I'm very new to portrait photography, but would like to learn and improve my skills. I don't have much in lighting setup. This was shot using CGardner's DIY hot-shoe flash diffuser and a plastic milk bottle diffuser for the D90's built in flash.
Hey John, this is great for someone new to portrait photography I agree with Walter that the second image looks softer. It also looks a little more underexposed to me then the first. I might suggest next time you do a shoot to have your model wear a top that contrasts a bit more with the background. Otherwise, I really like the expression and the pose of the first image a lot.
While there is something to be said for a soft conversion, I think these are both lacking in whites and blacks, which makes the image feel a bit muddy.
Great shots for a first effort. PP I'd defintely bring out the contrast range. don't crush too much, and avoid losing highlights, but just expand the tonal range. I like the first one the best, also, maybe play with th B+W conversion.
I think it would have been nice to see her either looking more OC or right into the frame, but that's composition for yah
Yes, flat and muddy refer to the lack of contrast.
Soft and blurry would refer to sharpness.
Sometimes long-time photographer get caught up using words they've used for ages and forget that not EVERYONE knows what the %^# they're talking about!
I agree with Walter that the second image looks softer. It also looks a little more underexposed to me then the first. I might suggest next time you do a shoot to have your model wear a top that contrasts a bit more with the background. Otherwise, I really like the expression and the pose of the first image a lot.