With the American Flag

[colelover178]

A couple shots i took of my girls today with the american flag there are many more but just wanted to post a couple to get some critiques on them. My little one just does not want a picture with her sister together so its hard to get one together and i managed but its not the best still. But let me know what you think please. They seem to have lost a bit of quality because i uploaded them to another site and took them from there because i am on a different pc and i just noticed that.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/colelover178/PP/flag1.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/colelover178/PP/flag2.jpg

[runswithscissors]

Great try and beautiful girls!

Just thought I would let you know that photos like these (with the flag) may cause controversy and offend people.

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#179

Scroll down to section 176 Respect for flag.......its actually surprising to see how often the flag is misrepresented and misused.

I myself would have never had known this except it was pointed out on another board.

As far as CC goes

They do look "flashy" so if possible try to diffuse it. The focus looks soft on these. You can try to sharpen for web if you have the originals......

I myself have been struggling with focus. :( That seems to be a difficult thing for lots of people just starting out.

It would help if you are looking for CC to post your settings. ISO/AP/SS
Two things that I did to help with my focusing is made the move to Back Button Focusing (BBF) and I also figured out that I was going about it all wrong and hitting the shutter release when my camera would beep. I thought that was the GO signal. I have a Pentax and a Nikon and for both there is a symbol in my view finder that shows me when focus is ready. For my pentax its a hexagon that when ready will be steadily lit.........on the Nikon its just a small circle.

Hope this help. I am still new to CC'ing images but I think its vital for learning.

[jerryph]

Politics aside, I think they are well thought out, but that they are in general overexposed. Now this can be caused by someone editing pictures on an uncalibrated monitor.

[colelover178]

i do see now how it is a bit overexposed and not as good quality on my other pc it is focused great on the eyes where it is supposed to be but once i put it on another site and transfered it to this site it lost quality which makes it look a bit out of focus but thanks for the comments and i didnt mean to offend anyone if i did I am all for this country which is why i used the flag to show support but i guess i should check out that page and figure out a different way to use it but i thought these were a cute way. thanks

[coffee]

i do see now how it is a bit overexposed and not as good quality on my other pc it is focused great on the eyes where it is supposed to be but once i put it on another site and transfered it to this site it lost quality which makes it look a bit out of focus but thanks for the comments and i didnt mean to offend anyone if i did I am all for this country which is why i used the flag to show support but i guess i should check out that page and figure out a different way to use it but i thought these were a cute way. thanks

I wouldn't worry about it too much myself. People are way too sensitive these days. I'm sure you used the flag because you are proud, and not for reasons to offend. I think the idea is addorable, and so are the girls. I can't think of a better way to show you care about your girls and country. I wish more people would do this. You have my vote.

[reval8r]

Colelover,
First I would like to say you are really coming along and improving with your photography. The compositions are getting stronger in images. With these images I can see the relationship you have with your children.

The biggest critique I have is more of a challenge for you. I would like to see you work with lighting more creatively. Using on camera flash makes for flat lighting, leaving shadows behind the subjects unless they are a long distance from the background. Sometimes flat lighting is successful, but only if it was used for a specific purpose. Otherwise, it leaves the viewer with the impression that it's a snap-shot.

Bouncing your flash off the ceiling will knock out the shadows; however, the lighting will still be flat. On camera flash is good for a fill light when you’re in a pinch, but generally should be avoided.

I would like to see you try a portrait with one of your daughters using window light. If you have a fairly large window and something to use as a reflector you have a wonderful place to make a beautiful studio quality portrait. This will also help you in learning to see light. All the great painters were masters at using natural light. They had a great eye for seeing light. You have two beautiful subjects that you should never tire of using for practice.

I know children are a challenge for learning portraiture. They are active and hard to keep still, and they tire easily and lose interest. But if you become a good child photographer, I think you can tackle any people photography easily. The biggest tip I can give you for working with children is to have everything ready before you try to bring them in for their photo session. Once you’re ready for them, you’ll have to work fast. Try to make it fun for them; even turning it into a game may help. Also, they don’t have to have smiles to make great images. Pouts and silly faces make for wonderful pictures.

I know you have the stuff to be a good people photographer. You're really coming along and doing greatly. First and foremost I want to give you encouragement. I hope you won’t take this post wrongly as the purpose of this critique is to help and give ideas to think about. Keep snapping those pictures and sharing with us.

Warmest regards,
Larry

[laura]

I think its great that you have used your flag, and are proud of it. Everything is so consumed with politics these days. In england we can't even fly our flag as its not politically correct(it was even fround upon during the World Cup!)We aren't even allowed to call ourselves English - we are British now apparently. Anyway, moaning aside, I think the photos are really nice, you have two very beautiful girls, and I'm sure its difficult to catch a moment where they are not moving. Look forward to seeing more.

[dkippen]

I wouldn't worry to much about the use of the flag in this case either. Considering your situation with hubby in the military, I think this is a wonderful way to honor him and your family.

I think with a little PP, this will really "POP".

[colelover178]

Thanks for the comments everyone and i will definatly work on the lighting and try to get it more natural thanks again

[coffee]

My very lame and fast attempt to give your shots a little depth. Hope you don't mind.

[colelover178]

no i dont mind at all that did make them look better but i wish you had the better quality photos to do that with then it would look awesome i do have to work on post processing but i cant afford photoshop i just use what came with the camera and what was on my pc so im workin with what i have but they do look better color wise and they dont look as over exposed. thank you

[jerryph]

I'll give it a try too, if I may. :)


http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/1/0/0/0/flag1_copy.jpg http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/colelover178/PP/flag1.jpg

[colelover178]

interesting how you did that kinda looks heavenly and dreamy thanks :)