Need help with portraits/headshots

[AliasMoze]

http://www.moserbrothers.com/daf/headshottest01.jpg
http://www.moserbrothers.com/daf/headshottest02.jpg

These shots are of my sister-in-law, an attress, who wants to experiment with headshots. I used what I had, a DRebel and the kit lens and a Jumbo sized car reflector. I shot late in the afternoon.

I have little experience with portraits, and I'm not sure if these shots work as either portraits or headshots. Plus, I think I may need a good portraits lens to get a shallower depth of field. I shot zoomed in all the way, which limited my options. Do you think I could shoot with a more "normal" focal length?

Anyway, I'm looking for feedback and advice on improving. I'm also looking for lens recommendations, from the affordable to the not-as-affordable.

Thanks.

[stopbath]

Very good start, but a few things you might consider:
In the first shot, her nose has hardly any shadow or highlight. There is no definition like the second shot.
The landscape format is lost on the first shot. I see no reason to include the tree. Perhaps we could see her actually sitting on the fence. Try several more here, the setting is very nice.

Second. Parked cars are blah! Top of her head is cropped (intended?) Tighten the crop from the bottom, and it seems better.

Both pictures have pretty well the same expression, but the second one seems a bit forced (perhaps as she's smiling over her shoulder?)

I like the first one better, as the fence in the back ground lends a 'down to earth' feel (combined with her shirt which looks like denim.)

The lighting is nice and soft, perhaps a bit too soft? Also the sunlit hair is washed out.

[AliasMoze]

stopbath, thanks.

I agree about the definition. One of my lighting problems is figuring out how to get softer light AND some definition. The cropping in the second one is intended, but you're not wrong, as you're the third person to point it out :) But I think I did that for some reason in Photoshop.

Thanks for your advice. I'm taking note and will try to improve next session :)

[stopbath]

AliasMoze wrote:
stopbath, thanks.

I agree about the definition. One of my lighting problems is figuring out how to get softer light AND some definition. The cropping in the second one is intended, but you're not wrong, as you're the third person to point it out :) But I think I did that for some reason in Photoshop.

Thanks for your advice. I'm taking note and will try to improve next session :)
Looking at the first shot again, I see that she has more shadow under right eye from her nose than she does on the left. Given that the sun is on her right, this would be that your reflector was too close or strong. Try with different angles and distances so that your fill light does not compete with the main source of light.

Generally, the main light is more powerful, and the fill light just fills the shadows with a touch of detail. Experiment, experiment, experiment. Check your library for any books that may help.

Have fun.