Boy Loves Pumpkins - C&C Please!

[BlissMan]

I'm a total Noob, but looking to improve. I still have a ton to learn about the camera and editing, but I am somewhat please with the results of the 2 photos of my favorite model below. I would love to have feedback regarding composition, color, etc. that I can work on improving.
1.

Pumpkin10.14.11-2 by BlissManPhoto, on Flickr
2.

Pumpkin10.14.11 by BlissManPhoto, on Flickr

Thanks!

 

[lepierce3]

I don’t really know too terribly much about the technical aspects, but I can help you out a little with the composition side.

1. I like how you’re getting down to his level on these, although you cut off his head and his legs. For a full body like this, try to keep everything in the image. I feel like making this vertical instead of horizontal would have worked a lot better as well. I do like how bright and colorful it is though.
2. Love his little smile This one’s too dark, and the background seems distracting though.

Hope this was at least a little bit helpful

 

[WesternGuy]

I agree with what lepierce3 has said for #1, as well, I would have moved the boy more to the left "third" position (look up rule of thirds if you are not familiar with this concept) and I would have "cloned" out the folks in the background. In the second one, as has been said, the background is distracting - I would have used an aperture to have it completely out of focus and I would have placed the boy a little more in the right "third" of the frame. Also, you cropped off his lower left leg and right foot - not the best thing to do. Fill flash would have helped here to cast some light on his face and shirt. My 0.02¢.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

 

[BlissMan]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking that I used the on-camera flash in picture #2, but when I was reviewing the exif I realized it did not flash, that makes sense. I wonder if better lighting on the subject would help reduce the background distraction. Also, I just received my 50-1.8 and 430ex, which should help. I am only editing with DPP (RAW) at the moment, I also just received LR3, but for cloning would I need to be using PS? I guess I mostly like the pose in #2, and see some areas of easy improvement that would greatly increase the quality.

For #1 and in general I have some questions and regarding the rule of 3rd's and cropping of limbs. I see these as the most common critiques, but does it really always apply? This picture to me was focused on his jeans, and complemented by the landscape. I agree that moving the subject to the left could be more visually appealing, but I feel that its slightly more unique or visually appealing in landscape with the crop. Just curious of other opinions.

And yes, thank you. The input is very helpful.