1st post-constructive critism needed

[jessa]

Hi everyone! This is my first post, so be gentle . I have been lurking here for awhile but just got the nerve to actually post a picture. I'd really appreciate any helpful suggestions.

This photo of my sister is one of the first pictures I took with my new Rebel XTi. I previously used a Rebel SLR, so I'm just getting familiar with the digital.

I like this photo, but I know it needs some improvements. I think the bright area to the right of the picture is slightly distracting. Is there anything I can do to fix this? I'm not sure where to begin with editing (I'm not that good at it, especially since I don't have photoshop yet) I believe I took this one in automatic setting ( I know. I'm venturing from automatic now though) Are the reflections on her eyes distracting or am I just being too picky?
Thanks!

[RexK_Cozumel]

I would crop in a little on both sides to bring more emphasis on the subject. The bright white background is a little distracting but is an easy fix. Just mask out the subject and the brick wall next to her and lower the exposure level of the background. As for the reflections in her eyes you can just fill them in with the color from other portions of her eye. (Note: catchlights do add a bit of life to the eye but I feel in this shot there is a little too much reflection and you lose a little bit of color in the eyes.)

Nice even lighting in this photo very safe for portraits but it does lack in drama. Overall a nice portrait.

[smc1377]

As far as not having Photoshop, there are people here who use a free program called GIMP and from what I understand, it's pretty powerful. You might wanna give that a shot.

[clockdoc]

It helps when the background is somewhat darker than the subject so as to not call attention to it over the subject through an extreme contrast ratio of tones. But you also have to analyse where the subject's hair may blend in with the darker background as it does here. Just a suggestion but it is more flattering, especially for females, to take their portraits from a slightly higher camera viewpoint so as to not be shooting "up their nose." In this case she could have tipped her head down slightly. When a broad expanse of light area creates large catchlights, you will have to resort to an external fill flash or reflectors to provide a brighter light source or resolve to correct the shape of the catchlight with post processing. Having said all this, you have captured a very pleasant portrait of your sister. Keep shooting and sharpen your skills with practice.

[hpebley3]

This is my first post...

Welcome.

This photo of my sister is one of the first pictures I took with my new Rebel XTi.

For just starting out, very nice. I agree with the above comments about cropping tighter. Also, I think a portrait orientation would work better for this particular shot. Make your subject pretty much fill the space.

I think the bright area to the right of the picture is slightly distracting. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

I think the light spot to the right, if it were smaller percentage-wise, is a good contrast with her dark hair. It's not that the light area is a problem as much as the amount of it is a problem. As has already been said, this could be selectively darkened in post-processing too.

The focus appears to be a little off too. It appears it's on the bricks with her face being a bit soft. Make sure the focus is on her eyes. Typically I put the auto focus position on the center spot. This allows me to put that red dot on the eye, press the shutter release down half way to lock in the focus, frame the image and then release the shutter.

As far as not having Photoshop, there are people here who use a free program called GIMP and from what I understand, it's pretty powerful.

Some find GIMP pretty hard to learn. Another free alternative which might be somewhat less powerful but more approachable is Paint.net.

Just a suggestion but it is more flattering, especially for females, to take their portraits from a slightly higher camera viewpoint so as to not be shooting "up their nose."

Yes, the key is to have the line coming out from the camera to be perpendicular to the model; the camera may still be below the model as long as the model/camera relationship is maintained. Here's an example.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers.

[peeperita]

your sister is a beautiful girl and my money's on that she's quite happy with her portrait.....

you've had some really good critiques so far......rex's suggestion will take you some time to master.....and doc, in my opinion is a great "in the camera" photographer.....he has the best tips on portraits....

now, i can't see how you metered this...but, i'm guessing it was an evaluative mode.....as her skin is slightly overexposed......i have found that bracketing my exposures helps me tremdously when i get my images back to my computer, allowing me to decide then and there what's the best of the bunch.....

i often "blow out" my backgrounds and from some sage advice i've received here, i have learned to pay closer attention to them when i compose my shot.....sometimes a step or two in the right direction can alter a high contrast background......

this is a wonderful image to share here and i thank you for the opportunity to see it....

keep posting!

peeper