trying to take good portraits...help please

[molsen]

this thread in the gallery is where i posted some recent pics. is there anyone here with portrait experience who can give me some tips and advice on composition and lighting? I would REALLY appreciate it

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122176

I don't mean this is a double post, I just realized I might be able to reach more "professionals" in this forum vs. the general gallery. as silly as it sounds, I think people tend to be too nice in the gallery sections....i need some honest critique please

 

[notelliot]

try solid colour, seamless back drops. bright colours, and make weird noises to get some sort of reaction out of the animals..

as for lighting, google strobist.

 

[Rachelsne]

I take pics at a shelter and it helps having an extra pair of hands, normally waving around my head near the camera with both of us making lots of noise!

When ever I try take pics of my own cat, he always turns the otherway and does not respond even if I make crazy noises LOl

 

[molsen]

lol yea cats know you're trying to get a picture of them and purposely don't cooperate. thanks for the tips