Maternity shot #2

[AmandaPfeiffer]

I am getting some feedback from friends and family that they don't like this shot because you can't see their heads....I guess I was going for more of an artistic shot...what do you guys think? (and yeah, i know his hands are so dirty!!! )

[alenz]

maybe as a B/W?

[FrankenPengie]

When taking a shot like this, you need to decide on a subject. If it's the tummy and hands, take everything else out. You can use the rule of thirds to include some non-focal imagery, but this would not include parts of any persons in the shot. It would include a *little* background imagery that is out of focus. There's chin and hair that does not apply to what seems to be the focus of the image.

If any of the right is cropped, I might re-include any part of him, then crop off above her tummy, and slightly below her hands.

[Nicole]

A shot without the heads would be fine, but for me with this picture it seems too busy. First, you can see what appears to be a little bit of her chin, which in this context isn't too flattering. But that's easily solved by cropping. The next thing that I think distracts from a nice shot is her hair which is in front of her shirt. It just pulls the eye away. I think that B&W may also be a possibility.

I really don't think that all is lost on this shot, I just think that perhaps doing some cropping could really make the subject (the hands on the stomach) the real focus of the shot I'd love to see it if you do a re-edit. I think that if you take away the distractions it will help change the minds of your friends and family

[amy-rose]

i think that cutting off the heads is fine- what i did this weekend for my friend was do one with their hands like this:

and then another 3/4 view with most of their bodies. that way everyone is happy. you get your creative hand-belly view and they get their whole body view!

I think you're doing a great job! keep up the good work!

[aetnajojo]

Originally Posted by AmandaPfeiffer

I am getting some feedback from friends and family that they don't like this shot because you can't see their heads....I guess I was going for more of an artistic shot...what do you guys think? (and yeah, i know his hands are so dirty!!! )

If you were going for the artistic shot, composition-wise I think you got it right on the head.

Take note of the heart-shape formed by the hands, positioned to follow (almost) the rule-of-thirds. Perfect positioning for the sunlight coming in at 2 o'clock. If you improve contrast by adjusting darkness with respect to the diagonal light coming from top right corner going to the tummy, then you have this:

[wulf]

The lady is most likely going to be less than impressed because all you can't see her face but you get some detail of a double chin. I would go for a lower crop.

Did you get a version with a bit more space on the left of the frame?

Wulf

[jeffreysimms]

I like the suggestions here. Cropping out the heads is a good idea and places the focus on the belly and heart. Some post work, maybe black and white / levels would be a good route to consider.