An Attempt at Portrait Photography

[Natasha Laws-Mick]

Shooting 100 people that I know or meet, a take on the 100 strangers photography studies. Here is my first photo. Its a photo of my Uncle at my Grandparents. What do you think I could have done to improve this shot? I edited it with picnik to make it black and white and to soften the background some. Any pointers for my future photos?

The camera is
Camera LG Electronics
Model VX-9700


Here is a link to some of my other photos.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1097062...eat=directlink
Thank you in advance.

[commongrackle]

My first suggestion - don't use picnik. Secondly, the texture or effect or...whatever that is...obscures his face. Sometimes less is more, I would have gone with just the black and white conversion, perhaps.

[commongrackle]

I do have to say, I like the composition and I like the way the background is blurred.

[Daxal]

Like the image and the composition, agree with commongrackle on the effects .

[Natasha Laws-Mick]

Thanks for the quick feedback! The effect I used was the Holga-ish effect on picnik. The sun also happened to be shining in my subject's face when the portrait was taken as well. But I appreciate honest critiques of my work, so thank you both! Am preparing to leave to do the weekly assignment ten minutes from home. Wish me luck, lol.

[swiftmed]

I like the composition etc, but the affect you've used on the picture - looks a bit like a steamy window in your bathroom after a shower - doesn't look very good, in my opinion. It obscures the picture and that is what put me off.

Im a total newbie, so please don't rely on my feedback as 'criticism' as such, but more of a personal non-professional opinion.