My First Serious Digital Portrait

[owiej616]

I am new into digital photography. I am so overwhelmed with what we can do with our shots after we click. Would there be anything else that I would have done to make this picture better? I only used an 18 to 55 mm Nikkor Lens at 55mm setting. The blurred background was done using Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Nikon D3000
1/125
f5.6
ISO160
55mm

[BigFuzzy]

It may be me, but I think the link is broken.

[owiej616]

Ah, there you go. I finally got it. Big fuzzy, I would really appreciate your comment.

[BigFuzzy]

Ok after seeing it now, I have some thoughts.

First is the post processing. The blurred background is veeeery obvious. There is a very noticeable edge around her head/face. Big no no. Needs to much more subtle. I understand your wanting nice bokeh and being limited by your lens, but this was trying too hard. If you like these types of shots, invest in a cheap f/1.8 50mm lens. I love mine!

Is it me or this more of a candid than a portrait? Feels more like a candid than a planned portrait.

Exposure and colors look nice. And focus seems well done.

Composition seems a bit centered... maybe have left a little space in the direction she's looking..well, to the right since she's looking down.

I would have liked to see some of her eyes.. doesn't have to be looking at the camera, but would have liked to see something.

It's a personal taste thing, but I don't like trademarks in general, and especially big ones. But lots will like that you're doing it.

One piece of advice I always give is this: When you see something you'd like to photograph, always ask, how can I make this different... otherwise it looks like any other shot someone else can take..

Good luck, decent start, just think about getting it right in camera, then play with it after that! Keep clicking

[owiej616]

Thanks a lot big fuzzy. Great advice. I will post some more soon.

[Elyzabeth]

Well, i personally love that she is looking down, it does look candid but i also think it is really pretty. I say good job. The colors are also beautiful.

[irishmuth]

I cheap 1.8 lens is a great investment (I think mine was $89 online). However, I disagree that your digital bokeh is very obvious...considering some of the edits I've seen that tried to do bokeh in PP, I think you did a pretty good job.

[laurel2sg]

Very well focus, background with some pink warm the picture alot which is fits with young girl.

I think you did very well pp even it's a bit obvious.

[owiej616]

Originally Posted by Elyzabeth

Well, i personally love that she is looking down, it does look candid but i also think it is really pretty. I say good job. The colors are also beautiful.

Thank you so much for the comment. I really thought this is a good shot. I really love candid shots and did find good pictures of subjects looking down. Although I believe the best focal point of a portrait is the eyes.

[owiej616]

Originally Posted by irishmuth

I cheap 1.8 lens is a great investment (I think mine was $89 online). However, I disagree that your digital bokeh is very obvious...considering some of the edits I've seen that tried to do bokeh in PP, I think you did a pretty good job.

I also though I did good with the bokeh. I never did any shortcuts and did as accurate as I can with the rendering. Thank you for the positive comment.