New to this

[New to Photography 11]

Hi everyone,

I really need some feedback, I am trying to learn more about the difference between lenses ie, 50mm, 85mm etc for portraits as I want to buy a new lens for portraits.
I am new to photography and would love to improve on taking better portraits, and know what lenses are best for taking close ups of my kids, and what settings to use.

Thanks Heaps for any feedback on my photo.

Canon 450D
50mm
f1.8
1/800s
ISO 400

[BigFuzzy]

Hi and welcome to DPS and photography in general. I think you'll find we're a helpful bunch, but I hope you understand that you'll also, at times, get feedback that's maybe not what you want to hear nor sugar coated. If you can get past that, you'll learn a lot here.

In the end, I think, right now for you, learning the differences between two lenses is less relevant than nailing the basics about actually taking the image.

I say that because I see some basic issues with your image where the lens you used is irrelevant for the most part.

For example, and perhaps most importantly, I argue (and think many agree) that in a portrat such as this you absolutely have to nail the focus on the eyes. I think the focus falls on the nose though it's hard for me what part of the image actually is the sharpest.

This probably has to do with the fact that you used the central focus point and are unsure on how to use the "focus lock and recompose" technique? If so, you should read your manual and see how to lock the focus using a specific focal point and then recompose as desired.

Also, it seems to me you used auto exposure because it seems the camera tried to even out the exposure as best possible which resulted in the subject being underexposed. It's a result of having a bright element in the background for which the sensor tried to compensate for.

I like your composition (or crop) as the subject isn't dead in the center as so many who are new to it place the subject, so well done on that.

In the end, it's a portrait that has lots of potential but it's simply underexposed and not properly focused.

Learning exposure is something you really need to get familiar with. You need to be able to see this image on your viewfinder and know it's underexposed and what to do to compensate that, even it's simply to learn your 'exposure compensation' settings which is simple.

Think light every time. Get as much as you can on your subject and nail the focus and see where it goes.

Good luck and keep posting, I think you'll start learning a lot.

[ajax_andy]

I think BigFuzzy pretty much hit the nail on the head here.

You shot at a shutter speed of 1/800s which is far to quick for in indoor, poor light shot like this... you should really be as slow as possible without it leading to blur from the child moving or camera shake. I'm no expert but you could have gone as low as 1/125 and got a better exposed shot without any blurring.

I'd learn exposure before buying a new lens, and then maybe an off camera flash too which
will help with indoor shots like this.

A common mistake is just to throw money at photography in order to get better shots, when in fact it doesn't make much difference unless you have the skills to match. I play guitar (badly) and take photo's (a little better... I hope), both are skills that I have had to learn, and both require lots of practice and learning... Buying a new expensive guitar wont make my guitar playing any better, and its the same with photography.

I like the composition though and I think thats a strong point of this photo.

Above all keep practicing and practicing, the best ways to improve are to take as many pics as possible as there's no better way to learn.

[Hill Country Hack]

I want to follow what the others have stated. The composition is fine, but more work is needed in the basics. There are plenty of resources both from us here and other tutorials. I have spent much time reading through them. Composition, framing, action, portraits etc. The best thing about digital is one can take all the photos they want for practice and just delete and start again. Not like the old days of the expense of film and processing just to look at ugly shots. Take the time to actually "look" at what you want to shoot. Your minds eye will guide you. And most importantly, look at the light, where, how much, how little. Light is a photographers best friend and worst enemy if used poorly. Best of luck in your endeavores.

[New to Photography 11]

Thanks heaps for all your constructive comments, I appreciate everything that you have all said and I will be looking into all your points on focusing, recomposing, exposure and so on. It's great to have honest feedback like this so we may improve on what we are trying to achieve and thanks for letting me know the positives like getting and ok composition, (no cropping) nice to see I achieved some aspect to an ok standard

Once again Cheers

[roostabunny]

I'd also echo the previous comments about focus & exposure as well as your good composition, and I'll add that a 50mm f/1.8 prime is a dang outstanding portrait lens. I've got two little girls, and this lens loves them.

But what I learned the hard way with this lens is that the focus range is paper-thin at f/1.8, especially when you're close enough to fill more than half the frame with a cute baby face.

So, yes, practice the lock-focus-and-reframe technique, but also consider going to f/2.0 or f/2.2 when there's enough light. You'll still get super creamy out-of-focus backgrounds this lens is famous for, but you'll also give yourself a little more buffer (depth of field, if we're being technical) to get the focus right.

Cheers,
Josh

[joleephoto]

I think these are all great comments. Definitely work on your focus, composition and exposure.

When you're ready to think about a new lens, Pioneer Woman posted a good blog entry today where she takes photos with different lenses so you can actually see the differences between each lens, and how the lenses can distort your subject (making their eyes different sizes, their face too round, etc.). This might help you decide which lenses you want for taking pictures of your kids.