I'll be brave... (child portrait)

[Isilwen]

I've been too squeamish to post anything in this forum yet, though I'm actually fine with criticism. Just needed to suck it up I guess...

This is one of my favorite child portraits, even though it was taken on a primitive point and shoot several years ago. Still captures my style fairly well. As I've mentioned in other posts, I did location portrait photography as a side business for a couple years before packing up for another state and children of my own. I'm hoping to start up again as soon as my newest newborn gets a bit older.

The glaring issue for me is the "Idle" sticker on the bridge beside her hand, though I have no clue how to clone it out. This was pre-photoshop for me

What would you change? Any tips for future shoots? Let me have it!

I'll post it in color and the way the parent ordered it in sepia.

[jiminyClickit]

highbrassduo,

Where did I see this a few weeks back? I started to reply and then got caught up in something else. At the time, the edit seemed really simple to figure out on your own, the best way to get proficient.

One thing I'd change is the centered composition, not because it's not good, I just like a slightly angular look to portraits (people, flowers, insects, etc.). Then I would go for the over-exposed hair and arm (or take several different shots at the session). That can be improved in an edit. The eyes could use a little emphasis, lightening and contrasted some. Then I'd clone IDLE away and saturate until it all brightened just a little. You sure brought out a smile in your subject; that I wouldn't know how to improve. Good work.

Still squeamish? Want to see an edit?

[Tiberius]

I'd add a bit of fill flash so you can use a lower exposure and keep the detail in the face. That will enrich the colours.

As JC said, have the subject off to one side (remember the Rule of Thirds).

To clone, open the image in photoshiop and select the Clone tool.

Then press the ALT key, and click in a place that has the texture you want to clone over the sign (such as the seat between her hands). Then simply paint over the sign normally.

be careful that you don't end up with repeating patterns, and that the clone blends properly with the wood texture around the sign. it might be better to draw a rectangular seletcion around the sticker, then drag the selection to between her hands, then press Ctrl J to copy the selection onto a new layer. Then just drag that to cover the sign. make sure you feather the edges to blend the outline as well.

[annie]

I'm squeamish myself to disagree with people who clearly know way more about photography than I do, but---I think this is an instance where breaking the rule of thirds works. Her expression is so open and straigtforward that somehow having her looking right out boldly from the center of the photo works for me. (I hope I'm making sense.) Plus her eyes, which are the focal point of the photo, are more or less at the top horizontal third point, so the rule isn't completely broken. Just my (very) humble opinion.

[yokolok]

maybe if you prefer the centered subject composition (not that it doesn't look good here), a closer/tighter shot would be better...i find the path in the background a bit distracting...it takes my eyes away for the child with the beautiful smile...

[Tiberius]

Originally Posted by annie

I'm squeamish myself to disagree with people who clearly know way more about photography than I do, but---I think this is an instance where breaking the rule of thirds works. Her expression is so open and straigtforward that somehow having her looking right out boldly from the center of the photo works for me. (I hope I'm making sense.) Plus her eyes, which are the focal point of the photo, are more or less at the top horizontal third point, so the rule isn't completely broken. Just my (very) humble opinion.

True, the centered composition does work well here. And it isn't completely centered, her face is on the top third, as you said.

Still, in a situation like this where you feel that the rule can be broken, it's always worth it to take a picture that doesn't break the rules, just in case.

[wulf]

The photo is a bit soft and the highlights are blown out, so the colour version could be better. However both of those features work well in the sepia tone photo - if you had started with a sharper, better exposed picture, you would probably have needed to reproduce those "failings" to get it to look right!

I think the overall composition works well here. What is more, I think that "idle" badge is excellent. From the animation in the face and pose, the child clearly isn't idle, so it becomes ironically amusing. If anything, I would want to make it a bit more obvious.

Wulf

[Isilwen]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

Still squeamish? Want to see an edit?

Have at it! I'd love to see what someone could do with it.

I agree with everyone on the exposure issues but this was a point and shoot with zero adjustment capabilities... sigh. My new Canon would have done better, and I'm saving up for a DSLR

Thanks for the feedback folks. And thanks to the poster who gave me the cloning tutorial! I'll give that a whirl

[Isilwen]

Originally Posted by wulf

What is more, I think that "idle" badge is excellent. From the animation in the face and pose, the child clearly isn't idle, so it becomes ironically amusing. If anything, I would want to make it a bit more obvious.
Wulf

Yeah, far from idle I liked the irony too. Nothing like a game of peek-a-boo with a 2 year old on a bridge while standing in the stream below to get a genuine smile

[RexK_Cozumel]

The side of her face and arm are pretty blown out. what you can do to fix that is the use a fill flash and a lower exposure or you can use a reflector off to the photos left (her right). I personally think that the reflector would be a better idea because it will look more natural and give better catch lights in her eyes.