First attempt at portraits

[blackrose89]

Ok so I got my new camera on Christmas. I opened it, and within 5 minutes my cousin asked me to come out to a local ranch and get some photos of her with her boyfriend and his horse. Flattered, but a bit out of my element since I hadn't had much of a chance to play with the new camera and I have never done portraits and this includes a pet as well. I took a good amount, but I really only like the first two. I felt like the last two had potential had the focus been better.

#1

#2 (she requested his hat to be covering his face)

#3

#4

 

[rexbobcat]

The first photo is pretty good. I would shot it vertically though. I don't mind the composition, but with the photo being landscape, I think that where you cut off the legs on the man is a bit awkward.

I like number two better, especially with the horse looking directly at the camera.

Number 3 just seems really soft.

On 4, the detail of the faces are lost in teh shadows. A little fill flash would have helped.

 

[cgipson1]

shots on all program... ISO 400 COOLPIX L120, apertures ranging from 3.1 to 3.8.. , shutter speeds from 1/10 to 1/50, 25mm to 57mm equiv FL

#1 is a little soft... looks like focal point chosen was bad

#2 best of them all in sharpness.. but no composition.. just a snapshot.

#3 and #4 are very soft probably due to motion blur from the camera moving

 

[Ron Evers]

They all look under-exposed & the colours overly saturated.

 

[LuckySe7en]

The angle is a bit too low for me and the backgrounds are a little distracting.

 

[shortpants]

Great subjects, and honestly I don't think your compositions are all that bad but yes there are a lot of technical issues as mentioned.

 

[blackrose89]

Yeah, I'm really only fond of the first two, and was on the fencea bout the last two. Looks like a re-shoot!!! I got a tri-pod too so I'll be able to use that next time hopefully help with the camera shake.

 

[ClearBlueDaze]

In terms of composition, I like #3 best.
I don't like that you are looking so far up at the subject in all the shots....
Beth

 

[LuckySe7en]

In that type of light, you shouldn't need a tri-pod. Just play around with the settings

 

[blackrose89]

In that type of light, you shouldn't need a tri-pod. Just play around with the settings

I just thought that maybe a tri-pod would help with camera shake. I'll stick by #1 & #2, but #3-#4 are the photo fails I suspected they were lol.

 

[photo guy]

I think they look nice but a couple could use more centering. A tripod would help with camera shake. Good Work

 

[blackrose89]

I think they look nice but a couple could use more centering. A tripod would help with camera shake. Good Work

Thanks.

 

[MrsLittle]

I agree with the over saturation. I do like the pose in #2, sort of sensual.

 

[blackrose89]

I agree with the over saturation. I do like the pose in #2, sort of sensual.

What you call "oversaturation" I call "Vibrant" lol Just kidding.

Personally, I don't mind the saturation, especially in the first 2. I really have very few problems with the first two. #2 would be better if the palm trees were perfectly framed around the subjects, but I got as close as I could. #1, I guess a vertical portait would work better, but I still like it and believe the good outweighs the bad and I believe I have him pretty nicely framed between the greenery. The last 2 I liked the compositions and the angles, but the softness and loss of details kill it for me. And for those who said I had a distracting background, you don't have a clue. Outside of the fences were just broken down trailers, 10 feet tall piles of manure, rusted dirty barrels etc. This is was the best option to shoot from and despite what you see, actually had the least amount that was obtrusive in the background.


#2 seems to be the clear winner.

 

[blackrose89]

The first photo is pretty good. I would shot it vertically though. I don't mind the composition, but with the photo being landscape, I think that where you cut off the legs on the man is a bit awkward.I like number two better, especially with the horse looking directly at the camera.Number 3 just seems really soft.On 4, the detail of the faces are lost in teh shadows. A little fill flash would have helped.

I pretty much agree with everything said here.