What am I doing wrong?

[n2hawaii]

I just can't seem to figure out the "thing" I see so many photographers are able to do and I just don't know where to start looking for answers. Haven't gotten an answer from a book or person that will help, I am desperate!

It's on CLARITY in portraits... the kind of portrait that faces look so crisp and smooth almost like you can wrap your hand around it. I know adult skin has flaws, but these pictures' skin looks flawless. I don't know rules on showing samples that are from other websites so I wont, but here is one of my portraits. Think Childrens Place catalog baby faces. (but not studio lit - more outdoor stuff)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vMhJp4kvsx...h/Smith+55.jpg

It works because I add sort of a purposeful textured look to it, but on demand, I'd like to know what exactly makes that rounded perfect face portrait with perfect color! Mine seem so flat and 1 dimensional.

I don't know if its 1. my limited knowledge 2. My camera 3. my lens or 4. Post processing
Any help is soooo appreciated!

I use Nikon D90 18-105 lens. Aperture setting to f5.3 1/30

Here is that sample link I was talking about.... if only
http://www.brookeashleyphotography.com

ANY HELP I would LOVE!!!

[kencaleno]

white balance was wrong-yellow face,and background underexposed,and needed a sharpen. Ken

[dakwegmo]

There's really no rules preventing you from linking to other people's photos, just don't post the image itself within your post. It'll help if we can see what you're talking about in others' portraits to give you an idea of what you can do to achieve the same results.

[cphoniball]

It's a combination of several things.

What's probably the most important is the lens you're using. Most portrait photographers will use a fast prime in the 50-100mm range (I don't know about Nikon, but Canon makes a mean 85mm 1.8 that is great for portraits). The important thing with the prime, apart from the sharpness, is the large aperture - it lets you nail focus down on the eyes and leave very little else in focus.

A lot of the smooth skin is probably post-processing or makeup beforehand.

If you really want to get serious about portraiture I'd suggest at least getting a nifty fifty and using that for a while. It's cheap and will let you play around with primes... other than that, look up some portrait processing techniques. Although be careful not to go overboard with the post-processing; keep it natural-looking. Enhance the skin, don't replace it.

Hope that helped, good luck!

[SuperStubbs]

nikon makes a 50mm 1.8 and 1.4 lens that both are excellent lenses, especially for portraits. AND the 1.8 can be had for around $130 bucks. The 1.4 jumps quite a bit to around $350. Both are auto-focus, but only if it's in the camera body.

[n2hawaii]

THanks so much for your replies already...
I actually have a 55mm 1.8 that I love the limited focus. But still can't quite figure out the skin tone. Anyone have a tip on getting great exposure, or an action in photoshop that gets the face and skin looking as real as possible?

Here is a link to a site that I love and shows that perfectly clean soft skin look while all colors are bold and bright.
Las Vegas Photographer I Newborn, Child, Maternity, Engagement, Family

ANY HELP I would LOVE!!!

[cphoniball]

For exposure, if your camera has a spot-metering mode, put it in that and then meter off an evenly lit area of skin.

As for the skin tone, first make sure your white balance is spot on, and then you really need to learn a bit more about photoshop. There are a couple books out, one that was recommended to me that contains quite a bit of information is "Skin".

[nathanbarlow]

cant help with your request, but would like to say that the 'tweak' someone did above, looks worse IMO. The dark background is good. and the yellowish tinge is better than the blueish tinge the PP gave. Having said that the yellow isnt great, just better than blue.

[jcph]

We have the same dilemma! Ive been trying to see how my photos will come up just like that on the website. But then no luck. I think its more on what kind of lens you are using.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

white balance was wrong-yellow face,and background underexposed,and needed a sharpen. Ken

It's called style on purpose, ken.

Most portrait photographers use a fast prime lens for their work: a 50mm f/1.8, or an 85mm or longer! These are often great at delivering the "micro-contrast" that makes things really pop off the screen.

With your D90, go out and get yourself a Nikon 50mm f/1.8D and enjoy it.