First Portrait and candid photo need help

[tazmamar]

First Portrait and candid photo with my new lens. My portrait are not to the quality
I want them, admittedly the only light source I used was a florescent lamp and flash.
Need suggestion in how I can improve my technique to get good portrait photos.

My new lens are
Canon EF 70-200 F/4.0L USM
Tamron 28-75 F/2.8

[SanderH]

Lenses are very ok. Both give you enough control over aperture thus DOF.
#1 is a very good photo telling a story. Both kids are in focus and the BG nicely OOF.

Using a fluorescent lamp is OK to use. Do not use regular bulbs because you will have trouble with the 50 or 60 Hz alternating current from the mains net. Regular bulbs flash at 50 or 60 Hz depending on where you are. This means that you actually do not have control over the light! If you have for example 1/200 sec shutter speed while the light pulses at 1/50s chances are that a the time you make the exposure the light is at its darkest... and your shot will be underexposed. Or it will get overexposed if you are at the peak brightness. You can't know.

Using a TL light will not show this effect as strongly. You will have to keep the white balance in mind and correct for it. Best of course is to use studio lights or multiple flashers.

The protraitees look like they had fun! That's good. I think you need a background. Something simple that contrasts the faces. Also make sure that the subjects are not too close to the background. Placing your subjects further from the BG will allow you to place the BG out of the focus area so it becomes OOF and blurry. It will also reduce/diffuse the shadows a bit.

[tazmamar]

Thanks Sander I will use your suggestions

[Jon, The Elder]

I agree with and can't add to Sanders comments.

You are fortunate to have fun subjects to work with. The candids will be enjoyed long after more formal shots have been put away.

www.pbase.com/jpferguson