Outdoor portrait session with my 1 year old nephew - C&C appreciated

[Just learning]

I am still very much a beginner, but after 2 years with my Rebel XTi, my wonderful husband bought me a 7D for Christmas (after many hints!). I am really loving it, and just wonder what you think of these portrait shots of my nephew? This is purely a hobby for me - but I would like to think such a great camera is not wasted on me!

Would love your feedback. I would also like to know what you think of the B&W - I don't have much experience in conversion.

Thanks

1.

http://evanscullen.smugmug.com/Portraits/Archie-portraits-2009/DPP3/758695150_328iW-M.jpg
2.
http://evanscullen.smugmug.com/Portraits/Archie-portraits-2009/DPP5/758697355_U5gsH-M.jpg
3.
http://evanscullen.smugmug.com/Portraits/Archie-portraits-2009/IMG0473/758769974_dHU3P-M.jpg
4.
http://evanscullen.smugmug.com/Portraits/Archie-portraits-2009/IMG0404/758747005_K4xg6-M.jpg
5.
http://evanscullen.smugmug.com/Portraits/Archie-portraits-2009/DPP1/759326927_5EyCN-M.jpg

6.
http://evanscullen.smugmug.com/Portraits/Archie-portraits-2009/DPP4/758696786_TS3TC-M.jpg

7.

http://evanscullen.smugmug.com/Portraits/Archie-portraits-2009/IMG0499/758777046_Q7jVe-M.jpg

[Pearlallica]

cute kid and cute one-sie.

My little guys are also the inspiration for my photographic ventures. One is 3 and a 1/2 and he still enjoys being photographed. Have fun!

[Just learning]

Any feedback on these shots? I was really hoping for some views on the black & white conversion in particular.

thanks in advance

[Tim Park]

Really cute kid! Overall, I think the framing is a bit tight. The lighting on the face various noticeably from shot to shot, which is very typical of outdoor shots, so I would concentrate on getting as much light into those beautiful eyes as possible. The b&w conversions are decent, not great but not bad. The quality and direction of light really affect the visual impact of a b&w photo, so I would look for that next time. I hope this helps.

Tim

[bakatari]

Any feedback on these shots? I was really hoping for some views on the black & white conversion in particular.

thanks in advance

What software are you using to convert? I think the blacks could be "blacker" and the whites "whiter". I use lightroom for my conversions and usually bump up the contrast really high and satruation all the way down. Then bump up the blacks and then compensate a little by brightening the entire image.

[EOS_JD]

Turning the saturation down is not the way to convert to B&W but it depends what software you use. The channel mixer (or B&W adjustment layer) in s will allow you to experiment with B&W image convertions.

[Just learning]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I agree the crops are a little tight - I was using my 85mm lens mostly which I haven't used much yet, so probably needed to back up a little. Also, the lighting was very tricky - it was mid afternoon, 95 degrees out and not a cloud in the sky so we headed to a park for some shade.

As for the conversion, I am only using DPP and desaturating and boosting contrast. Lightroom is the next purchase on my list, so I am looking forward to experimenting with that.

Thanks again for your responses - I have always found people on this site to be so helpful!