Cookout with friends

[Federico Presti]

This shot came out surprisingly good to me, the diffuse lighting and the composition look very nice and the food does too... but then I thought: maybe I see it like that just because I had such a great time with my friends and the rice was delicious, so I ask you... how do the people look in this shot? is this a good way to compose portraits of friends or families? Is the lighting as good as I see it?



Thanks!!

[Federico Presti]

Oops, I forgot...

EXIF:
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5 mm (28mm equiv)
ISO Speed: 125
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[isfppoet]

Your composition is cool. A lot of the best shots I've seen of people were created rather than simply captured.

The lighting is a tad harsh; I'd recommend post-processing it so that the highlights on the white shirt and the tiles are slightly less overpowering, and maybe brightening up the shadows slightly closer to the bottom of the frame and on the hair of the person with the white shirt.

The shadows on the face of the person on the left are just a wee bit darker than the others' faces, because of the angle; you could brighten it up around his eyes to make them stand out more.

Like I said, nice composition. This would stand out as completely unique amongst a dozen other people's candid photos of the same event.

*edit*

Oops, I forgot to tell you, you can edit your post to put the EXIF data in the bottom, rather than creating a second post, haha. See? Editing is good.

[Athas_orm]

I don't have much to add on this, basically I agree with isfppoet. The lighting is a little harsh on the guy with the white shirt and the tiles surrounding him.

Its really important though to say the origionality of this piece is what stands out for me. I like the concept of your friends framing their meal.

[k8et]

I like it! the white shirt/highlights on the tile are distracting, if you can tone that down in photoshop (or, hindsight being 20/20 - if you had someone in a dark shirt on that side) it may help the image.

But overall, very nice! I would be thrilled with the memories and the shot!

(i'm not a pro just my personal opinions)

[Opus1966]

Kudos. I rather like the composition. I don't find the white-shirt-guy too harsh. I can live with that. It's natural.

My only critique for improvement would be the lack of symmetry between the three individuals. The guy on the right is not laying straight like the others. If he was posed like the other's I think it would have even more impact for me.

But again, I'm a symmetry nut. Take from it what you will.

Cheers.