tresap23 Loc: Texas

I am taking a few online photography courses. My assignment, in one of my courses, was "Portraiture" photography. Taking photos from different focal lengths and angles, also, not just taking a picture of the person, but setting the tone, mood and telling a story. Using creative thinking when taking portraits, and to tell the viewer something about the subject. I have the best son a mom could ask for, to make me happy, he agreed to be my model. So I drug him all over town and took pics. Here are a few. I think I did pretty good on the composition? Let me know. I know there are a lot more things I need to learn, and I am aware that I can do better on getting sharper images. Any constructive advice is appreciated. I want to improve my skills. I love photography, and want to get better. Also, the class focused on getting out of "auto" mode. I use auto very little, so all pics were shot in manual mode. I haven't learned it all. I forget to change certain settings when I change scenes. But I am getting there. Thanks in advance for your comments. "T"

This might be important (checking his phone/candid shot)

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Places to go

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Deep in thought

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Taking a rest (he was impressedwith a local artist Murial and he wanted a pic with it in the background)

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All Smiles (how he is 99.9 percent of the time)

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Showing Off (he was joking around and I snapped a pic. It was overexposed so I made the best of it in PP)

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rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The first one has potential, but is overexposed. additionally, there is too much surrounding which minimizes the subject. Lastly, composition. I'd prefer to have him positioned left of the middle of the photo, looking at his phone, but also looking towards the center of the photograph.

If you intended to position him such, as a means of shutting out the world while he tends to his phone, that works a bit better. But you would need some way of portraying that to the viewer.
--Bob

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks for your feedback. I will see what I can fix on the first one. Although I am not that great with PS. I might can get a better crop though. Again, appreciate your comments.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Enjoyed viewing these!
No critique from me as i'm a mere mortal, "snap shot guy".
I'm thinking other props for story telling...reading a book, I don't know what else.
If you do more, I hope you post them.
Pat

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks Pat, for taking time to view and comment. I took so many photos. But none, other than him and his phone, or him and his car. LOL Wish I had thought to bring a book along. great suggestion.

Say Cheese Loc: Eastern PA

On the third picture my eyes go directly to the tee shirt and I find it hard to get to the subject. When you see the subjects face I can't help to wonder what is he looking at with that curiosity in his eyes. His eyes make the picture.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

I would be interested to hear what your instructor says about these. Personally, I use the word "portrait" in a traditional sense and style, so much of what professionals do would not be my idea of a portrait--even when they are good pictures of people. The one sitting on the window sill looking out is the closest to what I consider a portrait. The one in the overcoat is close to what I consider fashion photography. Your textbook ought to have a chapter (or more) about lighting portraits--the different types and the appropriate balances between lighter and darker sides, etc.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

You have to start some where, asking for critique is a way to get input from others. You like most of us have trouble mastering light in different places. I have the same problem, but with experience you will recognize and learn to handle each situation. One of the hardest things to learn is exposure compensation. You maybe should bracket your exposure and go to the aperture priority mode. I started my granddaughter into photography just a few months ago and stressed to her the importance of it. With light changing in scenes that you were shooting, the lighting is not constant and changing by the minute or even seconds. Shooting with continuous shooting can also work at times. Over all not a bad job, most were over exposed but that can be handled by experience.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Yeah, I see it now! Should have focused more on his eyes. Thanks This is why I love this forum!

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks. I was constantly changing ISO SS and Aperture and setting my exposure compensation. (which I forget to change according to lighting) I took lots of photos in the same settings, these are just a small few in each setting. Thank you for your feedback. Here is another picture in the same room. (inside an old building downtown) I agree with another comment though. I needed to focus more on the face. I was so busy trying to get my setting right for the exposure, I lost track where my focus would have been better suited. Exposure though, is my "biggest" issue. I am learning though.

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tresap23 Loc: Texas

Not making excuses for myself, but I shot these Saturday, and knew I wasn't feeling my best. had terrible pain in my left ear, and just felt bad. After a visit to our after hours ER center, I was told the pain in my ear is "Shingles" Ugh!! Never had them in my life. Not fun. Praying the rash doesn't spread any more and especially to my inner ear. And, I am in bed today with the flu! So, I have really noticed all the "Focus issues, and exposure issues with my photos, and have been working on PP some today. Things I know I would normally have done a little better on had I felt better. My cognitive skills were just off. Having said that. I have a lot to learn still, and a ways to go. Wish me luck Thanks "T"

d3200prime

Nice shots but could use some improvement. I am sure your teacher will instruct you on the errors. All in all you are doing well but get well before you go at it again. Hope your feeling better very soon.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks, I plan on being much better than my present state before taking on my next assignment. appreciate your feedback

Joe Blow

#1 is over exposed.

#2, has me asking "what?". There doesn't seem to be any point to the shot. However, if he was looking away from the camera ir would change it from a posed snapshot to something else.

#3, the best by far.

#4, too busy*. Again, an over exposed, posed, snap shot. Add more saturation, more color on the model (bright shirt, coat, etc), and have your model not look into the camera. (see #3)
* Too busy means there are too many things in the shot so you don't know what to focus on. Here, the model blends into the graffiti.

#5, More posed snap shot. Have the model sit to the side, leaning against the wall with one leg on the same step. (Similar to the photo in your reply to Old Timer) Have him hug his knee, rest an arm on top of his knee. rest his elbow on the knee and head on his hand, ... . The Blue door adds a nice touch, work with it. Looking into the camera usually gives it that posed snap shot look. While it can work, often it doesn't.

#6, over exposed and too much contrast. It may also be cropped too much.

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I do not recommend shooting full manual. I prefer shooting Aperture priority with a set ISO. With these types of shots a tripod is usually required although there are work arounds. The shutter speed will be the least of your concern except for if you need a tripod or can hand hold. For me, I don't want to be bogged down ensuring my manual settings are correct. I am concerned mostly about my depth of field and lighting source. A compliant model is fine, but when shooting a child, pet, or oblivious subject you simply don't have the time to be constantly verifying your settings.

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I hope you find these comments constructive. You are good.