Cute as a button...

[biancazee]

This is a part of my final project for my photography class.I chose to do portraits as my final and i'm absolutely in love with b&w photography. Is this portfolio material?

f: 5.6
shutter: 1/200
ISO: 400
Focal length: 55mm
Camera: Nikon D3000 and on-board flash

[EmyB]

Hi there! Welcome to DPS.

I am only a newbie but I personally don't particularly like this photo. The kid has a real "deer in headlights" look about him. The composition isn't interesting either, he's smack bang in the middle. The black and white conversion looks a bit "newsprint" like and doesn't so anything for me.

What do you like about this particular photo?

[biancazee]

I really liked the texture of the background and the fact that I caught his attention, hence "deer in headlights". I had been trying to catch his new pearly whites and this was the best i got.

Thanks for the feedback!

[MindyRaeL]

I don't mind his expression. But I would try cropping off some of the right side, to make him a little less centered. And I would suggest working on the B&W conversion a little more. It looks a little muddy to me. It's all shades of grey, and no real back or white. I would play with curves or levels (whichever you prefer) and add a little more contrast. He's a very cute little guy!

[graciousness]

Originally Posted by biancazee

I really liked the texture of the background and the fact that I caught his attention, hence "deer in headlights". I had been trying to catch his new pearly whites and this was the best i got.

Thanks for the feedback!

I think the thing that you need to be watchful for is background. When doing portraits, it really does work best when the background is simple. Textures in backgrounds are nice, but if it's going to compete and distract attention away from your main subject, then the photo will not work too well. Beginners seem to think that having a nice, pretty, or textural background will make a portrait better but in reality, it doesn't. If you look at photos done by professionals and more seasoned photographers, you'll find that the key to beautiful portraits are simplicity.

Keep your focus nice and simple - decide which is your subject and leave your focus on that.

I also agree with tbe B&W conversion. I'd play with it more a little bit in post processing to make it pop more. It is too muddy at the moment.

[biancazee]

thank you for your input. i will definitely work more on the b&w conversion and i'll work on the cropping as well. i appreciate your input. i absolutely love photography and i definitely want to progress more.

[ajax_andy]

I'd also add that as you are taller and looking down on the child it doesn't exactly create a feeling of being in their world.

With children I feel it's always best to get down to their eye level to avoid the feeling of them being small and you towering over them