I finally drug my parents out briefly the other day to snap a few shots. I didn't get to spend much time with it so this was all done in about 15mins. I would love to know what you would like to see different or what I can do to improve. Camera settings are in the info.
You drugged your parents to get this shot? Anyway... some things I notice immediately.. though the light isn't too bad, it isn't the greatest for a good portrait. They have slight "racoon eyes".. shadows on their eyes created by a high light source. The background is not good, and definitely gives this a snapshot feel. If you like the background, perhaps positioning them such that it does not dwarf them from above, perhaps with the horizon below their shoulders. Your choice of crop is odd... was there something in the frame you wanted to get rid of? The colours are also a bit too much, though that also might have to do with the bright colours of their clothes, which, in my view, are not the best choice for the best portraits, though I understand this is not a formal setup. Good news is that you avoided reflections and glare in the glasses, and that you seemed to be conscious of the light and therefore it is not brutally harsh.
The background is not good, and definitely gives this a snapshot feel.
I would have to disagree with that, the background looks like greenery from a scenic area and is blurred out nicely, focusing the attention on the subjects.
I like the DoF, but I do agree with Louis that it is a bit distracting because the horizon is so far above them. I am working on getting better with my outdoor lighting, so I don't have tips on that.
It is hard to get some people to take pictures. My father-in-law won't even look anywhere near the camera when I try to take his picture. Parents are goofy that way!
