Feedback on Portrait Photography Attempt

So yesterday I convinced my youngest son to let me spend the morning taking pictures of him. I accidentally posted them in the "People Talk" area (sorry, not trying to double post, but I wanted to get this in the right area), but I did get some good feedback. I have tried to put this into practice, and I would really like to get some more feedback. Is this an improvement? Either way, what should I be doing to make it better?

Yesterday's picture:

The more I look at this, the more it seems like it is glowing. I edited it a little more:

Here's my take on this image:

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

First I don't think your edit is adding anything to the picture. Looks like you post processed the image just for the sake of doing something so that the image didn't look like it was straight out of the camera. Really not a good reason to post process. If you want to see what others can do you may need to post the RAW file somewhere so that others can play with the image and see what they do to the picture. If you didn't shoot in RAW you really need to consider making the move in that direction.

I like the way you turned your subject sideways and then had him turn his head back towards you. Another good thing is that either on purpose or by accident, but you didn't have your son turn his head so much that we could see both ears as well. Not sure if I like the low shooting angle, but in the end the pose is much better than the straight on driver's license type pictures you usually see when people are starting out.

What I am missing is more light. I would really like to see enough light to be able to see the color in his eyes. The background is ok but nothing that really wows me. Next time scout out a bunch of backgrounds around town and notice where the sun is during different times of the day.

I think you have a great subject to work with, a willingness to get other people's opinons (some you will agree with and some you may not... but at least you are open to listen), and a desire to learn so you are well on your way to growing in portrait photography.

Final comment: Don't spend too much time and effort trying to fix the images from your first outing. Schedule another shoot quickly and keep shooting more shots and learning each time you go out......

Thanks for sharing and remember to have fun!

John

I've got one of those HS offensive lineman at home as well. Did his senior pics last fall and had a one unforeseen difficulty: He's 6' 3" and 320 and I'm 5'9"! Shooting angles when he was standing weren't good.

Keep your camera at or near eye-level. Shooting up on anybody isn't the most flattering camera angle! What I did for my son was found higher ground for me; used a milk crate to stand on; took shots of him sitting on something or the ground. Actually, the higher camera angle kind of slimmed him down a bit.

dave

Quad-Response wrote in post #13563011
cough*her son*cough

Thanks now corrected in my post ... but I doubt in your quote.

jwp721 wrote in post #13563062
Thanks now corrected in my post ... but I doubt in your quote.

back to you John

Chris, thanks for your take on the image. I do like this better, especially the blurred background.

John, you are right, I wasn't PP with a good purpose. It was like a light went off when I read what you wrote.

The posing was deliberate, except for the shooting from too low. Honestly, it never even crossed my mind. As Dave pointed out, I'll have to find something to stand on.

John and Chris, I obviously missed something. It is "her" son, but I am not the her.

Thanks for all the feedback. I would post the raw file (I do shoot in raw), but honestly, it seems that I need to take him back out for some more shots.

More to come, I'm sure.

Steve