As much critique as possible please!!!!

[blackorchid]

These are pictures taken of my friends baby, a practice 'commissioned' portrait. I have no professional photography experience, but would really like to get into the field when I can afford a proper course of some kind, but in the meantime, i would be grateful if you could take a look and tell me what you think about different elements of the photos, how i can improve them, correct problems/mistakes, what you think about the composition etc.

thanks!

p.s. i hope i have set this thread up correctly , i honestly have absolutely no idea what i'm doing - complete fluke if i manage

[lputman]

I've moved this from the critique section as it contained more than 1 photo. You should still be able to get some good feedback and dialogue here.

[tott7000]

I'm a newbie but here's my 2 cents. She is an adorable baby with beautiful blue eyes, but she needs her face washed. I think there are carrots on her nose and on the closeup her left (my right) eye shows signs of sleep. The lighting is a little harsh and too bright on one side and to many shadows on the other. The close up of her adorable face seems a little distorted. Might be better to use a longer lens and zoom in closer. Nice job on keeping the eyes as the main focal point and good and crisp. I love the pose of the last one if the lighting were softer.

[blackorchid]

Thanks for your thoughts tott7000! yes, it was carrot puree on her nose....perhaps i should have wiped that off as it is annoying me now! The only lighting was a little natural daylight (as it was shot in the evening), and my camera's in-built flash. I was very unsure what do as i really do not have any experience - at all. As for the long lens tip - agreed, I am hoping to get a longer lens as soon as I can afford one, but do you think it would help even if i used my current kit lens (18-55mm) and used the zoom as far as I could for these types of pictures? I fear i have a long way to go!

[nathanbarlow]

the first and third are good compositions. Not sure whats 'wrong' with the 2nd, but it might just her funny face... the fourth one, I can see what you were aiming to do, but IMO the eyes are the most important part.... you can cut the mouth out (if done right can be good), but eyes (for me) is a no no..

55mm is not really long enough IMO, unless you happen to being using a EF 55mm on a crop body (would make it more of an 80mm ish)? If your lens says EF-S, ignore what I said.

[rhoraq]

The first and third are my faves. Can see what you were trying to accomplish. I'm a newbie too and looks like your well on your way. Just practice, practice, practice and read up as much as you can on things like exposure and so on and you'll be good!