Goofy Boy on beach

[Cathrine]

I took this picture of my nephew on the beach and the quality is not right. Will you guys tell me what I did wrong and how I could have done it better?

shooting mode: Aperture Priority
shutter speed: 1/160
aperture: f/5.6
iso: 100
focal: 45
flash: off
I used my canon kit 18-55mm lens

[ClickIt'sRonnie]

Catherine,
I am fairly new to the world of photo composition but I have a little advice. First off the photo is over exposed and you need to lower the amount of light that gets through the lense wether it be by means of shutter speed, aperture, or the ISO setting. Also when taking photos it is important to set up (OR frame) the shot. If you see how the boys legs are cut off to each side. Framing could help the picture a lot. Also I know at times its impossible but try and avoid background distractions such as the woman in the background. For now that is all I have to contribute but I really like substance of the picture, the boy is very cute.

- Ronnie

[Aleix]

I agree with Ronnie, picture is overexposed (his right hand can barely be distinguished from the sand) and definetly would look much better when the feet hadn't been cropped/cut.

[irishmuth]

I wonder where you focused the shot and what type of metering your camera used...with so much brightness in the shot, I'm thinking maybe the camera metered for the boy's shirt. Just a guess.

[Cathrine]

Thank you all for taking the time to critique..

I have a bad habit of "filling in the frame".. it is because I'm struggling to see what I want to see.

I haven't thought about the metering--and I probably was focusing on the shirt.

Can anybody explain to me the rule of thumbs on what shutter speed to use at what situations? I always get confused over it.

Thank you!!!

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Cathrine

Can anybody explain to me the rule of thumbs on what shutter speed to use at what situations? I always get confused over it.

Thank you!!!

Hi Cathrine,

It's not just the shutter speed. You need to understand the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) and how they work together. Here's a good article to start you off.

Learning about Exposure – The Exposure Triangle

Keep shooting!

[Aleix]

Originally Posted by Cathrine

I have a bad habit of "filling in the frame".. it is because I'm struggling to see what I want to see.

I recommend you to shoot at the maximum resolution your camera allows, without filling in too tightly with the important part of the picture or the subject. It is better include a bit more, and then in the postprocessing phase to crop.

Originally Posted by Cathrine

I haven't thought about the metering--and I probably was focusing on the shirt.

If you don't know about metering modes and when should you use one or another, then read these:

Introduction to Metering Modes
Metering Modes Explained

[Axys32]

Aside from the person in the background and his foot being cut off, I really like the image. Although I understand it was an accident in your picture, I sometimes purposely over(or under)expose an image so that the viewer can get a better feeling of that moment. For example, if it was just an extremely bright day or it was a pretty dark or rainy day, I will adjust for how it really 'felt'.