Family Portraits

[Jillybean_tx]

I am new to DSLR photography and have only had my camera for a few months so I am still learning how to use it.
I wanted to take some family portraits and hopefully use one for our Christmas Card this year. Attached are the two photos I like the most out the ones I took. Please let me know if they are OK or what I could've and should've done differently to make them better photos. Anything I can do to process them to look better?
Thanks for your help.

Photo #1


Photo #2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillybe...81124/sizes/l/
Canon EOS XSi
Program Mode: Program AE
Exposure: 1/160
Aperture: 10.0
Focal Length: 34mm
ISO: 100

[private]

if I had to chose I would pick the top one. The biggest issue I see is that you cannot see anyones eyes. And the second one, the santa hat casts too many shadows so you cannot see your sons face. I will say that the camera did a GREAT job with the exposure. The sky looks perfect.

If you have the opportunity to reshoot, I would, just make sure the sun is not in front of you that way we can see your eyes...

[kelleyrie]

the sun is casting a harsh shadow, so for next time I would take the photos later in the day or super early in the day. That will get rid of the shadowing and you can use a bit of fill flash if needed. I like the first better than the second for the same reasons above.

[Jillybean_tx]

Thanks for the input. I thought by shooting at 10AM the sun wouldn't be so bright but after I downloaded the photos I thought it was a little too bright.

I am going to try to re-shoot them (if I can get my husband to cooperate) and hopefully will get it right this time.

Thanks again for the comments and ideas.

[YorkieCrazy]

Perhaps take it in the shade or hope for an overcast day.