Missing something-- help please

[myeyes]

I am looking for pointers on how this photo could have been improved. The thing that bugs me the most about it is the little girls toes being nearly out of the frame. That is the only thing that I can point my finger at that bothers me-- yet, the picture seems to be missing something. Any thoughts or suggestions for improvement would be appreciated.

EXIF: Nikon D60, (1/30), f 5.3, ISO 220, no flash

[LeeR]

I actually think you have done a beautiful job here. That family looks posed but natural in a natural setting. The composition is terrific. Look at all the lines of the bridge that lead our eyes back to the family; the edges of the walkway and all the gaurdrails. That is great composition and a spot I'd use again and again if it is available.

If I see any problem at all it is that the background is competing for our attention a bit. You could create some separation between the family and the background with some sophisticated lighting or you could do it in Photoshop. I made a rather crude attempt at it by copying the image and darkening it, then using a layer mask to expose the lighter underlying of the family. It needs some more work, but I am hoping you get the idea. Aside from that, I'd leave it alone.

[LeeR]

I actually think you have done a beautiful job here. That family looks posed but natural in a natural setting. The composition is terrific. Look at all the lines of the bridge that lead our eyes back to the family; the edges of the walkway and all the gaurdrails. That is great composition and a spot I'd use again and again if it is available.

If I see any problem at all it is that the background is competing for our attention a bit. You could create some separation between the family and the background with some sophisticated lighting or you could do it in Photoshop. I made a rather crude attempt at it by copying the image and darkening it, then using a layer mask to expose the lighter image of the family underneath. It needs some more work, but I am hoping you get the idea. Aside from that, I'd leave it alone.

[edbayani]

you can go to image, canvas size, increase the width and on anchor, click the left, middle arrow. this will add space to your photo on the right.
you can do this several ways. but what i did was select the railing and put it in another layer and moved it to the vacant area. use free transform to adjust size and position and with layer mask blend the edge. do this for the rest of the vacant areas. then using quick mask, paint the background then exit quickmask which becomes a selection and you can blur and lighten or darken the background which in this photo, i lightend it a bit to separate the hair.. use the rubberstamp tool for fine tuning.

[irishmuth]

I think that even more than overall lightening, the image needs to have the shadows recovered - they are very dark on the parents' right sides of their faces and the smallest boy. I did a shadows/highlights adjustment on the family using a mask so only they were affected. I then used masked layers to brighten the background and darken the foreground (the bridge) a little bit. I also used the dodge tool on the eyes of everyone but the dad.

[Benji]

I see LOTS of problems. Everyone has raccoon eyes, mom's eyes are shut or nearly so, dad has his head tipped to the feminine shoulder, the boy in the center is posed in a major crotch shot, the little girl camera right looks like she is nearly asleep and her straight front leg looks really bad.

Benji

[myeyes]

Thank you everyone for the helpful information. The family really liked this one and I was not at all happy with it. You guys have given me some great tips on adjustments that will hopefully make me more comfortable with this photo.

Thanks!