Practicing people

[Civchic]

I've only just started with DSLR photography - have a basic camera (Canon T3), kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8. Landscapes and pretty macros of flowers I love doing, but portraiture (ESPECIALLY indoors) has always been incredibly frustrating. I know what I want to see, and just hadn't been able to accomplish it. After much reading and looking at photos, and learning how my lens really works, I came up with these on the weekend (Ontario Science Centre). I'm pretty happy with them, but CC definitely welcome.
(These are my kids, btw. They are helpful models).


feb 22 serious drummer by civgirlca, on Flickr


feb 22 jungle by civgirlca, on Flickr


feb 22 the band 2 by civgirlca, on Flickr

All were taken with the 50mm lens, set at f/2.5, in Av mode. ISO 800. No flash.

 

[mmaria]

the first thing you're doing good is that you shoot them at they level.

#1 and #3 if your intention was to show them play then I need to see they're playing and I really can't figure out what is that thing in #1. shallow dof here doesn't work for me.

#2 include legs and feet in this kind of portraits

I'm sure someone else will say a bit more

 

[ronlane]

^^^ agreed with mmaria. Also, in #3, the bright spot in the background draws my attention away from the subject. Maybe a step or two to your left would have helped in this situation.

 

[EOV]

With that 50mm lens take a step or two back to avoid cutting of their heads or other body parts. I agree with Maria that your are on the right track by getting down to their level.

 

[Civchic]

Thanks for the comments! I'm glad I've got the right idea - and I have no idea why I continuously seem to enjoy cutting off body parts (it happens a lot). I will work on that.

Mmaria, I'm trying to understand your comment about "need to see them play"? Do you mean more motion, or more of what they are playing with? It's a steel drum, by the way. The sticks are tethered with cords so that they don't walk away.