Portrait 1st attempts

[billp]

Took these shots at a barbeque on a cloudy day. Haven't taken the portrait lesson in the PP course yet, but couldn't resist the opportunity to capture these girls. Don't look too bad, but I would appreciate 'experienced' opinions.

EXIF: F8, ISO 400, FL 85mm, 1/250s

Comments kind (or otherwise) appreciated.

Ashley 01.jpg
Megan01.jpg

[eyerkish]

Nice, classic head shots, Bill. I don't blame you for jumping the gun on the portrait lesson. If you have willing subjects, might as well take their picture. I like the DOF you went with for both shots - both girls are in good focus. In particular, the girl in the second shot is looking slightly to her right and your focus is nice and sharp on her left eye, which is nearest the camera and right where it should be. That drew my eye right in. It also looks like these were taken with natural light only, is that correct? Either way, nicely done.

[billp]

Thanks Eddie....yes, natural light only...it was an overcast day and the light seemed very diffused....since the background wasn't overly bright, I decided against fill-flash.

[Kaye]

Bill, these are wonderful shots, and I agree with Eddie's comments above.

I have not done the portrait lesson either, but would like to offer you my personal feelings on these.

Although you have used natural lighting, the lighting to me seems brighter in No. 2. Perhaps this is due to a slightly different perspective, or maybe some reflection from the rock behind.... and perhaps a different skin tone?
Nevertheless, great job here.
(Perhaps you could have slightly varied your settings for these two shots) ? Difficult to say, but thought I'd mention this.

I do like your DOF, but I perhaps would have also tried an Aperture setting of maybe 3.5 to 4 (and adjusted the shutter slightly faster and lowered the ISO a touch).

Other opinions may vary, but although I like your DOF, I personally go for an even more shallow DOF.

An afterthought Bill.... what lens were you using?

[DoctorJazz]

Hi billp,
Wow, I would be thrilled if these were my first attempts at portraits.
For starters, I think you did an excellent job with the compositions and focus on the eyes and smiles.
I think the 2nd could be cropped slightly at the top of the frame to have a little less empty space above the head, just like you did in the first.

[billp]

Bill, these are wonderful shots, and I agree with Eddie's comments above.

I have not done the portrait lesson either, but would like to offer you my personal feelings on these.

Although you have used natural lighting, the lighting to me seems brighter in No. 2. Perhaps this is due to a slightly different perspective, or maybe some reflection from the rock behind.... and perhaps a different skin tone?
Nevertheless, great job here.
(Perhaps you could have slightly varied your settings for these two shots) ? Difficult to say, but thought I'd mention this.

I do like your DOF, but I perhaps would have also tried an Aperture setting of maybe 3.5 to 4 (and adjusted the shutter slightly faster and lowered the ISO a touch).

Other opinions may vary, but although I like your DOF, I personally go for an even more shallow DOF.

An afterthought Bill.... what lens were you using?

Thanks Kaye...second shot was lighter because of skin tone....thanks for comments re settings...was using a 55-200mm lens at about 85mm.

Hi billp,
Wow, I would be thrilled if these were my first attempts at portraits.
For starters, I think you did an excellent job with the compositions and focus on the eyes and smiles.
I think the 2nd could be cropped slightly at the top of the frame to have a little less empty space above the head, just like you did in the first.

Thanks Sandy.....I see what you mean in the second shot.