My First Set of Portraits!

I just got my first SLR from my parents this xmas. I was so surprised and excited...I haven't been able to put it down since.
I think my favorite category of photography is portraiture. But I'm still figuring it out.

This is my first set of portraits I've ever done..I'd love constructive criticism/comments. Thanks!


This one isn't that great, but I took this picture holding the camera pointed at me and my brother..I was the only one in focus (it was one of my first pictures with the camera)
So more of a self portrait:

ImSarah wrote in post #11593675
I just got my first SLR from my parents this xmas. I was so surprised and excited...I haven't been able to put it down since.
I think my favorite category of photography is portraiture. But I'm still figuring it out.

This is my first set of portraits I've ever done..I'd love constructive criticism/comments. Thanks!


This one isn't that great, but I took this picture holding the camera pointed at me and my brother..I was the only one in focus (it was one of my first pictures with the camera)
So more of a self portrait:

Then these next few I took of my bf. He likes b&w, so a few of them are like that.

Congrats on your first SLR. The composition on your brothers shots is good on all.
Shooting in direct sunlight is always an issue (note strong shadows) get him in the shade , or with the sun behind him an fill in with a reflector of some sort.

or use the pop up flash for fill.

it will also create a nice catch light in the eyes.

Ken Robertson wrote in post #11593713
Congrats on your first SLR. The composition on your brothers shots is good on all.
Shooting in direct sunlight is always an issue (note strong shadows) get him in the shade , or with the sun behind him an fill in with a reflector of some sort.

Thanks for the advice! I'll have to look into buying a reflector. :]

congrats I'm sure you are excited, and have probably already put a few hundred shots on the camera by now

this forum is outstanding as far as a resource to learn and ask questions. this place is better than Google

congrats on the slr which one did they get you?

photos dont look too bad
just like Ken said... direct sunlight is always an issue
you either end up blowing out the picture or you get the ultra dark contrasts like in some areas of your bf's hair

but either way great start

I'm going to guess it's a Rebel T1i

Ken Robertson wrote in post #11593713
Congrats on your first SLR. The composition on your brothers shots is good on all.
Shooting in direct sunlight is always an issue (note strong shadows) get him in the shade , or with the sun behind him an fill in with a reflector of some sort.

That's her boyfriend, not brother. The first pic she cropped her brother out of, but the other pics are of her "bf" (boyfriend).

The pics of him look great though. The last 2 are my favorites but honestly the self-portrait is actually pretty fantastic for holding the camera yourself. DSLRs aren't easy to use like that (usually people don't) but you actually managed to get focus lol big accomplishment.

the boyfriend's shots look a little flat. were you shooting with his face right into the light?

p27rpy wrote in post #11594076
the boyfriend's shots look a little flat. were you shooting with his face right into the light?

Yeah it was right into the light. What do you guys think is the best way to shoot shots of people outside on a sunny day? Again, thank you everyone for the advice!

PWard wrote in post #11594017
I'm going to guess it's a Rebel T1i

Woah you're good! Is there some way you can check the info on the pictures or something? haha

tec_photo wrote in post #11593965
congrats on the slr which one did they get you?

photos dont look too bad
just like Ken said... direct sunlight is always an issue
you either end up blowing out the picture or you get the ultra dark contrasts like in some areas of your bf's hair

but either way great start

Like PWard said, it's a Rebel T1i :]
I appreciate the advice, thank you.

Dereksalem wrote in post #11594062
That's her boyfriend, not brother. The first pic she cropped her brother out of, but the other pics are of her "bf" (boyfriend).

The pics of him look great though. The last 2 are my favorites but honestly the self-portrait is actually pretty fantastic for holding the camera yourself. DSLRs aren't easy to use like that (usually people don't) but you actually managed to get focus lol big accomplishment.

Thank you! I think my generation has gotten pretty good at holding a camera and taking a picture with ourself in it . I think the image stabilizer lens also helped.

ImSarah wrote in post #11595151
Woah you're good! Is there some way you can check the info on the pictures or something? haha

haha. yes Sarah, there are several programs.

http://www.opanda.com/​en/iexif/

I use this one. when you come across a photo on the web, you can right-click and view exif data, which can show what camera was used, focal lenth, shutter speed, ISO, etc.

Sunrise/sunset is always best for taking portraits outside. The colors are more warm at those times ofthe day. Harsh sunlight tends to wash colors out - such as skin tone. It seems to blow, or maketo bright, the faces on people.

Looks like you are off to a good start though.

PWard wrote in post #11596061
haha. yes Sarah, there are several programs.

http://www.opanda.com/​en/iexif/

I use this one. when you come across a photo on the web, you can right-click and view exif data, which can show what camera was used, focal lenth, shutter speed, ISO, etc.

Cool! Haha, I was gonna say "is there really noticeable differences between certain cameras?"

ConverseMan wrote in post #11596329
Sunrise/sunset is always best for taking portraits outside. The colors are more warm at those times ofthe day. Harsh sunlight tends to wash colors out - such as skin tone. It seems to blow, or maketo bright, the faces on people.

Looks like you are off to a good start though.

Thanks, I'm going to try shooting at sunrise or sunset then!

They're good! I just got my first DSLR camera a couple months ago as well! I got the Canon rebel xsi