1 year portrait for critique

[erinrosebrugh]

I am new here, this is a recent shot of my neice for her 1 year portrait.
Thanks for looking!

[ressalg]

Well, doesn't this picture just deserve a great big,

Awwwwwwww!

And those toes! Anyone up for a little, "This Little Piggy..."?

Needless to say, I like it a lot. Great job on the PP, too.

[erinrosebrugh]

AW! Thank you! )
I can't resist the toes either... and I just discovered the joys of "Portraiture". Yeah... LOVE.. IT.

[beatles2]

Sweet,, the PP is perfect for the shot.

[SusanH1970]

I love the vintage look of the processing - nice and subtle. Not wild about the dead-center composition, though.

[erinrosebrugh]

Thank you for the reply Susan. This vintage look is my favorite... and it's funny about it being centered... because, generally - I've been trying to avoid that!

[Benji]

Cute? Yes; love the toes? Yes. I like the color balance and the overall softness of the image. Provided this is a snapshot for your sister it is wonderful. But if this same shot was for a client and you are presenting yourself as a pro it is lacking in several areas.

1. Three fourths of this image is chair and background and one fourth is subject. It should be three fourths subject and one fourth chair and background. Not to mention the chair has some missing paint. Also the baseboard looks worn and looks out of place in a child's image. The floor is out of key and does not match the rest of the image. We have a high key image with a low key floor.

2. I NEVER EVER place a child on any prop where, should they decide to make a quick movement, could fall and injure themselves. I know mom was probably very close by, but as we all know children have the knack at moving at the exact same time that we were distracted for just a second or two. A fall from this chair could be a disaster, especially onto that hardwood floor.

3. In portraiture we want to introduce as much excitement into the image as possible. This is done by posing the subject at an angle to the camera, and if the subject has two of them make them different. This little girl is flat to the camera with both feet sticking out toward the lens. She is also missing her left hand. Mothers usually like their children smiling and looking at the camera.

Benji

[PointNShoot]

The paint chips in the chair just add character.

Also, she's a bit centered. Face her and the chair a little to the side and move her so she's looking into the space.

Fill the frame with the cute little girl.

Isn't she the sweetest?

[erinrosebrugh]

Benji,
Well thank you for being honest, it is much appreciated.

The chair is at least - hm.. 50 years old, if not way more. I picked it up from my great grandmother's home with "vintage" in mind. That's why I (personally... as in...my opinion) like the peeling paint - along with the unfinished base of the floor.

And yes, Mom was on one side and Dad was on the other side, even though the little one is well on her feet already, as a parent of a 3 year odl...I do know, things happen.

I do appreciate your taking the time to look at my photo. I am not anywhere close to "professional" by my own standards, well.. lol I guess not yours either lol! That's ok though.. I enjoy taking photos and making art.

[erinrosebrugh]

Thanks Pointandshoot -

Your comments are appreciated. (I love peeling paint and anything... not "done" or old with some character.)

I did have some nice close ups of her too... I'm thinking maybe I should have picked a different one to post lol! But I have been around photo forums for a while - I know how it goes, and that's exactly why I posted!

Thanks for looking...

more of her on my blog -
anthrophotology.blogspot.com