First real attempt at portraits

[theraven]

Took these at a vintage fair over the weekend, the lighting was lovely and soft as it was cloudy, coming in through the windows. Used my M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens.

Any hint, tips or general ideas to improve would be greatly appreciated!

1

Leek Vintage Fair by Raven Photography by Jenna Goodwin, on Flickr

2

Leek Vintage Fair by Raven Photography by Jenna Goodwin, on Flickr

3

Leek Vintage Fair by Raven Photography by Jenna Goodwin, on Flickr

4

Leek Vintage Fair by Raven Photography by Jenna Goodwin, on Flickr

5

Leek Vintage Fair by Raven Photography by Jenna Goodwin, on Flickr

See the rest of the shots here... Vintage Fair, Leek May 2013 - a set on Flickr

 

[jowensphoto]

The second is definitely the best of these, very nice environmental portrait. The first could have been equally as great if you'd taken a step or two to the left (or shot portrait orientation) and left out the coat in the BG.

 

[Rick50]

Pretty good pics. I try to pay more attention to the background to eliminate conflicts. The 1st two have busy backgrounds and the last 2 have a shadow that would go away by having the person move away from the wall. Just my thoughts.

 

[theraven]

The second is definitely the best of these, very nice environmental portrait. The first could have been equally as great if you'd taken a step or two to the left (or shot portrait orientation) and left out the coat in the BG.

Thank you, the second is definitely my favorite too.

 

[ronlane]

The first three in my opinion are keepers. Like Jess said, #1 could be improved by recomposing her in the frame. #3 is a little tightly cropped for my liking but the photo is good. The last two have lighting issues, the harsh shadows on the wall could be corrected by having the subject step away from the wall and/or difussing the light source more.

 

[theraven]

Thank you all, all taken on board!

 

[Starskream666]

Think about the background. 2nd is nicest composition but shes out of focus

 

[theraven]

Could well be, doesn't look it on my monitor?

I was using a manual M42 lens and manual focus is HARD with people! lol

 

[Tiller]

Yes #2 is definitely OOF. I have a MF lens so I can sympathize, but it is what it is unfortunately. There's no worse feeling than nailing a shot, but its unusable bc its the slightest bit OOF.

I agree with the others about backgrounds. Smaller apertures + distance can help, but choosing a good background to begin with is essential.

If possible, I would try a reshoot of #2.

Looking back, it looks like all of them are slightly OOF except the first.

 

[theraven]

Lots of practice needed! I have been using my Carl Zeiss as it's 2.8, I do have a Chinon that is 1.7 but I think that may be over doing it!

 

[Derrel]

My favorite is #3, for the jaunty pose and expression you've captured. I think that lens has a very nice, smooth way of rendering out of focus backgrounds...it has nice bokeh when used the way you used it. I would say that the first three are "environmental portraits", since they show the subject in front of an actual "environment", where the fourth and fifth shots are just of women, leaning up against walls, and that's nowhere near as interesting.

 

[theraven]

Thank you, the first three are definitely more interesting, I just really liked the nice natural light coming through the window in the last ones.