Critique for newbie 50mm

[lampers28]

Soooo I have just got a new lens for my canon 550d- got the 1.4 50mm
This is my first shot- thoughts welcome.
I know it's not fully in frame.
I am finding also that I am getting a dark shadow on one side of the face when on auto- what would be a good manual setting for a standard indoor shot?
Advice and feedback welcome

 

[Designer]

This shot is quite close to your model, and the frame has cropped portions of his head.

The shadow is there because your flash did not "wrap" around his head to illuminate all sides. With straight-on light, this is the effect that you get.

 

[lampers28]

This shot is quite close to your model, and the frame has cropped portions of his head.

The shadow is there because your flash did not "wrap" around his head to illuminate all sides. With straight-on light, this is the effect that you get.

Thanks-

I did say in OP that it wasn't in frame and I am not talking about this pic in particular when I mention the shadowing- it was this one - left hand side.
Anyway any idea how to fix the "wrap"?

 

[dennybeall]

There are two easy ways to balance the light. Either block some on the brighter side or add some on the darker side. You could bounce some flash off a wall to the left. Perhaps close a blind on the right some. Then adjust for the new light. Of course you can fix it with lights and light boxes and reflectors, etc.
Or just have her turn her head to her left..........

 

[Dave442]

I will also say having the model turn her head to her left, or a reflector on camera left, or a flash on camera left a bit away with a snout.

A manual setting for an indoor shot is just going to vary by the light. Near my window I can usually use around ISO 400, 1/60th and f/2. If I add a flash I'll go to 1/80th and f/4 and drop the ISO. I expect you want to use f/1.4 just cause you can

 

[Designer]

Anyway any idea how to fix the "wrap"?

Have a LARGE light source (like a softbox) near your subject

and/or place a large white reflector near your model on the side opposite the key light.

 

[soufiej]

Butterfly