Portraits

I am finding that I still feel the most trepidation about portraits. I seem to have an insurmountable amount of information to still learn on the subject, yet, I reallly want to get better in this area. It is such a challenge to think of all the photography elements while also trying to get your subjects to cooperate. In the few attempts I have had, I have found different challenges-- fast moving kids who aren't really interested in taking a good photo, to teens who feel self-conscious, to adults who are sooo ingrained in a fake smile that you cannot talk them out of it! Someday I hope to be able to have poses quickly at my mental disposal, the ability to have the camera knowledge so second nature that my mind can multi-task that area while engaging the subject in a way that helps them to relax and appear more natural. As a portrait photographer I would want to provide nice looking, original photographs but also ones that capture the idiosyncrasies of each subject and tell a little of their "story." Today, Thanksgiving Day, I caught a few portraits---some I like, and some I would change.

There's something about the color in this one that is bugging me...maybe a white balance issue? Also, I have now learned that my aperture was too wide for this shot. I think I shot at F1.8 and F2.4 should be the largest in order to keep the whole face in focus? Or in looking at it closely I wonder if I just snapped it without checking my focal point- looks like her knee might be the focal point instead of the eyes.