Lack of portrait skill that even Photoshop could not save

**sgelb** · 18-Sep-2009, 08:52

you need an overcast situation to get the same even diffused exposure.

**ic-racer** · 19-Sep-2009, 06:56

In the digital age we need 2 pages to detect an underexposed negative?

**nathanm** · 19-Sep-2009, 08:29

Of course Henry, retouching was not the original question, it was how to shoot it better next time. Thanks everyone for your help!

**Ben Syverson** · 23-Sep-2009, 09:41

I would bring them a bit closer to the camera. They're further away in the second photo. Also, in the second photo, they're rotated in a bit. It looks more natural and casual, which is the problem. They're quite rigid and front-facing in the first one, which is what gives it the "American Gothic" flavor you're looking for.

And yes, of course the light is all wrong. But in my opinion, the real issues are the blocking and posing.