Couple Of Portraits

I had a chance to take some pictures of my sister yesterday and I wanted some feedback on how they came out, especially because it's the first time I take "portrait" pictures. The set-up was pretty basic: sister sitting on the couch next to a big window (on her left side) and a 430EX II with a gary fong on it to the right. It was set on ETTL. I used my XSi with the 70-200 F2.8 non-IS on a tripod.


Now, please tell me how do you think they came out =)


70-200mm F2.8 - 160mm @ F2.8 - 1/100 sec - ISO 200 - 430EX II E-TTL




http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6444/dpp0031wtmk.jpg


70-200mm F2.8 - 70mm @ F2.8 - 1/100 sec - ISO 400 - 430EX II E-TTL




http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/778/dpp0050wtmk.jpg


70-200mm F2.8 - 200mm @ F2.8 - 1/100 sec - ISO 400 - 430EX II E-TTL




http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/3517/dpp0052wtmk.jpg

I think the captures are good but I think you have done yourself an injustice with the gary fong. In my experience the gary fong tends to mute everything. They even out the light too much taking dimension away from the photos. The subject never pops.


I'd suggest setting up a reflector (foam core or anything white will do) and bouncing the 430EX into it onto your subject. Play with angles to get your desired effects.


Keep up the good work, you definitely have an eye.

You could midtone contrast in post processing to get some of that back as well

hey guys, thanks for the tips... i'll keep all that in mind next time.


As for the mid-toning i'm still getting used to using curves, so i'll probably have to work more on that [:)]