Would LOVE some advice/help.

[JenniferClement]

Please view my Portrait Practice Flickr photostream: Portrait Practice - a set on Flickr

I'm new at DSLR photography. I got an Olympus E-620 at Christmas and have just really started playing around with it now that the weather is getting nice. I attempted to take my daughter's Senior Pictures and also a few of my husband for extra portrait practice.

Some are taken with the kit lens (40-150mm f/4.0—5.6) and some are with the Zuiko 50mm f/2.0 lens. Edited them in ACR and Photoshop CS5.

Any advice and constructive criticism is appreciated. I seem to have the most trouble getting sharpness and also the right lighting. Any suggestions on how to improve this?

Thanks!

~ Jennifer

[Niresangwa]

Hi Jennifer..

the flickr set looks good, however, the critique section has rules listed in the sticky (1 image per day, include exif, see guidelines on image size) that will help you make the most out of the section..

...my advice would be to pick out what you feel to be the best, and post it, along with the Exif data, and i'm sure people will be more than happy to help you out.

Steve

[JenniferClement]

Okay - Thank you, Steve. I will! I am sorry I didn't read that sticky. I thought it might be easier to see a whole set to determine what needs to be worked on overall as a style and technical aspects that seem to repeat in my photos. Hard to tell sometimes from just one image. Thank you, again!

[gturner]

very nice set, you have a lot going for you!
I would read, lots. Mostly about the technical aspects of the camera and then how best to apply that in the real world.

[commongrackle]

I think you have some good shots that are going in the right direction. I think you need to become more aware of light and how it is affecting your images, I think the last few images where she is with the bike have the best lighting. Also, the colours in some of the photos seem too vibrant or oversaturated. I think you have a good eye for some interesting locations.

[JenniferClement]

Thanks for the feedback. I have ordered "Understanding Exposure" so that I can try to get better with my camera settings. I am mostly shooting in Aperture Priority but have had issues with pics being under and over exposed. It is much easier to adjust the exposure in ACR if they are underexposed than over but I want to get it right in camera. I haven't really shot with a DSLR since the '80s and then it was an SLR/film and my shots had to look right SOOC. This is like learning to ride a bike again but harder!! I'm frustrated with lighting and knowing when is the right time of day to try to shoot. (I've never really shot portraits much before.) I have tried all different times of day and it is hit or miss. Guess it is all getting the understanding of bracketing and stopping down my camera. So much to learn. I want to get good! (Doesn't everyone?!!) Again, thank you for the helpful feedback.

[commongrackle]

Well, you're already ahead of the game, because you do have an eye for it, IMHO.

[JenniferClement]

Thanks, Danielle! I'm working on it!!