Black & White Wife

[jsklinger@yahoo.com]

Hi all,
This is my first post to the Portraits forum. Never thought I would enjoy portraits much. But then I took a few of my wife the other day and I really like how this came out.

Let me know what you would recommend for improvement.

The EXIF data is:
Nikon D80
105 mm VR
1/100
f/2.9
ISO 100

[KathrynWilson]

It looks like you did a great job on bokeh, focus and exposure, especially given your aperture and SS, so well done!

The black and white conversion leaves your wife's skin tones a bit 'muddy' - i.e. the lightness has become middle grey and lacks contrast. I have had a play with that below. Otherwise fantastic!

[jsklinger@yahoo.com]

Kathryn,
Thanks for the edit, I like it, but more importantly, my wife likes! :-)

I am a newbie here, what is SS?
Jim

and I know I am going to be embarrassed when you tell me.....

[wulf]

Shutter speed would fit. Another one to watch for is DoF (depth of field), which you will see used frequently.

Wulf

[deck]

Hi, the portrait looks good, but i would suggest to have a lighter background, notice the hair blends to the background already?
Depending on the mood, some portraits call for a separation of the subject and the background, sort of a 3D effect which can be achieved by proper lighting, since you seem to like what you did, try searching up on "strobist" websites and you may find ways of improving on portraiture
Deck

[WooD]

I agree it wood look a lot better with a lighter background.

I think you did a perfect job shooting someone with glasses. It almost looks as if there is no glass in the frames.

[tweetspie]

I have a dark monitor, so it may be lighter than I think it is, but here is your wife with a lighter background. I like it on my screen lol