Portraits C & C, how am I doing? Having a hard time getting hang of 50mm

[mc1979]

Hi all, appreciate you looking and any comments you might have. Got out and shot my son for a bit this weekend using my 50mm. I'm choosing 3 of what I think are the best for your critique. What I'm looking for from you: How's my PP, How's my composition, how's my use of available light which was sun.

1.
Jay-1 by mchatham79, on Flickr


2.
Jay-4 by mchatham79, on Flickr


3.
Copy of Jay-5 by mchatham79, on Flickr

 

[Robin Usagani]

Did you add blur on some of these on post?

 

[bennielou]

I think these are nice. A tad overexposed, and I think they would benefit from a big pop of color. (use curves).
Keep shooting.

 

[mc1979]

Schwetty, no I didn't use blur at all..just the 50mm, and that's what I'm having a hard time with..trying to focus on eyes, but maybe it's because I'm shooting wide open..bennie, I'm using LR3..which curves would I use? Also, as far as being overexposed..the original RAW files are not..I think I may have went to far in post

 

[6and30]

They don't look overexposed to me. I agree that they could benefit from a boost in color, but they still look nice. The second photo is probably my favorite. What f-stop did you shoot at? I love my 50mm 1.8, but it's tricky to get used to and I'm still practicing with it.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I think 2 & 3 look good. People love really shallow depth of field. #1 not liking his facial expression. Plus the blur to the right next to the leg look like post processed blur. I guess not.

 

[dakkon76]

I agree that they look a bit to shallow, especially the first 2. Mainly I think because of how he's sitting. The third one the ears are just a little bit too blurry IMO. The hardest thing I had to break myself of when I first had a 50mm was NOT shooting at the maximum aperture My 85mm does great wide open, but the 50mm - because of how close you usually are to your subject - tends to be too shallow for my taste if it's open more than about 1.8-2.0. Also agree that they need a bit more color in them, but as far as composition with your 50mm, they are great.

 

[shootermcgavin]

Might want to try around f3 for maximum sharpness, give or take a little.

 

[mc1979]

Dakkon, I'm going to have to start making an effort not to shoot wide open too..I think that's the biggest problem. As far as color..I'm so afraid I'm going to over do things, so I tend to stay away from it, but I'll re-edit these tonight and try it out...


Overall, with such shallow DOF, do ya'll think these are a total miss?

 

[gsgary]

Just because you have F1.8 does not mean you have to shoot everything at F1.8 because you only have to be a bit off with focus and the shot is only good for the recycle bin

 

[mc1979]

Just because you have F1.8 does not mean you have to shoot everything at F1.8 because you only have to be a bit off with focus and the shot is only good for the recycle bin

Agreed and slowly learning this... as far as these images...in your opinion should they be in the recycle bin?

 

[BJF]

Nice shots! Like #2, 3. The lighting of #1 seems too flat.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

I think these are nice. A tad overexposed, and I think they would benefit from a big pop of color. (use curves).
Keep shooting.

I agree. I did an edit of #3... But it didn't turn out very well.

 

[gsgary]

Just because you have F1.8 does not mean you have to shoot everything at F1.8 because you only have to be a bit off with focus and the shot is only good for the recycle bin

Agreed and slowly learning this... as far as these images...in your opinion should they be in the recycle bin?

I'm not saying because i got a roasting before for saying bin them, but they where softer than these, last one is sharp

 

[mc1979]

LOL gsgary.. I didn't take you to be someone who cared if they got roasted or not! You're always straightforward!!