accept critiques than "no opinion".
I think I get the picture about what "Glamour" should be . And Nooo !! My pictures aren't in that sector I'll try my best next time.
Unfortunately I'm from a country (East Europe) in witch photo workshops are about to zero, and about the books...only If I by from USA. ( but most of the e-shops from USA don't make deliveries here. Neither B&H). So I'll stay on the internet and read everything that I find. :-) And practice a LOT!
Hope to post some better picture soon.

[SamBeasley]

Originally Posted by sebastiantm

Thank You Sam - very kind of you to take time to tell me your honest opinion. I rather accept critiques than "no opinion".
I think I get the picture about what "Glamour" should be . And Nooo !! My pictures aren't in that sector

Sorry man, I seriously wasn't trying to insult your intelligence or anything like that. Portraits are great here too! Heck I'm on this site every day and I haven't even been shooting glamour lately, not since January.

That sucks about the lack of resources you have as far as books and workshops and all, but hopefully you can find what you need on the Internet. Hey, that's what this site's for, too. But for books, Amazon.com apparently ships to lots of destinations outside the U.S.

Take care, and look forward to more pictures!

Sam

[sebastiantm]

Sam, I wasn't insulted :-)
I really apreciate that you wrote me !

Can you please recommend me some nice books ?
Thanks'!

[SamBeasley]

Here's some books I have that have been helpful to me:

Beginner's Guide to Photographic Lighting: Techniques for Success in the Studio or on Location

Lighting for People Photography

Both of the above books are great for learning the basics. The second one gets into more detail than the first, and it has assignments at the end of the chapters to learn certain techniques better. Be forewarned though that it some of the assignments in the book are specific to film (as a matter of fact, I don't think the book mentions digital at all), but they can be adapted to digital, and everything in there is good to know, whether you shoot film or digital.

Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers is an excellent book, but it mainly deals with studio lighting.

Outdoor Lighting: Fashion & Glamour is great for ideas for outdoor shots.

That oughtta get you started. Have a good one!

Sam

[sebastiantm]

Thank you Sam ! I'll buy the all :-) Soon !