Curious Baby Girl

[missusday]

Hi--

I'm pretty new to the whole photography thing. I'm just in the midst of self-teaching, and I don't have a really great camera. Anyway, I'm trying to get better because I love, love, LOVE taking pictures of my babies. This is one of my seven-month-old daughter, and while I personally love it, I'd like some critique (I fear my "mommy goggles" may be clouding my judgment). How is the composition? Is it too dark? Is the focus on her nose a little too much? Help!!! Thanks so much.


Camera Model: Nikon P80
Aperture Priority
Flash: Off

[slc_shutterbug]

You have posted this in the critique section, so I'm going to assume that you really do want a critique and can take it in the spirit it is intended.


I think that the crop is way too tight.

I don't know what that black thing is on the left side, but it is very distracting and needs to go.

I think the focus, if you insist on it being on only one place on the face, should be on the eyes. Honestly, though, for a pic like this I'd like to see the whole face in focus.

There seems to be a shadow falling across her face. What is that?

She is cute, though. I agree.

[cherrygirl]

I don't think this works at all. It's cropped too tight, it's too grainy and it's out of focus. Try pulling back and focusing on her eyes. Not sure what your setting are but they need to be adjusted.

Keep trying...you have a great model to practice with!

[missusday]

Thanks for the tips! I actually didn't crop it, I just had it zoomed waaaay in on her face. The black thing to the left is part of a toy she was playing with at the time. I'll keep trying, maybe focusing on her eyes next time. Thanks again!

[~AJ~]

Yep, you're zoomed in way to close. Zoom back out & crop later. Also if she's playing with a toy the way she is, I'd leave it in the photo as it becomes too distracting if you crop it out, but can still see the shadow or a part of it.

Personally I also prefer shots where you're not looking up their nose... but that's just MPO and probably because my daughter always has boogers up her nose hahaha!!!!! One great tip I learnt at a workshop I did a few weekends ago was for this agre group, get them on their backs & shoot from the top corner of their head. Babies this age when on their backs will usually grab at their feet and turn their head towards you, which makes a beautiful pose & you usually manage to get the catchlights in their eyes if the light is behind you

Definately focus on the eyes & always the eye closest to you.

I'd love to see a shot of her full face as she looks absolutely devine!!!!!!!