I'm new to shooting people, CC + tips wanted

So, I've decided to try my hand at shooting people (hah, I just realized how that sounded). I've been trying my hand at this photography thing for just over a year, and I almost never take pictures of people -- mostly landscapes, abstracts, nature, and urban shots. This is mostly the case, because often when I am around a lot of people, alcohol is involved, and I don't want to damage my camera, additionally, i feel kinda weird lugging around this large camera + lens in a group of crowded people, a P+S just seems easier. Anyways, here are two pics I would love some C+C on. Don't hold back

The only thing I know for sure, is in this first one the focus was off, in that I used a little too wide of an aperture, and the man in the background was slightly OOF (I sharpened him to make it look slightly better).

Thanks for looking!

1:

Yeah the 1st one the kids looks over sharpened to me, should use layers when you sharpen so you control what's being sharpened.
Tighter crops, portrait crops. Be aware of distracting backgrounds, people, stuff sticking out of people's heads.

Unfortunately, the two pictures you have presented are what I refer to as snapshots. Everyone who picks up a camera can do snapshots.

In order to move out of snapshots and into fine art photography you have to spend years watching other people take the ribbons until you begin to realize what it is about the winning images that sets them apart from the run-of-the-mill pictures.

Some of the things that set the winning pictures apart are:
1) The lighting, with the shadows it creates, is enabling and enhancing 3-dimensionality through the highlights and shadows that bring out every contour.
2) The elements of the composition themselves are creating the 3-dimensional look through separation into multiple planes that force the eye into seeing them as one behind the other.
3) The use of color to enhance contrast between the different elements of the scene, avoid tonal mergers, and to aid in giving depth to the scene.
4) Making sure that something gives scale to the scene, and that you avoid forcing the eye to unintentional or unfortunate points of tension.

Thanks for the advice! Robert, would you care to comment on those two pictures in relation to the four points you mentioned there? It looks as though there is a lot more I have to pay attention to in shooting people than I do while shooting scenery and landscapes.

In the two examples above we can point immediately at a singular problem for each that could have been easily avoided.

In #1 the boy has this metal tubing device growing out of his head.
In #2 the two adults in the background contribute nothing to the picture.

Unfortunately, it goes deeper than that. Snapshots of children doing their thing are something for family and friends to rave about. Images that come to Critique Corner for advice are more often than not candid portraits rather than snapshots. The photographers looking for critique here are more likely to be suffering serious problems in understanding lighting and composition and the technical workings of their equipment.

Robert_Lay wrote in post #6019134
In #1 the boy has this metal tubing device growing out of his head.

You actually got a two for one deal out of this one; the adult has a tree growing out of his head

And the one child has an arm coming out of his head

Snapshots can be fun too, but if you are looking for more serious photos.you couldn't have better advice than from Bob.

I wouldn't have posted here if I didn't expect some serious advice and criticism. Like I said, I pretty much never have shot people before, and It's something I would like to get into finally. I got half way decent at shooting other subjects through lots of practice, posting here, and getting all the advice and tips I could soak up, so I really appreciate the feedback.

I didn't even notice the stuff growing out of the kid's head, however, I didn't have too much time to think about composition and background as I only had a few seconds to take pics of these youngins -- they are quite impatient

I think that you will find that shooting people in a non-studio, uncontrolled environment is a difficult practice to master. As you have stated, many shots are bangbang especially with small children. Over time, and probably after some of the critique here, you will learn to not only pay attention to your subject but to also what is behind them.

From both those photos, it appears that just a few steps to your right would have eliminated many of the problems. An even better idea might be to move in a little closer or crop a little tighter. Unless the background gives mood or feeling to the photo, it is really nothing more than a distraction.

Even those these environments are not controlled, plan your shooting before you do it. Try and find a good spot where distracting elements will not clutter you background.

I think shooting with a prime helped me a great deal with shooting people. We get lazy with teles and just tend to pop shots off without planning them (at least I do!). With a prime, you have to be much more aware of your composition and much more thought goes into setting up shots.

Once you get the hang of it this stuff becomes second nature.

I have a 50 1.8 which I don't use often now that I have a 17-50 2.8, I'll have to practice with that -- it is a great lens.

I bought a 30 1.4 and an 85 1.8. I absolutely love both lenses. So much that I often can't decide which one I would like to carry if I can only take one.

I typically have "lens days". I will pop either the 30 or 85 on my camera and force myself to shot with it all day (even though I shouldn't say force as both lenses are a joy to shot with). This really makes you think outside the box and plan your shots.

I would like to add one additional point that is very relevant for shooting people.

Children and sometimes adults, as well, will either ham it up or turn overly modest when they realize they are being photographed. Whenever I think that might be a problem, I use a tactic which has worked well for me.

I shoot lots of frames in their general direction so that they get used to the camera and what I am doing. If you keep that up until they start ignoring you, then you will be able to get some more serious shots. Generally speaking, the subjects will make much better pictures when they are NOT hamming it up and NOT being overly modest.

In other words, after you fade into the wallpaper, almost all subjects become much more natural and make better pictures.