Natural light Portraits

[Ambrosia76]

Some how I made a whole post in here and it disappeared. I took some pics on a family photo walk yesterday if you wish to view the whole set it is on flickr. I am trying to improve my lighting ability and composition. I noticed yesterday that I am also having problems with focus.

Anyway tell me what you think of the lighting,focus and composition in this photo





Taken on April 10, 2011 at 7.32am EDT
Exif data

Camera Canon EOS 60D
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/4.0
Focal Length 75 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[jonnyquest45]

It appears at least on my work monitor not calibrated at all mid you (i deal with databases and spread sheet) that it is a tiny bit over exposed it looks as if the detail on the left side of his face is all but gone. also he appears to be squinting. i think the focus is catching his hair in the front and not his eyes.

[BigFuzzy]

It's tough to see where the focus falls, so it's either on his hair or missed it entirely. Make sure you know how to focus-lock and recompose instead of using the central auto-focus point which is what I think it happening looking at some of your other images. If you're unsure what I mean, look up the focus-lock function in your manual (typically half pressing your shutter and holding then recomposing).

Lighting it ok, if a bit bright. I'd try to lower the exposure just a bit, but not much. Feels a bit flat, so try bumping the clarity (or contrast)depending on software you use.

Composition is what is a let down for me. Yes, I like the square crop, which is often good for centered subjects. But, for me at least, the dead center composition is a bit boring.

I generally like this image and your use of DoF and the nice lighting so with just a few small changes it would have the "pop" it's missing for me.

[Ambrosia76]

Thanks for all the input. I have this monitor calibrated but for some reason I still can't get it right,every time I think a photo looks right I pull it up on one of our other monitor and it looks completely different.

Yes he is squinting, he is always squinting because he is nearly blind and should be wearing glasses,but has lost yet another pair and I can't afford a new pair so he will have to wait til may when the insurance will pay for them again.

That is one thing I am having trouble figuring out on my canon 60d it the focus points,I have read the manual and tried it on different setting, but I must be doing something wrong.

[Ambrosia76]

nevermind..................

[JFSanders]

The exif says this was taken at 7:32am. But the shadows suggest closer to noon? I would say to help your focus try stopping down to F/5.6 or F/8 this will give a greater DOF and also help you from blowing out the highlights on the sunny side of his face. Also, if you could find some open shade his eyes will open up. Tell him that it is ok if he can't see you as he is just standing there. He is far enough from the background that it should still be out of focus. Also, move back some and go to 85mm or 90mm. I think you will find it easier to compose. Jim

[Ambrosia76]

Thanks, It was actually about 9:30 am I am not sure why the time is off will check my camera.


I got a couple of pics with his eyes a little more open, If hubby wasn't wearing sunglasses in all his pics you would see that the squinty eyes are hereditary...LOL

This pic was taken in full on shade,still the squinty eyes



Surprisingly he took some pretty good pics with my little point and shoot that was passed down to him when I gave daughter my Fujifilm finepix 1500. The little point and shoot obviously has better vision than him...LOL

[JFSanders]

Oh, well if Dad has the same eyes then he is just a serious no nonsense hombre. Jim

[Ambrosia76]

I always tell my husband he has a little asian in him somewhere, or it might be because my MIL who is actually German loves chinese food so much she will eat it everyday.

Hubby's eyes are so bad he can't go outside without the sunglasses, he can't see in the sunlight.

Doesn't make for a very photogenic family. Older Daughter has the squinty eyes too. Young daughter is the only one who doesn't have them and it is funny cause she is the only one with blue eyes instead of green and blue eyes are usually more sensitive to light.