My first portrait shots

12 years 9 months ago - 12 years 9 months ago #99251 by Richmorrisphotography
Hi all

I have attached a few shots i took recently, this is the first time i have taken portraits and would like some feedback on how i can improve?

All help would be great.

thanks

Rich


Attachments:
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12 years 9 months ago #99279 by ruth_anne_b
the second photo is a little soft around the eyes, but i love the composition, the subject is beautiful. great shots!

Ruth anne Baker
Photos by Ruth anne
www.photosbyruthanne.com

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12 years 9 months ago #99283 by chasrich
Number one has the right eye in sharp focus. I'm told that is an important place to focus on and I can see why in this photo. Photo two is a little soft. Were you too close for the lens? I think backing up just a bit might be the key then crop in close to fill the frame. I like your little model. Go back and shoot that butterfly again. :thumbsup:

“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
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12 years 9 months ago #99317 by Dori
Cute! What a wonderful smile!

Don't pi$$ me off, I am running out of room to store the bodies...

Resident Texasotan...

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12 years 9 months ago #99323 by Johnnie
I like your subject matter .. Very Cute Child! Your second photo is soft like the others have mentioned. Nice composition.


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12 years 9 months ago - 12 years 9 months ago #99517 by Shadowfixer1
Fist image - Crop out the bright area on the lower left. There is no information on the left side of the image anyway. This hot spot is very distracting. The color is good and the one eye is nice and sharp. I don't like the object in the lower right. It's a tough call on cropping it out since that gets into the eye.

Second image - Nice color and composition. The big problem is the one everyone is pointing out. An image can be soft, but at least one or both eyes must be sharp.
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12 years 9 months ago #102799 by mstrozewski
practice, practice & practice some more! That'll make you better..its the best way to improve. What you can do is start on some basic techniques and then get more creative. - low angles, high angles, 2/3's rule...second one is cute, but agreed, soft around the eyes...the eyes is where the focus should be at all times! Good luck!


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12 years 9 months ago #107370 by lucky1one
I think you did an admirable job, considering that it was your first attempt. Good composition on the second shot. Unfortunately, nothing is in focus. For the first shot, I would recompose by taking a small step to the left and pan the camera to the right in order to capture more of the left side of her face and cropping out what appears to part of a chair.


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12 years 9 months ago #107372 by The Time Capturer
Aside from the focussing mentioned, I really can't suggest anything else. Great captures ... especially for a first attempt! :)

Sure, practice makes perfect but, unless you learn from your mistakes, you are only perfecting your ability to fail.
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12 years 9 months ago - 12 years 9 months ago #107375 by Stealthy Ninja
Seems to me your lens is front focusing (assuming you used a correct focusing technique).

Even the first shot missed focus slightly. If you look at it the focus is on the eyelash and not the iris. Picky i know, but a good portrait is all about connecting with the eye (the window to the soul so to speak) and sharp eyes are pretty darned important. Have the eyes sharp and you're 1/2 way there.

Also watch your light. You're getting some hot spots (over bright areas) in the background.

Now, I'll ignore that... be nice and say....

Good job. Keep at it.

BTW here's a tip. Don't focus and recompose if you can help it. Instead, frame the picture the way you like, then move your focus point to the eye. This stops the focus plane shifting, because you're not moving the lens after composing.

Also, use AI Servo (since you a Canon). For Nikon users this is "C" focusing mode. This will help adjust for any slight movements you might have (YMMV depending on camera).
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12 years 9 months ago #107378 by icepics
I like the way the first one seems to be sort of peeking up at the camera, you really got her personality. I can see where it might help to edit that lower left corner, but if you crop too much you might 'lose' her curls! Guess it takes some playing around w/editing to find a good balance. You got some great perspective I think.

Sharon
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12 years 9 months ago #109146 by Kenya See

Johnnie wrote: I like your subject matter .. Very Cute Child! Your second photo is soft like the others have mentioned. Nice composition.

:agree:


Over all lovely work


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