More daughter portraits. please critique

[Johnboy2978]

Hey guys, I was playing with my daughter and a new 50mm 1.4 pentax lens yesterday. I am really trying to improve my portrait skills. These I think are so-so. I guess I'm most unhappy with the lighting that I am using. Basically, it consists of overhead room lighting and 2 work lamps w/ 75w bulbs. So, I know I could benefit from actual portrait lights, however, the budget doesn't allow for that. So, I would appreciate it if you guys could critique the composition, contrast, focus, etc. and just general feel. I learned with this shoot that when my daughter is being photographed, I will need at least a shutter speed of 90-125. I had some really great shots, but hand/foot blur really hurt them. Post-processing included slightly desaturating, decreasing the red tint slightly, and that's about it. Anyway, any critique would be beneficial to me.

1) 50mm, 1/30, f2.4, iso-200

2) 50mm, 1/125, f2.4, iso-800

3) 50mm, 1/60, f4.5, iso-800

4) 50mm, 1/60, f4.5, iso-800

 

[Rob]

You're right on the money... it's all light. Alienbees man - go buy some!!

Anyway, here's a really rough, quick and dirty PS job on my favourite. You may like it or not, but it's what I'm thinking when I see the shot.

That yellow light has got to go - it's ruining the skin tone desatting it. Possibly try upping the wattage or getting a darker coloured bg.

Here's a quick effort:

Excuse the quick PS work and the clumsy edges, but hopefully you see what I mean??

Rob

 

[bigfatbadger]

The first and second ones are priceless! Expression is great!

I've not tried it and couldn't guarantee any results (at all, I'd check with someone who knows what they're on about first), but you could try this?: -
http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/diylighting/index.php

 

[Johnboy2978]

Rob, actually the background was a tan bedsheet. I did a custom wb and the bg is pretty accurate in color.

 

[Holly]

Rob LOVE the edit with the background... I was going to post awhile ago that the background I didnt care for at all.. Just to chicken to post it. sorry! But the edit the background looks fabulous with her picture!

 

[jemmy]

cute pics... i want both the lights and the studio too!! greedy hey xx I think you've done well but agree that the background colour doesn't do much for the shot. I just posted some recent portraits '1st attempt @ reflective lighting' (have a look if you like ... I am sticking to this method and good old natural light till i have the real deal lights... One pointer Christie Photo gave me... was to move the subject further from the background to blur the wrinkles in the sheet... i had no idea why i couldnt get it to blur on such a wide ap..... what can i say - "i am a learner!" xx

 

[offroading_fans]

your daughter is lovely. this is my daughter, sharing

Taken the year before, late autum, when she was only 6 month. using Reflect board .

 

[offroading_fans]

last christmas, taken by my friend.

 

[offroading_fans]

May i give you 2 small sugestions if you can read my Chinglish(Chinese English))

1. Keeping focus clearly, #1 is a little bur, I believe It's not out of focus,you should avoid using lower shutter speed unless you have a tripod.
2.keeping the subject a certain distance from the background. Usually, backgound should not be clear, so I think 4-6 feet and f4 aperture would be better when you use 50mm lense.