2nd photo shoot attempt!

[LMP87]

Recently took these pictures of my cousins little family. I know I made some mistakes.. #1 I notice some bad editing.. Anything will help. Be free to re-edit some so I can see what I can improve! I am currently using a Nikon D3100 with just a standard kit lens.. Any suggestions on some great lenses for portraits and photo shoots like these?

 

[tirediron]

The two main issues I see here are (1) a tendency to crop off "bits" such as toes and fingers - always shoot a little wide and make sure the subject is completely in frame; and (2) excessive depth of field resulting from either too short a focal length or small an aperture, or a combination of both. Ideally, a longer lens (something in the >100mm range) used at a larger aperture will reduce the focus and detail in the background and help to better isolate the subjects. You've captured some nice moments; the expressions on the father and child in #2 are especially good!

 

[LMP87]

The two main issues I see here are (1) a tendency to crop off "bits" such as toes and fingers - always shoot a little wide and make sure the subject is completely in frame; and (2) excessive depth of field resulting from either too short a focal length or small an aperture, or a combination of both. Ideally, a longer lens (something in the >100mm range) used at a larger aperture will reduce the focus and detail in the background and help to better isolate the subjects. You've captured some nice moments; the expressions on the father and child in #2 are especially good!

can you explain depth of field?

 

[IronMaskDuval]

The two main issues I see here are (1) a tendency to crop off "bits" such as toes and fingers - always shoot a little wide and make sure the subject is completely in frame; and (2) excessive depth of field resulting from either too short a focal length or small an aperture, or a combination of both. Ideally, a longer lens (something in the >100mm range) used at a larger aperture will reduce the focus and detail in the background and help to better isolate the subjects. You've captured some nice moments; the expressions on the father and child in #2 are especially good!

can you explain depth of field?

You should blur the background so that your subjects are the primary point of focus. You can do this by lowering your f stop number.

 

[LMP87]

@IronMaskDuval ...

Which F stop # would you suggest?

 

[ronlane]

@IronMaskDuval ...

Which F stop # would you suggest?

I would start here and learn more about it. Understanding HOW to use DOF instead of just what to use.

 

[LMP87]

@IronMaskDuval ...

Which F stop # would you suggest?

I would start here and learn more about it. Understanding HOW to use DOF instead of just what to use.

thanks this really helps! I am going to try and read through this. Being that I'm a noob to this, some of the words are a little difficult to understand what they are explaining.

 

[ronlane]

@IronMaskDuval ...

Which F stop # would you suggest?

I would start here and learn more about it. Understanding HOW to use DOF instead of just what to use.

thanks this really helps! I am going to try and read through this. Being that I'm a noob to this, some of the words are a little difficult to understand what they are explaining.

That site has a lot of information for beginners to learn. Keep at it.

 

[BrickHouse]

Just got done reading "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Super helpful book for us beginners. Not expensive either.

 

[KmH]

can you explain depth of field?

Another plug for - Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

DoF is the single most complex technical part of doing photography because camera image sensor size, lens focal length, point of focus distance, and lens aperture all contribute to it.

We even need to think about how close or far from the background our subject(s) are.