Portaits of my son

[dlambert]

Hi, all -

Although I've taken plenty of candid snapshots of my son, this was my first attempt at actually trying to get him to pose for some photos. Among other things, this was also my first attempt at using an off-camera flash for fill. I'd love any input you might have (lighting, post-processing, etc.).



Canon 30D / 50mm F/1.8
Shot in Manual at F/3.2, 1/200, ISO 100, on-camera flash + off-camera slave

I believe that if I were doing this again, I'd look at using an N/D filter so I could open the aperture for better bokeh, but I thought this didn't turn out bad for a first try.

Here are a couple more from the same shoot..

[MrJones]

nice photo!
you would have gotten a blurry bokeh if you steped a little closer which I think you should have done anyway cause the space behind him doesn't do it for me.
general advice, if you're going to shoot people in the center of the photo, at least make it a closeup shot.
you should read a bit about compositions, it really does make or break the photo.
again, it's a nice photo but it can be a great one!
good luck

[Laurenbiz]

Hi there-

The only thing that bothers me here is that the front branch is blocking part of him. I do like the idea of him leaning against a tree, but I definitely don't like part of the tree to be in front of him.

Perhaps a different tree, or even this same shot just from a different angle?

[SuperDan]

my opinion.. i like the tree breaking him into two... it helps frame him even more and the v it has pushes your eyes up to his

nice job on the off camera...
my only complaint is the shadow it created on his right side of his face... a reflector or using another flash would take care of that