WOW why didnt someone force me to buy a prime lens earlier

[r.spitz09]

This was my first ever shot taken with my new prime lens AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D with my d3000. Looking for feedback both good and bad. Thanx for looking.

[rylan]

Prime lenses are great! Especially the ones that are super fast.

Image has great bokeh, but seems a bit soft around the eyes.

[r.spitz09]

Prime lenses are great! Especially the ones that are super fast.

Image has great bokeh, but seems a bit soft around the eyes.

I've never really done any portrait stuff mostly wildlife so this was a first for me, it was taken sitting in the food court in the mall. Not sure what soft around the eyes means or how to fix it?

[rylan]

Soft meaning not sharp

The eyes aren't sharp, they seem to be not completely in focus. With portraits, you should make sure you get the eyes in focus.

Good shot though, try some sharpening in Photoshop!

[r.spitz09]

Ok played around a bit in aperture 3. Is this more how the eyes should look?

[rylan]

There ya go! A lot better!

That looks great

[Frog]

Always sharpen your pics as the last step in post processing. Something I learned here and all pics need sharpening unless you want the soft look.
Even with the softness, this is a pretty nice portrait shot and you will get a lot of use out of your 50.
Personal taste I suppose but I would have shot vertically which would eliminate some of the background.
I also think this could be converted to b/w nicely.

Check out this thread: Another 50mm f1.8 Thread There's another 50 mm thread but I'll let you search it out.
Many of the shots in the Wide Open thread were also done with the 50.

Welcome to the forums!

[r.spitz09]

OOOH I never thought of b & w. I just tried it and ya makes a very nice print. Thank you guys for all the input I'll be sure to check the thread you refferenced

[janicee]

for me this is awesome!
If I like an image I tried to play different color combination like black and white.

[BlueRob]

Nice one. Next time try a smaller aperture (higher f) to increase the DOF this, to make sure all the subject fall in to the focal distance. Did you chopped the head in the original shot? or this is a crop? I would like to see all the head and maybe a whisker more below the chin.