New - Could use some pointers

[CT_Photography]

Hey everyone - a buddy of mine referred me here. I'm pretty new to photography in general - looking for some help with my shots. I think my portraits look "OK" but they're still missing that "edge"... hard to explain.. I want to take it to that next level but I dont know what I need to fix.... editing? composition? lighting? equipment? all of the above?

I shoot with a Canon XSi - and used my 85mm f/1.4 prime... your thoughts?

http://www.claytaylorphotography.com/pics/IMG_0076_edita.jpg

[Glliw]

Sharp image, great focus, nice bokeh. You did a pretty good job I'd say. Let's see some more, ya?

[Palladium]

pretty model

One technique you should be aware of is the "Rule of Thirds" as it applies to photography.

Search here on POTN and Google is your friend

[CT_Photography]

Ok.. here's some more.. I think they're still missing something...

http://www.claytaylorphotography.com/pics/IMG_0007a.jpg

http://www.claytaylorphotography.com/pics/IMG_0043a.jpg

[CT_Photography]

thanks - the model's someone I just met to do pictures for them to help build the port... her name's April.

[Bill Boehme]

I see a fair amount of lens flare which is partly responsible for some loss of contrast. Additionally, the lighting is very flat which further reduces contrast. The lighting needs to be more purposeful in order to create some soft shadows and a wider tonal range so that facial details are better defined. Finally, the focus is not sharp or the DOF is too shallow.

The model needs to work on posing or you should work on supervising her pose. Facing squarely into the camera lens is not a good pose (unless it for a driver's license). The setting in the third image is not good. Being cut off at the waist is bad and the background goes through the middle of her head with the sky being blown out.