Just starting out - First 2 shots

[Fizzler]

I have started to take photography seriously. Everything was auto or point and click up to this point.

I recently bought a T2i and started to read up and am shooting in manually 95% of the time. It forces me to understand exposure etc. I am still learning but I am sure we all could say that! I just picked up the 70-200mm f/4L IS. I love this lens!

My son came home from church this weekend and on his way to change out of his Sunday best I grabbed him and took a few quick shots. I put up a white sheet, 2 shoot through umbrella speedlites on either side of him. I had a third speedlite but did not have time to set it up as I only had a few minutes so the background is not lit. I was attempting a high key shot. I almost got it the background could be whiter.

Here are my first 2 attempts at photography. I have the itch!

A little PP. He was eating an Oreo I had some crumbs to remove. A little bit of spot healing as well.

http://www.majolese.com/uploaded_images/20110227-IMG_3223.jpg
http://www.majolese.com/uploaded_images/20110227-IMG_3243.jpg

I would love to hear your feedback and any advice!

Thank You

[Fizzler]

In Hindsight this post might have been better off in the critique section.

[blondine]

Great images! love the expression in #1, he looks like he is a lot of fun to shoot....2nd one is wonderful, he has a very captivating smile.

the only thing I would have worked on a little is the background... well done anyways!

[suecassidy]

That second shot is dynamite! Love the expression, nicely done.

[macroshooter1970]

Looks like you're off to a good start.

[lookingforaname]

I'm not sure I would classify these as high key . . . nevertheless, I do like especially the more serious one, and think it is well composed and lit. The silly face looks a little bright/overexposed, and almost like the white balance is not quite right?

[japearson2]

My Lord - that second shot is stunning! I would love to see it with a nice black and white conversion.
Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer

[Fizzler]

thank you very much for the comments.

He is wonderful to shoot. Having a great subject sure does make it easier :)

lookingforaname you have it spot on. they were both lit the same but I was trying to over expose the sillier one to see if I could get more of a high key look but was unable to. If I lit the background I might have had better luck. A learning experience for sure. It would be no fun otherwise!

I actually prefer the original lighting on the silly picture. I am very partial to that picture as my son is always working on what he calls his Elvis smile. He is never able to pull off the lip curl.