Hi,

These are a few of my shots. I just learned about digital slr photography in mid-October so I'm pretty new at this. I've been told that all I'm doing is taking snapshots that almost anyone with a dslr can do, so I would love to get some critique and find out how to get to the next level!









I don't have a studio nor do I plan on having one. Also, I'm interested in the use of natural light. Thanks!

Meagan,
Welcome to FM and the Critique Forum. A great place to learn.
Some thoughts about these images.
You are capturing some great expressions. You've got some great "subjects" to shoot.
Most "portraits" work best shot closer to eye level and with eye contact wth the photographer. #4 captures the eye contact well.
When the subject is looking away from the camera, you might want to have an actual or subject that they are looking toward (eg a toy, a puppy entering the scene, someone running toward them with open arms, etc).
It's crucial that focus on the eyes be sharp, so you will have to make sure you have adequately fast shutter speed, or a relatively still subject, and that the focus point is on the eyes. 1 and 2 are "soft", 3 and 4 better. You might be able to add some sharpness to the images in post-processing (essential skills for the advancing digital photographer) using Photoshop Elements or Lightroom as starting points.
Exposures look good in each image. I'm assuming you are working with auto settings. As you r compositional skills improve, you might eventually move to the "creative zone" settings (eg aperture priority, shutter priority).
Try not to cut off limbs. The little girl in 1 appears handless. Framing closer to head and shoulders, or including more of her would work.

I'm sure others could and hopefully will add in some more pointers.

Keep shooting, work on a few points like above, then show us some more. Add EXIF data to your posts (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focal lenghth) so that you can get additional technical advice. Study your own images, those of others here and on the People Forum to see what others are dong and what improvements you might make. And have fun!

Scott

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm actual shooting in maual with an apeture around 4.5 and a shutter speed around 150. Would you suggest I use a different mode?

Awesome subjects with fantastic expressions.

Overall I would say that you should make the faces bigger in the pictures and get the eyes to look at the lens. Try to get the head a bit off centred and eyes at 1/3 down.

To answer the last question. Rule of thumb is shutter faster than 1/250 or 1/effective mm of lens or 1/750 for sports. I think aperature priority is easiest and best for candids like this. That way you constantly choose the depth - wide open for bokeh and f11 for big depth and adjust ISO to make sure the shutter is fast enough. Also the rule of thumb is between 50mm and 125mm is best for candids outside because you can get close without intimidating.

These are great expressions, I hope to see more (with tighter frame and eyes on you). Scott

Hold the camera straight

Great expressions but why the angles?

What's wrong with the angles? Granted, the same angle was used for 3 out of the 4 shots but in my opinion, it adds a bit of interest to the composition. I would, however, suggest not using it for all of your portrait shots.