Chloe and Nathan

[Leon]

My first non family portraits (please try and ignore the background, need to get it edited)

was quite hard trying to get 2 nippers properly posed and looking natural so I sat the baby on a bean bag, Chloe leaned over the top of him, I quite like the final picture.

[stevedevil]

I like the poses, the angles work really well, the image is soft through the aperture, which is a shame, as f16 or above for these type of shots..

[Leon]

for my benefit will you explain what you would do differently please?

my camera's max aperture no is 8 (lumix FZ45)

[stevedevil]

Ok Mrwall..

I will google your camera, but usually the aperture would range per Lens ( and of course per camera on a fixed lens )

The aperture is pretty much how deep the focus stays sharp.. so take a protrait of a face, if you focus on the tip of a nose and use f1.8, then the nose will be sharp, but the eyes and face out of focus.. where keeping the camera at the exact same position using f16, then everything on the face will be sharp....

BUT there is obviously other things happening that effect the shot..

Not saying how to suck lemons, but to extend your DOF in the shot, then move further away and zoom in.. this shortens the focal length, meaning more in focus..

There is a direct representation between " Full Aperture " and Shutter speed,

the Full stops are

1.8 2.8 4.0 5.6 8.0 11 16 22 32

Each of these means that half the light hits the sensor, so from f2.8 at 1000th second shutter speed, at f4 its 500th, you will get same exposure, but better DOF

Hope this kinda helps

Steve

[stevedevil]

Also in this shot, try and get main focus half way between them, as then the aperture has a better chance

[geodar]

nice shot, but i think it is slightly over exposed and a little soft in focus, i have adjusted levels, added unsharp and cropped slightly and come up with this result for comparison, also put a border on as i am a big believer in borders to finish the images off, as they would look in print so to speak.

hope you don't mind my input.

geoff

[colinb]

Leon - a lovely little photo that is well worth pursuing, I see Geoff got there before me but I think we both show it is worth the effort to bring out the best in this 'keeper'

click photo for larger file

[fuzzyedges]

Nicley posed

A bit tricky with the exposure due to the masss of white but nothing that cant be overcome as the others have shown (whether you like them or not thats your perogative your image)

If you are interested in focus try googling "Hyperfocal distance" which is basically if you focus on point A its how much is in focus before A and how much is in focus after A for a givern aperture

Here is a table (they used to put this on all lens but a lot dont bother now and it is important) Your camera isnt listed but all these figures are spot on accurate (which non of us will ever be ) so its a good guide to the nearest inch (or foreign measurement) just pick any camera Looks complicated but a little patience and rewards will be reaped

http://dofmaster.com/doftable.html

On the other hand this is probably known by you so pass it on to someone who dosnt know about hyperfocal distance

[NannyFerret]

It is a lovely pose and the little ones expressions make it a lovely shot.

I'm glad you posted it as I mostly use a Lumix FZ100 and can only go up to F8, so I am learning from all of the constructive input on this thread as well.

[Leon]

cheers for the comments peoples.

I have a friend who is a dab hand with cs5, she will alter it and make it suitable for the family to have it printed :)