Portraits of my newborn son C&C appreciated

[LesFraser]

Finally found a forum that is populated! Now i can get the C&C i need. I've been shooting for about 3 months now, everyday im learning something new. I would like to know where i can improve


Cooper by TheLesFraser, on Flickr


Cooper by TheLesFraser, on Flickr


cooperxmas by TheLesFraser, on Flickr


DSC_0065 by TheLesFraser, on Flickr

 

[ewick]

Honestly your composition needs work. I don't say this to discourage you but in hopes you learn something new. Fix skin tones in pp and be be afraid to shoot wide open. Pay attention to your background (yes I know its a baby) What I mean by that is pick something with nice texture and something that will contrast.

 

[LesFraser]

Thanks ewick, i thought my compo was wrong. I shouldn't of labeled them Portraits more happy snaps. Skin tones i haven't touched in PP, would you suggest to take out some magenta? I know what you mean by shooting wide open, i have gotten lost in the 50mm prime lens and lack of props and shooting conditions.

Are the images well exposed? I'm trying the shoot to the right method and using my histogram to get enough data on the right hand side.

When i PP, i'll using a high pass sharpen to finish off an image. Is this a bad idea? I'm not sure if it looks any good?

Please keep the advise coming

 

[The_Traveler]

Baby shots come in three kinds, 1) look at me, I'm cute 2) look at the baby, it's so cute and 3) there's the baby looking really cuddly and soft - and cute.
The visual center of every shot must be the baby and maybe its interaction with whatever is attracting it and maybe a little of its surroundings if they add to the impression you want to convey of the baby and aren't a distraction.

I don't care much for the first two.
The first bothers me because I have a hard time looking at a eyes-open looking at me face that is at almost right angles to mine (I find myself twisting my head) and the depth of field is so shallow that too much is oof. Color and exposure are good however.
The second has a flashlight-under-the-chin-for-a-scary-face lighting thing going on and that's not flattering for a baby (or most people) and the baby is at an odd angle to the camera and there is lots of unnecessary stuff in the frame.

Three is I think the best of the three portraits.
The baby is engaged with the camera and people can look into its eyes and imagine they know what the baby is thinking, the sharpness and exposure are fine.
A bit too loosely framed, a bit too bright and too cold. (I would warm it up until the sclera of the eyes don't have a bluish tinge)
By framing tighter, the picture gets more interesting and there isn't all that empty space to drain away interest.

The fourth is a pretty cliched shot but parents and grandparents love it.
DOF a bit too tight (tips of baby's fingers oof) but still usable.
A bit too bright and the hand on left is way too bright, drawing my eye.
I would crop a bit, particularly to keep baby's neck from reappearing at top and drawing the eye and also to tighten up.

So burn in the hand, tone down brightness a bit and crop and it looks better to me.
Also looks good in sepia.

All in all, a very good start, I think.
Keep it up.

Lew

 

[paigew]

Cute baby #3 is my favorite. You have some beautiful light there! See the how his entire face is nicely lit (by a window I assume) but one side has a light shadow? That is what you want, 'directional light' gives depth to your photos. I would however have done a different comp, his arm/elbow is chopped and also you have some clutter in the background. I probably would have stood more behind the person holding the baby so you could have fit his whole body (without arm chops). Nice work, keep clicking! And for next time, it helps if you post your settings with the images. Welcome to tpf!

 

[SamiJoSchwirtz]

First one is adorable.

 

[LesFraser]

Thank you all for the great feedback, we've taken note of all suggestions. I'll get some more snaps and hopefully we can see an improvement.

Hope everyone had a merry xmas.