Portraits: I'm doing a lot wrong

[Rhizo]

Took some pictures of friends yesterday. Not an ideal lens, but I was testing it. I'm still working on my people shots. Btw how do you photograph those neon college shirts? The shirt she wore just pops! :(

I'm not very good in Lightroom or CS4. Mostly rely on getting the pictures good out the camera. Feel free to be blunt in telling me my mistakes. :)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36945650@N07/4540711351/" title="John by Joe (Rhizo), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4540711351_9aeeea31a4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="John" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36945650@N07/4541346364/" title="John (2) by Joe (Rhizo), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4541346364_9009ef1494.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="John (2)" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36945650@N07/4540711641/" title="John (3) by Joe (Rhizo), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4540711641_7a005cd06b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="John (3)" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36945650@N07/4541346156/" title="Monica by Joe (Rhizo), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4541346156_3083b72ac3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Monica" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36945650@N07/4540712689/" title="Monica (2) by Joe (Rhizo), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4540712689_1b03e5918e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Monica (2)" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36945650@N07/4540713405/" title="Monica (3) by Joe (Rhizo), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4540713405_8d22a03709.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Monica (3)" /></a>

[kilroy217]

in the shots where the sky is showing, the background is blown out (overexposed). You should set your exposure for the background, and if you need to use some fill flash for your subject. By doing this, you should eliminate the problem you're having with the pink shirt, too. Also, composition-wise, with the girl you did a good job, but the guy is too centered. Always remember to have the eyes as the focal point of a portrait. For the most part, I think you did this, but it's always good to mention when talking portraits. Overall, a very good start. :)

[Jacob D]

The last one is my favorite shot. Very genuine expression, it's apparent you connected with her on that one.

If part of your style is having blown highlights and/or flare, I don't think it's a problem. The tree and bbq growing out of the guys head are bigger issues for me. The expression in the 2nd shot is great, but the angle up his nose, not so much. I'd also agree that some fill light on the faces/eyes would be nice. I don't think you're doing "a lot wrong", more like mostly right :)

[xtm]

I think this one came out good: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4541346156_3083b72ac3.jpg

I think you need to get closer. Personally I like tight portraits with shallow DOF. Focus on the closest eye if the subject's face is slanted.. it would also help to get more DOF, but only slightly stopped down. Too much DOF will not help you create subject isolation.So if you have a max 2.8 lens, I would stop down to f/4, but not beyond f5.6, for instance.

I think your backgrounds could be better.... they are distracting. If you can open up to, say 2.8 (or wider) I think you can create better subject isolation. If your lens is not capable of opening up that much, I would choose a cleaner background.

On environmental portraits, you can use some DOF, but still try to make it "flow". A good crop is also desired... don't include too much headroom on environmental portraits, esp when shooting wide, because you'd lose the impact. Shoot close, but crop wisely.

[PSam]

I think this one came out good: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4541346156_3083b72ac3.jpg

This is also my favorite. I don't have much to add, but the backgrounds in all of them are too distracting for me. Just keep shooting. As Jacob D mention above, I think there is more 'right' with them than 'wrong'.

[Rhizo]

Thanks all! I was basing my exposure off their skin. (even then I messed up a bit) Choosing the sky makes more sense now that it is pointed out. I'll give my flash a try next time as well.

The lens was the kit 40-150 f/3.5-4.5. Its the first time I use it. I have been camping the 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 on B&H since it priced dropped to an affordable range this month.