Why don't my portraits POP?

[RobCass]

I have no problem with Landscapes or other shots, but my studio shots just do not have a clarity or punch I think they should. I am looking for the glass like look (if that makes sense). I have 2 strobes and am NOT using the onboard flash on a Canon 50D with my Canon 85 / 1.8.

IMG_8447.jpg (image)
ISO: 100
SS: 1/250 @ 2.0

I also use ExpoDisc to adjust my white balance too.

I know the focus is on her hat and not on her eyes as it should be, but I am more concerned that the colors and PP is not what they could be.

I guess I am looking for some direction as to what I am missing in my PP to get these photos to POP more.

[SusanH1970]

The skin looks a tiny bit underexposed and very cool to me. Try warming it up a little, and adding a bit of brightness and contrast.

Out of curiosity, what is the mark on her cheek? Is it a scar or something done in PP?

Cute kid - I like the cheeky expression and the pose. I love the red, white and blue color scheme!

[Sime]

F2 in a strobe lit shot is not what I'd use... I'd go for something like 1/125th at f8 - I know what look you're after... and I know this might not be what you want to hear - sure, get your focus / depth of field bang on - but don't make the eyes really really glassy in post... I've just finished judging a competition with 200 faces, mostly cute kids, half of them destroyed IMO by the photog pushing their eyes in post to.. well... within an inch of their lives!!.. Really silly looking some of them... But, that siad - if that's the look you're after... shut down your aperture, around f8, tripod, focus dead in on the eyes, get your light right... away you go...

Hope that helps a little

Sime

[Sime]

haha - SwissTony - you nad I poked at f8 at the same time... (I just thought that was funny)

[HeyThereChelle]

She's super cute and has an adorable smile. I'd say bring the exposure up just a little, correct the focus, and move/bounce your light. It looks like the focus fell somewhere on her hat instead of her eyes. And the catchlights are small and very close to the center of her pupil. I think better catchlights and sharper focus on the eye would make this sing.

[RobCass]

Thanks for all the great suggestions and quick responses. I will try to reshoot this weekend @ f8 and watch the focus better and post what I come up with.

[zona5101]

if you can get a little more space between her and the background you will avoid the shadow back there...and when you go to f8 it will make sure the background stays out of focus...

[miked70]

At f2 you need to be very careful where your focus is need to use single focus point for this only the eyes use a tripod try from f5.6 to f16 shoot in raw and correct in post but keep taking shots this way you will master it.

[Benji]

The image is underexposed and it is flat lit, two major enemies of images that "pop." Side lighting will create shadows, and shadows create dimension and depth. Proper exposure will make the skin tones "healthy" looking. Then add some leaning, tilting twisting and turning in the pose for some "action" and you will have an image that has "pop." Of course it must also be focused properly, on portraits that means focus on the eyes.

Benji

[RobCass]

Taking into account all of your suggestions (Thanks), here is my second try which I like much better than the first image, but still do not know if the rest is PP or if there is anything else that I can do with my set-up.



Any additional suggestion are appreciated and welcome.

I did end up scrubbing of the stamp on my daughters face knowing it was very distracting.