First time on portraiture

[jodelak]

A close friend asked me to take pictures of their family. She has seen some of my photos and maybe she liked it. I am still quite a newbie in photography (got my first DSLR 5 months ago), and have taken snapshots of my kids and their kids, mainly just to capture the moment of kids playing. So a few nights ago I have a model, after threatening her that she won't go skating that night. Below are sample pictures of my daughter. Her hair is a bit messed up.

Please C&C on how it can be improved. Thanks!

Both images shot with camera setup below:
SS : 1/10
Av : 4.0
ISO : 100
FL : 75
Flash : Fired

[mercersmoments]

lovely, just a tad yellow, but you could get away with it, give it a warm subdued light effect. I like the background, pretty Bokeh :)

[JimMcrae]

Both lovely shots. I prefer #2 and maybe a tighter crop of #1 would be good?

[ScottKCooper]

Number 2 for me. the first one is too posed with the hand on the chin.

[PhotogJeff]

I like number 2 as well and for the same reason as Scott. Maybe adding a bit more contrast will help this portrait pop. I might crop down to the mantle also. Even with the cropping, the viewer will know that it's a Christmas photo. Nice job. You have a beautiful child jodelak. Maligayan Pasco.

[jodelak]

thanks for the c&c. it does look a bit yellowish for me also, so i'll fix that. #2 looks a bit dark also. i'll try the tighter crop on #1 and see if it will improve the image.

scott, my daughter did the posings all by herself. i was just shooting ;)

[jodelak]

thanks jeff, and merry christmas to you too! (but we say it as 'Maligayang Pasko' ;) )

[PhotogJeff]

Oops. I speak Tagalog like Tarzan and spell it even worse. I'll be speaking better Tagalog soon though, I just recieved the RosettaStone program today. I can't wait to start. Peace, Jeff

[jetcode]

the portrait lighting in #2 is much better than #1, the difference between side lit (#2) and top lit (#1).

[jodelak]

jeff, no worries. the important thing is your'e trying ;)

jet, it's a portrait orientation, i think that's why the flash was on the side, but i think i still did point the flash to the ceiling (was using a sigma 530 super). good c&c, i'll consider this setup when i have the same situation. thanks!