Temper Tantrum

[keritho]

I posted this over on the 'Before and After' thread, but I thought i could get some useful criticism here. I was given a Kodak Z612 this week and look forward to using it as a tool to learn about manual controls, even though it is a P&S. The only 'software' I have is the basic stuff that came with the camera. The original of this was taken in color. The only thing I did was make it b&w and use the 'spotlight' effect on it. It is not cropped. It appears dark to me, but there is still something about the spotight effect I like. I am open to any and all criticism that is helpful. thank you.

[peeperita]

i like the shot myself....and the spotlight probably has a few controls you can play around with....how about making the spot larger?

peeper

[oriolhdz]

Hi keritho:
Nice composition. I like the expression of the child's face. I check out on flickr and I must say (even you ask for c&c on this shot) there is something in the color photo that I like.
Talking about the b&w photo, there are a lots of techniques to convert them. IMHO as peeperita said, I would like to see a little bit less dark in the edges.
Anyway is a great shot! Thanks for sharing it!

[PLouie]

It looks good. The spotlight or vignette works in this image but it might be a bit too strong as someone else said.

I would personally prefer a wider aspect ratio though and maybe move the composition a little bit by showing less of the child's back and more of what's infront of them. That would also help remove that space behind the head. That's just my preference though because I like the cinematic look.

[keritho]

thank you everyone for your help. In response to the most noted issue--the spotlight/vignetting, I agree. I also think it is dark, but I don't have PS or any other photo editing software--just the basic little set of tools that came with my Kodak EasyShare, so, the options are spotlight or no spotlight, Peeperita--I can't see any way to adjust the spotlight.

PLouie--thank you for that advice about pulling away. Unfortunately, this pic was not cropped at all from the original, but next time when I catch a shot like this (it was rather candid. she was throwing a fit, and you couldn't see her face at all, but I zoomed in on her with the camera, and she threw me one of those 'quit looking at me' faces)--but next time i will try to remember to pull out a little bit to catch some things in the foreground...in this case it would have been square patio tiles.

thank you everyone for your help. and now i have another question--considering that I cannot adjust the spotlight/vignetting, should I try it straight b&w, go back to color, or try the spotlight on the color (which i guess would still be just as dark anyway)

thx.

[jdepould]

I think I prefer the original. The shot speaks for itself. The eye contact is really what makes the shot, obvious post-process is just going to distract.

[keritho]

thank you again. about the vignetting--I think I am going to try to do it in another program...since all I have is my Kodak EasyShare, and you cannot 'adjust' the vignetting..I tried. it's just an on/off spotlight 'effect'. but, i downloaded paint.net as was suggested to me here in the forums, and I think I will try it there (although I can't find the vignette effect). If not, then I know I saw a softer and adjustable vignette effect in picnik that I might try.

[Sime]

Hmmm... I think i'm going to throw something else on the table here, I think I like the vignetting and that it being quite dark pulls you in to the little girls look / eyes (which is priceless btw!) very quickly, and that's where the main point of the photo is.. ...I actually really like it, maybe even with a slightly tighter crop... maybe... well done

[keritho]

Originally Posted by Sime™

Hmmm... I think i'm going to throw something else on the table here, I think I like the vignetting and that it being quite dark pulls you in to the little girls look / eyes (which is priceless btw!) very quickly, and that's where the main point of the photo is.. ...I actually really like it, maybe even with a slightly tighter crop... maybe... well done

thank you Sime! The reason I love this pic is because it was moment that I noticed, and actually had the chance to get the shot...it's uncropped as it is. Right now, it is my favorite picture I have taken with my new camera (which isn't fancy, but was an upgrade for me--the Kodak Z612). She was just sitting there pouting, and when she noticed I had the camera on her, she threw meo ne of those--Leave me alone and quit looking at me looks. Priceless for me.

[jiminyClickit]

keritho,

You might be able to do your spotlight edit, then crop to get a slightly less-dark result. This version is a vignette, softened. The right eye is shown more, and lighter. The crop is to bring as much attention to the eyes as possible. Hope you find a good program soon; it's a great tool for photography.