smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Hi everybody. I wasn't sure where to post this. Other sections are for C & A, but only allow one photo at a time and this is more a small series. So, if I'm wrong in posting here, please forgive me.

I've decided to focus on some of my weakest skills for the next few months (I don't really think I have any strong skills yet, but I know my weakest).

I've never been good with lighting or shooting people. I knew I was going to be sitting waiting for hours in the hospital last night. My brother was having a bit of surgery done and figured the hospital was a perfect place to figure out how to expose in junk lighting. I also figured I had my brother and my nephew trapped so I could practice on them and they couldn't run away.

I know these are not professional portraits. I know there's probably a ton wrong with them, but I'd like to learn what so that I can learn what to do different next time.

I wanted to remove the colorful stuff on the right, but every time I tried, it looked very noticeable.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

#s 1,3 and 4 look like regular room lighting.

But, #2....Looks like your light source could be from a window. Quality of light looks better. Great detail of face. Shadows give face good dimension.

Pat
Self proclaimed level of photography expertise...
"Snap Shot Guy"

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Thank you for commenting. There weren't any windows. I guess it was just light and positioning.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Do you give permission for some of us to edit your work? There a number of people here who could make changes you requested and return the photo to this topic.

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Sure, Bob. I'm always open to help.

infocus Loc: Australia

Seeing that you gave us permission I have just done a very quick edit on the first one. Just changed white balance to try for a better skin tone and removed the coloured things in the scene.

MagicFad Loc: Clermont, FL

Here is my version of editing out the unwanted objects in the first photo using Perfect Photo Suites 8 beta (available free at ononesoftware.com)

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Very nice, I knew it would look better without the colored mess there. An improvement for sure.

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=smcaleer]I checked you data on the first picture. The compositions are not real exciting but OK. If you camera does ISO 800 OK then I would set for that. The pictures are not too sharp. The rule I was taught is that the shutter speed should be equal to 1/mm lens. If you lens was 114, then speed should be 1/114. Yours was much slower. I very much like to see people experimenting and trying new things. I am not very good at portraits. Thanks for posting and asking for help. David

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

[quote=Meives]

I was trying to get my shutter speed fast enough, but don't like the photo results with higher iso's so I try everything else first. Thanks for looking and commenting.