2nd portrait attempt C&C please

[charlie_merrifi]

Took some portraits the other day of my daughters/nephew just curious what you think. I know some of them are a little out of focus. Any tips on better focus.

Brother in law and his son

 

[Sarah23]

your settings on these would help. The last one is the best of the bunch.

 

[charlie_merrifi]

1- Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 29.0mm
CCD Width: 13.23mm
Exposure Time: 0.022 s (1/45)
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual


2-Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 34.0mm
CCD Width: 18.45mm
Exposure Time: 0.033 s (1/30)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual

3- Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 55.0mm
CCD Width: 14.83mm
Exposure Time: 0.050 s (1/20)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual

4-Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 20.0mm
CCD Width: 14.83mm
Exposure Time: 0.022 s (1/45)
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO equiv: 800
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual

5-Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 37.0mm
CCD Width: 18.43mm
Exposure Time: 0.033 s (1/30)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv: 800
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual

 

[tomhooper]

Here is the exif data on the 2nd and last shot.

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Image Date: 2009:04:16 19:31:35
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 34.0mm
CCD Width: 18.45mm
Exposure Time: 0.033 s (1/30)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Image Date: 2009:04:16 19:35:39
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 37.0mm
CCD Width: 18.43mm
Exposure Time: 0.033 s (1/30)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv: 800
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual


A few thoughts that might help you out. I'm not sure what type of light source you are using, but I think you need more. You are shooting 2nd shot ISO 400 1/30sec and f/4.5. In the last shot, you were shooting at ISO 800. With more light you can decrease your ISO and reduce the potential for noise. You could also increase the shutter speed and reduce the chance for motion blur. I also notice that the lights are visible in the pupils of the subjects eyes. You might need some type of diffuser to soften and spread the light out. One other thing about more light is that you can stop the lens down some and increase your depth of field.

Actually that's more than a couple of thoughts and they are just the meanderings of my demented mind. Keep the shutter clicking.

 

[rufus5150]

In the group shots (1 and 2) you don't use enough DOF to get everyone in focus.

 

[inTempus]

I agree with what's been said here. You really need to get more light so you can reduce your ISO to 100 or 200, get a smaller aperture and faster shutter speed.

 

[charlie_merrifi]

yeah i agree on the lights. I use two 48 inch hang flourescent shop lights for now. I am brokwe and dont have the money for the real thing righ now. The lights are not hanging i have them on vertical stands.

 

[Dick Sanders]

In the March 2009 issue of Shutterbug they had some excerpts from Steve Sint's book on digital portrait photography with lighting diagrams.
His book is not expensive, and it would show you, via diagram, how to set up the lights, once you get them. Studying a book like this, even before you get the lights, would be very helpful and save you a lot of time.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Portrait-Photography-Business-Style/dp/1600593356/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240370157&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Digital Portrait Photography: Art, Business & Style (A Lark Photography Book): Steve Sint: Books[/ame]

 

[Chairman7w]

You got this one right... uh, Dick. Excellent book, one of my favorites.

In the March 2009 issue of Shutterbug they had some excerpts from Steve Sint's book on digital portrait photography with lighting diagrams.
His book is not expensive, and it would show you, via diagram, how to set up the lights, once you get them. Studying a book like this, even before you get the lights, would be very helpful and save you a lot of time.

Amazon.com: Digital Portrait Photography: Art, Business & Style (A Lark Photography Book): Steve Sint: Books