Portraits for C and C

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Archive 2008 · Portraits for C and C

bugspit
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p.1 #1 · Portraits for C and C

I took a few of my son today and I posted them for comments. It was crowded with lots of people walking by so I had to make it quick. Any suggestions or tips either on the shots or PPing would be greatly appreciated.

Shot with a Canon 30D and 50 1.8.

1.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Thanks for looking!

Nov 19, 2008 at 11:06 PM

Cinepixtor Media
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p.1 #2 · Portraits for C and C

For starters, try shooting at f/2.0 thru f2.5 next time and see if you like the results. It blurs the background (would have been usefull in shot #2) and will give the portrait a more pleasing feel. Practice, practice, practice! Best of luck. hopefully others will chime in with the suggestions also.

Nov 20, 2008 at 12:56 AM

Steady Hand
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p.1 #3 · Portraits for C and C

Hi.

My Simple Observation: The images have different backgrounds, yet the expression appears almost the same in all images.

My Simple Suggestion: Concentrate on getting more/different expressions and less on getting different backgrounds. That will make for much more interesting images and more "memorable" and "unique" images to keep for a family or individual.

I hope these suggestions help you and others.

Nov 20, 2008 at 02:06 AM

bugspit
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p.1 #4 · Portraits for C and C

Darryl - Thank you for the comments. I usually shoot around 2.8 always seem to miss focus when I go lower, but this time I tried something different. I shot these at around F6. I do wish I shot more open on these.

Steady - Thank you for the look and comments. I was walking an outdoor mall and was basically trying to find places that I can maybe take portraits at for a later date. My son/model was getting bored with the camera thing so I had to make do. As far as the expression the same, I have had trouble directing poses, especially with young ones. Any suggestions?

Nov 20, 2008 at 05:09 AM

bobmiller
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p.1 #5 · Portraits for C and C

Try turning the subject, or shoot from an angle to the subject. Seems all shots are from straight on. This looks to be a promising location!

Nov 20, 2008 at 06:03 AM

HeatherCKing
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p.1 #6 · Portraits for C and C

sweet looking kid : )

Nov 20, 2008 at 10:11 AM

TheDoc65
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p.1 #7 · Portraits for C and C

I like the first two, though I agree #2 would have looked better wider open. It is odd, but shot 1,2,and 4 I found myself wanting your son to be higher on the backgrounds. I found the blue door and the leaves nice, but they ran out half way down the picture and gave way to less interesting backgrounds.

What settings did you shoot these at?

Nov 20, 2008 at 05:57 PM

Cinepixtor Media
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p.1 #8 · Portraits for C and C

bugspit wrote:
Darryl - Thank you for the comments. I usually shoot around 2.8 always seem to miss focus when I go lower, but this time I tried something different. I shot these at around F6. I do wish I shot more open on these.

With that lens and the available light you had in these pics, you should have no problem hand holding and taking sharp pictures at 2.0 and above. Practice your body positioning and the way you hold your camera to make sure you're stable... try holding your breath right before you press the shutter. Perhaps even try using a monopod.

Nov 20, 2008 at 07:58 PM

bugspit
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p.1 #9 · Portraits for C and C

Thanks for the tips Darryl, thats why I enjoy posting here. I have a lot to learn on poper posture and hand holding my camera. Do you have any suggestions or links that can show me a technically sound way?

Nov 20, 2008 at 09:31 PM

Cinepixtor Media
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p.1 #10 · Portraits for C and C

Try this...

http://knol.google.com/k/vesna-kozelj/how-to-hold-the-camera-with-your-hands/3k0expg5xjecw/2#

Nov 22, 2008 at 12:17 AM

Jim Rickards
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p.1 #11 · Portraits for C and C

You posted 4 pics. 3 were shot at f6.3, all with backgrounds a distance away. One (#2) was shot at f2.8, but that one had the background surrounding the subject - the same distance away - so no chance to blur the background.

Note - this blur the background note is LESS important than the expressions comment by Steady. Fix the expressions first.

Nov 22, 2008 at 01:22 AM

bugspit
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p.1 #12 · Portraits for C and C

Darryl - Thanks for the link, I already started using some of those techniques today.
Jim - Thanks for looking and the comments. I mistakenly used 6.3 after I read a book by Scott Kelby saying that F11 is the ticket one shooting portraits. I personally prefer to shoot more open. I am also working on posing the people I shoot, but this was a spur of the moment thing for practice and after many shots my son was getting bored.

I appreciate the help from both of you guys.

Nov 22, 2008 at 08:35 PM

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