Pls critique child portraits

[rodb]

After a couple weeks of playing with my new toys, I'd be interested in your recommendations on how to improve these three pics:

http://www.employees.org/~rodbrown/gallery/030208-22a--leah-cornelia-playing.htm
(I know I need to edit out my wife's noisy PJs on the right side)

http://www.employees.org/~rodbrown/gallery/030208-35a--leah-cornelia-bath.htm

http://www.employees.org/~rodbrown/gallery/030208-37c--leah-cornelia-bath.htm
(I think my wife may be slightly out of focus)

Thanks,
Rod

[Leighow]

ROB

I am not a portrait guy, but others are, and I am shure that they will comment more (see Mitch's work and Eland's tips, and other recent baby shots).

The one shot that works for me is the 3rd one. I like the diagonal line from Mom to child. Just sharpen a bit and your wife will look even better. This imiage has love, life and family all over it.

Implied in these comments are generic image issues.. color.. composition (line, frame, subject, etc).
*How would you plan a face on shot ?
*How would you plan a shot in the yard? in the carriage ? on the couch? etc.

Working through the alternatives will take some thought and examination -- perhaps of what others have done well and have passed on. Not to be copied, but as ideas re what is possible (lighting.. soft focus...shadows...DOF, etc).

HOWIE

[slejhamer]

Rod,

Never refer to your wife as being out of focus, no matter how much you disagree on a subject. At least you didn't say she's not very sharp!

Some thoughts after seeing these and the other shots of your darling daughter:

First, pay close attention to your backgrounds and try to avoid distractions. The doorframe behind her head in the two "smiling" shots is an example. On the other hand, the busy kitchen background in "prunes" sets the scene nicely, in my opinion.

The angle of the towel shot is odd, and I'm not sure I'd consider it more than a record shot.

Was your wife moving in the last shot? Hard to tell, but as Howie noted a little sharpening in Photoshop would help.

I see in your exif data that you use an external flash. I assume you are bouncing one of the Canon EX flashes, as it shows E-TTL. You might want to experiment with faster shutter speeds in Tv mode, as you seem to consistently get 1/60s in P mode. The flash should give you plenty of light for 1/100s or faster, which would help freeze a quickly moving toddler (or wife).

Good job getting down at the child's level. From what I've read on formal portrait photography (on another site) it is generally best to have the lens roughly at eye level so as not to exaggerate the subject's size.

Hope that is helpful!

[rodb]

Thanks for the useful feedback, Howie and Mitch.

Rod