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My brother in law popped around this afternoon and he's always willing to have his photo taken. I hadn't yet used the 50mm 1.4 much on the D200. All taken with the SB800 and LSPJ - here's just a few - opinions and critique welcomed as usual:







And another one:

Geoff - go the black and white - they are very good

The 2nd image is my fav, love the shadows playing off his face.

Thanks guys - Fred just doesn't mind me clicking him and getting him to pose how I like, he sure likes to make funny/weird faces at me but he's useful to have around when I'm feeling a little creative.

Nice work, Geoff.

I like the B&W.

The second and third are a little tight, would be nice to see his whole head.

Agreed, the B&W. Especially #2. Lighting is good
cheers
marco

Yeah, #2 is the shot, reminds me of the old Hollywood Tough Guy promo shots. Good work Geoff.

Bob.

.

My vote for #2 as well... Very good one

Geoff
The 50mm is a litle short for head shots and introduces a little distortion. It's perfect for full length portraits. Suggest you use a longer focal length for a more natural perspective. He's a good subject...and if he buys you beer then he's also a good brother inlaw.

Nice Geoff, 2 is my favourite, I would throw 1 as I think the pose is unflattering, it looks like he has no neck

Geoff no4 is on the money! Its not cooked in the quartertones as much. Maybe ceiling bounce a bit more might have aleviated this. PS burn tool will tone this down as well. All in all if these are not PS'd then a good result
jethro

Matt. K wrote:Geoff
The 50mm is a litle short for head shots and introduces a little distortion. It's perfect for full length portraits. Suggest you use a longer focal length for a more natural perspective. He's a good subject...and if he buys you beer then he's also a good brother inlaw.

I don't mind about the beer Matt - he doesn't really tire of me taking shots of him

As far as the distortion - can you elaborate? I am yet to see any kind of distortion from the 50mm lens - obviously my eyes are not as well trained or as experienced as yours, but I'm interested to see what you mean by this.

Thanks for the comments too

jethro wrote:Geoff no4 is on the money! Its not cooked in the quartertones as much. Maybe ceiling bounce a bit more might have aleviated this. PS burn tool will tone this down as well. All in all if these are not PS'd then a good result
jethro

Thanx Jethro - I have done a little PP on these, mainly levels adjustment and just a VERY small amount of saturation and USM.

Geoff. You said

"As far as the distortion - can you elaborate? I am yet to see any kind of distortion from the 50mm lens - obviously my eyes are not as well trained or as experienced as yours, but I'm interested to see what you mean by this."

What I am referring to is at that range the focal length has a perspective that makes his nose look a little longer than it is. The rule generally is...at a close working distance...the wider the angle of the lens then the longer the nose looks. If you are doing a portrait of someone with a long shnoz then you should use a long focal length lens and shoot them straight on. This will make the nose look shorter. If someone has a small podgy nose then use a 35mm or 50mm and it will look longer. Does that make sense to you?

that second one geoff is the best it conveys more attitude and the lighting compliments it

the bounce flash on the 3rd is more interesting as a suggestion you could of been taken perfectly straight on, brother looking right into the camera, head straight with the same expression, that sort of shot would of suited that expression and brothers face.

2nd BW is my choice also and for the reasons already given.

the lines in the background are very busy in the first

Steve

Hi Geoff,

I'd love to have a person (willing model) to practise portrait shots.
I also like your results.
The BW is nice.

Matt, what focal lengh or lens would you suggest instead of the 50mm ?

Regards,
CD

in film days the 105 was well regarded.

with the crop factor 85 or bigger would be the ticket.
I quite like the 105micro also.

remember also the less "in your face" the photog is, the more potential for the model to be more relaxed

Steve

Thanks Steve,

I suppose the 70-200VR should be singing
I actually have noticed a few photographers (digital)
who were carrying a 70-200 f2.8 on wedding assignments.

Regards,
CD

unfortunately I dont got one of those
but I can imagine it handling the task well.

that lens and a decent wideangle would pretty much cover the required shots at a wedding.

steve

The 70-200VR is a MAGIC lens for portraiture and I have used it quite extensively both on weddings and family/individual outdoor portaits

Thanx for the comments/suggestions guys!