First try at portraits with my new lenses

[slm95]

I mainly shoot landscapes but I enjoy taking pictures of people, I just never have any subjects to shoot. I had a budy of mine come over for this little photo session. I still do not have a flash yet so no flashes were used for these pictures. Please give me some advice so I can make improvements.

Thank you.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2573/mathewzummo1.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8174/mathewzummo2.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7923/mathewzummo3.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/959/mathewzummo4.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1638/mathewzummo5.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1356/mathewzummo6.jpg

[Tim Kostka]

It is much easier to comment on a single picture instead of a bunch of them. Given the harsh light, I think they're nicely done. Since the background is mostly OOF, I think you could crop more of it out. I don't think it adds much to the photo.

[usukshooter]

There is noticable barrel distoration on some of the close up shots. That's why I never use anything wider than 50mm for a close up portrait. It's not flattering to any face - makes the nose look big. I could tell they were shot with a wide angle lens before I looked at the exif.

Otherwise, they look good - nice lighting but the first one is underexposed and the second to last looks a little flat.

[tonydee]

#1: the background dominates the subject, with poor lighting on him.

#2: much better exposure of the subject, but still fighting the background. The earrings of light aren't the best look.

#3: the best shot by miles. Angle's interesting, placed off-centre and looking through the frame, with the background bokeh almost like a trail of vision. Good focus, and dynamic overall. Very good result.

#4: Has some promising aspects: better incident lighting on his face. But, you've cut off his ankles! Once you get that close to a whole body, please finish the job :-). More generally, frame to have limbs dissected, rather than joints cross the edges. But, the killer here is that his head is packed into that little strip of background business and interest, competing for resolution. If you'd got a little lower so his head was above that band, I think the image would have worked better.

#5, #6: both work ok... again you're shooting with a challenging background and it's a mixed blessing.

Cheers,
Tony

[slm95]

thanks very much for the advice. Those are good tips.