Picture of my son.

[Brian]

I freely admit that I have never done much people photography (and it shows). It is something I'd really like to get better at. Especially as my son gets older. I really value the opinions on focalworld as you folks have pointed out some very obvious things on other photo's that I've posted. So I'd really like your opinion on this picture of my son I took today.

This was with my Tamron 150-600mm. Probably not the best lens for portraits. But I'd like to see what you guys think. Thanks.

 

[Leslie Hunter]

Looks fantastic!

 

[Ben Egbert]

I wish I had been into photography as my children were growing up, alas all I have are other peoples snaps and some school pictures.

This picture captures your son as he looks at this time, dressed as he dresses, doing something I presume you do wherever that bridge is located. It will evoke memories 50 years from now.

As to technical areas, and I am by no means expert here so this is more impression. It could have more light on the face, the cap is shading it a bit. You could certainly have zoomed in closer to make your son a more prominent part of the image, and get more detail, especially in the face. On the other hand, this does show the overall environment. The post processing could add more pop, but that is probably not what you want here.

Be sure to print it, as a print is the only reliable way it will still be usable 50 years hence.

 

[JimFox]

That’s really creative Brian! The 150-600mm is probably not used very often for portraits, but you made it work well. It helped a lot with giving you a shallow DOF.

For me, I like this wider view setting your son on that bridge. The main thing I would change is in his posting, and that’s of his feet. He has his feet twisted sideways, so that looks a bit odd. I would have had him standing with his feet in a normal stance.

I think the face is lit nicely, you have some nice side lighting coming in. His eyes are a bit in shadow from the cap brim, but it’s not bad. If there wasn’t some shadow it would look fake.

So other then his feet, for me I think you did a great job!

 

[Brian]

Thanks guys. I certainly see what you’re saying about the feet. I suppose that could be cropped. This was just a random picture and I’ve never really put any thought into portraits. I’ll take your guys advice in the future for sure.

Thanks.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

For me a more intimate view works better esp. since the posts closest to the camera are oof and that draws the eye. Here is my crop suggestion.