Does the sun behind the subjects look good or bad in these photographs?

Question

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/OrderPage.aspx?pi=0IBZ001B000074&po=75&c= you might have to copy and paste into the URL bar to get to these pictures or just go to www.photographybyjoyelle.photoreflect.com and click on "Durdin Family and horses" and scroll down a little til you see the couple on the bench with the sun behind them. once you get there click the right arrows to see more. thank you for your opinion

Answer 1

I only like the black and white photos. The sun, in these black and whites, gives a glowing effect to the people in the pics that looks warm and full of life.

Answer 2

One problem with the photos is that the photographer should have moved around a bit more. The photographer should have bent down on his knees so that the couple has a more commanding presence in the photos, rather than the way it is now where the photographer is looking down on the couple.

A second problem is a result of the sun behind them issue.
Although this is a nice effect, it also washes out the color in their faces. This can be color corrected in the printing to a certain extent but the photographer would have been wise to use a fill flash or a reflective disc to put more light on the foreground
which is blocked from the light.

P.S. I haven't looked through all of them. There may be some where this was done.

Answer 3

Sun was a little strong for this photo session. However, using a reflector, set off to the left or right side, would have bounced back light onto the subject and opened up the faces to balance out the shot . I'm sure you noticed the flare in some photos. The sun can be tough to work with sometimes, but reflectors and fill flash can usually over come this. I'd like to add that photo 109 (father and daughter) is really nice work. I am a retired pro photographer who has worked in news, studio and location photography.

Answer 4

Any fully adjustable camera can do that. What is important are you skills using those cameras From you question it is clear you have yet to learn some of the fundamentals of photography Why? Shooting professional photographs takes years of both education and experience. Shooting the dew on leaves will require a special lens. Those lenses are called macro lenses and usually cost more than an entry level dSLR. Shooting landscapes requires a wide angle lens, again they cost more than the camera You can start the process of learning how to use a fully adjustable camera by purchasing a Nikon D3200 or Canon 600D/T3i with the standard 18-55 mm lens that is included in their cost (under $700)

Answer 5

I would say that the best by far is the photo of the man with the Little girl on his knee with her looking away. They're nice. There is some sun glare on some shots which is a shame but the sun behind is nice. If you have the chance to take some shots like that again then try using a brighter fill flash to brighten the faces of the couple. But they are nice photos.

Answer 6

The link took me to an specific photo and I really like the effect on the sun on that one. Even that it's a back lighted photo, their faces are very visible and you didn't have a problem with the shadows.

Great job,

Rocke

Answer 7

I like the sun pictures with the children sitting with parents. However, there is one that the sun is too bright that the coloring behind is toooo green. That is one with the couple only.

PS: very nice looking family.

Answer 8

I found the sun caused glare on your lens and so on the lens translated it to your finished photo.The light from the sun should be less intense in few photograph, I think.

Answer 9

I'm no great critic, and don't have much of an eye for these things, but the one thing that struck me was the sunspots on some of the pics. I think it was a little distracting. Not sure if you can get rid of that or not.

Answer 10

A lot these I think the sun helps...the ones that don't work so well is where the flare is most noticible and doesn't serve any visual purpose.