Which crop of toddler on tree branch

[mandyatm]

I think the one with her feet in it is cute, but my eyes go more to her feet than her face. Should I crop them out? Also, it looks like she is hanging over a big drop-off. I don't know why it looks like that, we were over flat ground. The valley was in the background, she was in no danger of falling! Any other advice on ways to improve this photo would be helpful. Thanks!

50mm
f/2.5
1/100 sec
ISO 200

[Lee10]

The second pic doesn't sit well with me, I much prefer the first. If you are going to crop go right in to the head..and just leave the face and hand.
Lovely photo though and it would be a shame to spoil it with cropping.
Lee

[PhotoPhix]

Originally Posted by mandyatm

I think the one with her feet in it is cute, but my eyes go more to her feet than her face. Should I crop them out? Also, it looks like she is hanging over a big drop-off. I don't know why it looks like that, we were over flat ground. The valley was in the background, she was in no danger of falling! Any other advice on ways to improve this photo would be helpful. Thanks!

50mm
f/2.5
1/100 sec
ISO 200

The first shot tells more of a stary than the second. It does however have a few things that need phixing, the color balance is off as is the exposure and focus.

Armando

[mandyatm]

Thanks! I have a couple of close-ups too. I just wanted to give her mom a choice of a full-length one and a close-up, and was wondering which looked better as a full-length one.

Here is one of the close-ups. The only problem I have with it is the light spot above her head.

[mandyatm]

Thanks Armando. Can you please tell me how you went about adjusting the color balance? I adjusted for that in Photoshop and that was my result, so I am wondering how I could adjust differently. Also, can you tell me what is off about the exposure and focus? Thanks so much.

[PhotoPhix]

Originally Posted by mandyatm

Thanks Armando. Can you please tell me how you went about adjusting the color balance? I adjusted for that in Photoshop and that was my result, so I am wondering how I could adjust differently. Also, can you tell me what is off about the exposure and focus? Thanks so much.

Regarding color balancing, its important that you monitor is calibrated, if it isnt and easy test is just put up your edit and my edit and see which one looks closer to real life.

Use the color balance option in photoshop rather than the auto balancing. Level adjustments will help you with your exposure,but if you have to much variance in the photo you will also have to mask the areas and do them seperatly. Hope this helps.


Armando

[mandyatm]

I see what you mean. I was using the eyedropper tools and selecting white and black. Mine look yellowish compared to yours. I have PS Elements and I do not see an option to adjust color balance. Is there one in Elements?

[PhotoPhix]

Originally Posted by mandyatm

I see what you mean. I was using the eyedropper tools and selecting white and black. Mine look yellowish compared to yours. I have PS Elements and I do not see an option to adjust color balance. Is there one in Elements?

Sorry it has been along time since I have used Elements,as I now ud CS4. But if I was to guess, I would think there has to be a color balance option somewhere in that program.

Armando

[irishmuth]

definitely the first crop!