First Portraits+ Mistakes?

[ESmala]

Hey guys, I recently took my first portrait shots of my little sister, this is the best one I have, but I'm not necessarily satisfied with it. Should I have gotten her whole head? Any recommendations or tips for next time would be appreciated guys, Thanks.


PortraitMolly by Esmala12, on Flickr

 

[Hickeydog]

Only one thing comes to mind:

Holy super flipping massive pupils Batman!!!

 

[ESmala]

Yes, her pupils are quite large.

 

[tirediron]

The first thing you need to do is get your flash off of your camera and shoot in a better lit room. That will eliminate the huge pupils with the catchlights in the dead centre as well as the 'flashed' look on her face.

I would say that you should definitely have included all of her head, and either all of none of her arm. Cropping limbs is acceptable if done boldly, and not at/through a joint, and NEVER laterally (as you've done with her forearm). Consider shooting outside, say, a nice, overcast day, where you won't need to use supplemental light (until you have a better understanding of it) and look to more conventional poses.

 

[dustin0479]

Looks like nice focus on the eyes but your DOF is extremely shallow, some might like this look with this type portrait but to me it makes the subject look like you pasted a face on them.

 

[ESmala]

Tirediron, I see what you're saying here next time I'll definitely try to take it outside (this was in a basement) and I'll definitely take into heavy account what you said about the cropping/cutting, thanks much!

and Dustin0479 You're reply made me lol, I totally see what you mean by the "pasted face" thing, my DOF really is WAY too shallow, definitely taking that into consideration next time.

 

[AMOMENT]

I like the composition. As a viewer, I pesonally think it is okay to be a little creative and zero in more on the eys and even crop a bit as you did. I do see that cropping at a joint in awkward and plan to take this advice myself.