Rare moment

[sartracker]

when my college aged daughter sits still long enough to get a nice photo of her. This one was taken while we were enjoying lunch near her apt. for next year at university. While she'll have a kitchen there are so many food places she wouldn't have to cook if she didn't want to.



Surprisingly she likes this photo and she normally doesn't like pictures of herself.

Any critique is welcome as I am new to this and love learning.

EXIF
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture: f/9.0
Focal Length: 28 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Aperture-priority AE

[zona5101]

it is a nice image. it is a bit soft however. Exposure looks good, compositionally the background is not working in your favor nor her being dead centered. The space above her head could probably be reduced. I like the expression, I really like how the window light has provided a nice hairlight giving you separation. i love the rich color of the blue scarf and the nice catchlights. The softness has a bit of painterly feel to it so perhaps you did that in post or it's a function of being out of focus but it adds creamy texture to her skin and hair that is pleasing.

[LoveDSLR]

Here is what I envision using my Canon 85 f/1.2 L lens.Try some pp and cropping.

[tchudson]

It looks to be a great shot of her, but the background is a bit distracting. I do like the cropped image above with the blurred background.

[sartracker]

Thank you for all your nice compliments and great ideas for cropping. I did try the Gaussian blur in PS but I'm not sure I did it right. I thought after you used that filter you could adjust the level but it didn't seem to be adjusting.

I also like the cropped image with the blurry background and will try that. Aside from using a different lens or a wide open aperture to blur the background, how do you do it in PP? She liked the softness of her skin because many years of soccer at a high altitude and bright sun has been a little tough on her skin. But is it too much?

I'm going to PSW in a week and taking a precon class in PS for Beginners. I live in a small town so everything I've learned up to this point has been books, internet and podcasts/videos, etc. I've been to one conference (fantastic but over my head) and a seminar on Speedliting and I'm in awe at the talent of so many of the people I met.

Thank you again! Kitty (my real name)

[karma]

Great shot! 'LoveDSLR's crop idea is good. It looks as if the camera actually focused on the sign in the background and not your daughter! She makes a good model.

[sartracker]

Thanks Karma! She's very charming and has her own style of dressing. She loves scarves and has a whole drawer full. I'd love to get her to actually model for me but she's a very busy person!

Of course there are the mornings she rolls out of bed with 5 minutes to spare before class. Rumpled clothes and all, she'll always be my beautiful baby and I cherish the few days we can spend together during the year. And I'll always be a proud (and sometimes embarrassing Mama).

[karma]

Originally Posted by sartracker

And I'll always be a proud (and sometimes embarrassing Mama).

Ha! I hear you on this!