Portrait Composition & Focus

By tomnorth written 12/30/07 4:47 PM, published 1/1/08 1:12 PM

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One area of photography I'm interested in learning more about is portrait photography. Not the Olan Mills variety, but rather the kind where you really get a sense for who the person is. I received a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 lens from Priscilla for Christmas and I had a grand nephew visiting, so I got some good practice. The new lens is awesome, that's all I've got to say about that.

One thing I've learned about shooting portraits, and people in general, is that you want the focus on the eyes, especially the closest eye. On the thumbnail I was going for a sharp focus on the closest eye with a gradual softening of focus elsewhere. I shot with an f/stop of 2.2. I really like how that one turned out. Here are a few of my favorites.

Van Up Close
Van
Van Playing

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bullshoalsview 12/30/07 4:52 PM

Wow! Great lens... second shot is my favorite... the bokeh on that lens is phenomenal! Great tip to focus on closest eye... Wonderful!

- Run Bubba Run!
Lidljo 12/30/07 4:53 PM

Wow, you did a good job. Maybe I can learn from you because this is also what I want to work on. I like the first one, but it was too large for my screen. His eyes are so sparkly in the second one and he has the look like he wants to ask a question.

- Flowers are happiness...
Penny 12/30/07 4:56 PM

I also like the second the best. I would like to see a background that isn't so busy though. Good catch lights in the eyes.

- Smile
msjudi 12/30/07 4:56 PM

congrats on that new lens... these pics are perfect.. he is so cute... my fav is the 2nd one also...I am going to remember your advice ... i love to take portraits .. great job!

- Smile ; )
smalltown05 12/30/07 6:14 PM

Nice work Tom. Little too much air in the second shot for my taste but great skin tones, eye lights, DOF.

- blow.....hard
Ashton 12/30/07 7:00 PM

Wow these are large! Wow these are great! I like the plying one best.

- Say...CHEESE
CanonFodder 12/30/07 7:13 PM

Handsome young man and excellent use of your new lens!

- My "kids"!
one who cooks 12/30/07 7:18 PM

Great shots Tom....excellent focus in the eyes and the color makes for a wonderful composition.
buggin 12/30/07 8:39 PM

very nice
fuzzy1 12/30/07 10:10 PM

These are wonderful, especially the 'up close' one.

- f8 and be there...
kalole0 12/31/07 6:08 AM

Really nice shots of your nephew. Ya done good.

- togetherness.....
digitalphotodude 12/31/07 6:57 PM

Love the feel of each shot. Darling eyes! Great comp and focus Tom. I think I just might have to try some people shots myself.

- go take some pictures you
DSW 1/1/08 8:58 AM

Outstanding. I appreciate knowing your thinking process in these shots. Good stuff to think about for portrait shot.

- DSW