New to Photography - Looking for feedback

[NRLikes]

From Raven

Bought a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 - Took this shot shortly after removing the lens from the box. I'm interested in taking portraits and am looking for feedback on what is right and wrong with this photo.....Thanks!

Camera: Nikon D3100
Lens: 50mm f/1.8
ISO: 1100
Exposure: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 1.8
Focal Length: 50mm

[Eileen D]

Welcome to DPS! This is a great place to learn more about photography from some very experienced and generous people.

You have a very nice model here but she is looking so far to her right that we see mostly the whites of her eyes. She doesn't need to be looking at the camera but IMO the image would be more successful if her shoulders were less square with the lens and her face turned more toward it.

I look forward to seeing more of your work here!

[dandellion]

Welcome to DPS!

I'd go for a closer crop. This background doesn't add anything to the photo so why keeping it?

Forehead and chin have big overexposed zones. While I'm by no means "puritan" about clippings (actually, I love playing with them) in this case they are not doing good for the image.

As Eileen said, her look would be better if she looked a bit more to the camera.

I like the DoF.

Beautiful and interesting model btw.

[NRLikes]

Eileen & Dandelion - THANK YOU for your feedback, it helps me more than you know.

Yes, she is a beautiful subject....And also my daughter so I am lucky to have her pose for me!

I also started my Project 365 on January 1st. I thought it would be a great way for me to learn about my camera and photography techniques!

Have a great day!

[ptrbee]

I agree, nice model, closer crop or recompose using rule of thirds her looking into the space possibly...

[naeno]

She is lovely. If you look closely, you'll notice that the focus fell on her hair rather than her eyes. Portraiture is almost always about eyes. Also, when a person is looking off camera, they should have space to look into. With the center weighted crop, the majority of "space" is behind her head, making the picture appear a bit unbalanced.

Keep clicking!