GWMH Loc: Kisumu, Kenya, East Africa

I was asked by my friend to take a portrait for him. This is my first attempt at portrait photography, and I was wondering what your opinions are? Critique welcome, and I'm wearing a hard hat :)
Also, feel free to edit them any way you please.

Specs: tripod-mounted Nikon D3000, 18-200mm lens, two speedlights (one bounced off ceiling, the other used with a Stofen Omni-bounce.
both photos: 1/30sec. @ f/5.6 ISO 200 focal length 52mm


GWMH's little bro

notnoBuddha

I would suggest either a wider view or a closer crop which would be my first guess. In general you want to take care about cutting your subjects off at the joints and I would suggest filling more of the frame with the subject. Black does make the subject stand out but you may want to try a more neutral color or even a very soft, out of focus background - something less stark. I would also suggest at least one frontal view - you may like it. Having ran of at the mouth, be aware that I seldom take these and you did a real nice job for what I know.

GWMH Loc: Kisumu, Kenya, East Africa

Thanks for your comments...yeah, we did do some straight at the camera shots, but he liked these better. I did do some more cropping too on some, but forgot to do it on these. As for the background, well, that was about all I had as far as a solid color.

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

Other than your histogram being off a little bit .. great shots... He's going to love these when he's older.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Good job. (Except I'd have preferred a tighter crop. What's the old saying? "If You've Lost the Feet - Lose the Knees"?)

There is a great Ebook that I have by WAYNE RADFORD that is all about portraits...lighting, posing, backgrounds, etc.

It's the most valuable portrait book I've come across and you might benefit from it...I know I have.

That's not to say that you didn't do a good job, but these made me think of it.

The book is called "portrait tips and techniques" and is in PDF format.

Anyway...good job.

BGenie Loc: Sacramento, CA

If his skin isn't normally pinkish/red, then that is probably being caused by your flash. I'd suggest using some natural light from a window to get rid of it.

Second, his face is 'looking' one direction, his eyes are looking another, he body language is 'stiff' and uncomfortable as well.
If you have a remote control for your camera, use it. Have him looking and talking in your direction as you stand off to the side of the frame, at least 2-3 feet away from the camera. Hold the remote behind your back so that (1) he can't see you click the shutter therefore, he does not have the chance to stiffen up and give you that fake smile, and (2) so that the remote is in line-of-sight of the cameras' receiver, this way you do not have to turn away from him to click the shutter. Just be sure you are standing to the side of the camera, not in front of it!
Also, remember this isn't a proctologist exam, you aren't going to get out the KY and a rubber glove, so he should just relax and think of pleasant things, and it's YOUR job to get him thinking that way! Talk to him about some girl, remind him of something funny in your childhood etc... coax that natural smile and relaxed body language from him.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I think we have a nominee for quote of the day :)

wrr Loc: SEK

Very good information, it's these nuggets of wisdom that makes this forum such a great place to learn. Thank You...

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Here is a good video about posing that I got a lot out of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4BUURMFtFg

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I was going to mention the skin tones and his gaze being off but BGenie beat me to it. The limb chops have also been mentioned.

Focus looks a little soft to me as well, when focusing are you focusing on the corner of the eye closest to the camera? You also need some separation from the background, his hair is blending into it.

What were your settings?

GWMH Loc: Kisumu, Kenya, East Africa

Yeah, his skin is naturally rather pinkish/red, so I think that's fairly normal. I was using a remote release, but he usually knew when the picture was coming...I guess he does look a little stiff/unnatural, but, hey, it was my first time!

GWMH Loc: Kisumu, Kenya, East Africa

Bingo!

GWMH Loc: Kisumu, Kenya, East Africa

If you're looking for exif data, I posted that...what else?

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

ya... sometimes posting from my phone sucks... I miss alot of stuff that is further up in the thread, sorry.

You should be able to lower your ISO and up your aperture to help with separating the subject from the background (don't take this as the word of god, as I am just starting with studio lighting as well). I would also up the shutter speed, if possible, that might help get the eyes nice and crisp at 1/30 if he blinked you will get a little blurring.

BGenie Loc: Sacramento, CA

If he knows when the picture is coming, then you are in some way (words, body language) telling him... and you are not taking enough photos... by keeping the shutter clicking randomly, he will not know (and neither will you) which shots are throw-aways and which are keepers, and he will not have the ability to keep up the stiff smile and posture the whole time. By shooting randomly, you might catch him in a 'down' moment ...and that will be the best shot of the day.