First try on portrait shot..criticism highly needed,..

[sbv]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23975140@N03/2282242614/" title="IMG_0027 by isk_111, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/2282242614_e80995dbb8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0027" /></a>

this is my first try on portrait shot so pls bear with me if it doesnt look that stunning yet..i shot this in my apartment and i think for once.,i was able to get the "blurry background" effect. i know there's alot of things needed to do to make this picture to be decent at least so feel free to post them up. thanks!!

exif
Camera: Canon S3 IS
camera mode: Av
Shutter speed: 1/13
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal length: 20.7mm
ISO 100
Compensation +1/3

[clockdoc]

By "portrait shot" were you referring to using the Portrait mode on your camera that tends to favor a larger aperture? Nice sharpness and tonal quality in the roses. The background is starting to blur. You will find that the longer the focal length of lens used, and the closer you are to the subject, the more pronounced the blur. May want to watch the background and try for one that is a little less busy in your next shooting session.

I see that your white balance was set to "Cloudy." Was that by choice? The WB setting can be used effectively to 'warm' up a scene.

[sbv]

thank you for the nice comment sir!
well..i didnt really use portrait mode on my camera but instead i used the Aperture-Priority Mode. i will take note of the focal length and how close i am to the subject next time..and for the busyness in the background., i was just roaming around my apartment trying to look for something i could use to try things out and i saw my sister's flowers,i put it on the table and started shooting.,hence the busy background..haha..

as per the white balance, yes i intentionally set it to cloudy. i have another shot on my flickr that is set to auto (click here pls) (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2282241792_b45f785894.jpg) and i think between the two, the pictures posted above gives emphasis to the "yellowness" of the flower.

again, thanks for the comment clockdoc! really appreciate it!!

[wulf]

I've moved this one over to "Other - Critique" since there is no person depicted.

My suggestion would be to take a shot like this from slighly further back, which then gives you room to experiment with different crops to frame the image. Here you have chopped off the bottom edges of the lower two flowers. Would it be better if all three flowers were shown in full? A more loosely framed picture would give you scope to experiment.

Wulf