time for the truth..

[tasmo2]

Ok I posted this on SYS because I like them.. but now its time for the ugly truth. LOL I am learning a great deal from you guys by posting in this section and getting thick skinned. ha! So Here is one of the photos that I really liked, but I KNOW I have a lot to learn and can always do it better, so please let me know what can be done next time to better this photo! composition, lighting, background, editing... etc. Thanks!



Camera: Nikon D3000
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

[candleman]

Originally Posted by tasmo2

Ok I posted this on SYS because I like them.. but now its time for the ugly truth. LOL

*sigh* someone that gets it



EXIF, lighting please?

for me theres too much contrast across the face, and so too with the background.
i dont really like how the forground is a beige/grey and that then merges into white.

for me it should be one or the other.

if you wanted beige/grey (like the towel) the background should be similar in colour/tone
if you wanted the white look, use a white towel and make the background white too.

they dont work together.
i know its probably just your window light thats harsher on the background than the foreground but you'll need to manage that.

i might have removed the colourful badges on his shirt.

thats about all from me.. i'd have preferred more even lighting across the face.
there is too much contrast for a "soft cute baby" look IMHO

[tasmo2]

Originally Posted by candleman

*sigh* someone that gets it



EXIF, lighting please?

for me theres too much contrast across the face, and so too with the background.
i dont really like how the forground is a beige/grey and that then merges into white.

for me it should be one or the other.

if you wanted beige/grey (like the towel) the background should be similar in colour/tone
if you wanted the white look, use a white towel and make the background white too.

they dont work together.
i know its probably just your window light thats harsher on the background than the foreground but you'll need to manage that.

i might have removed the colourful badges on his shirt.

thats about all from me.. i'd have preferred more even lighting across the face.
there is too much contrast for a "soft cute baby" look IMHO

yep.. I get it .. Ya get your warm fuzzies and boosts over there, and then come here for some reality. LOL

it actually was one blanket, but it looks two different colors because of the light I guess? What could I do to fix that using the window light?

I thought about removing the badges... and got lazy.. LOL I know, bad me! I tend to be a little more lazy on the pp with my own kids photos. Ha!

So to get more even lighting, I would need to use a reflector right? I have a poster board, but not sure im doing it correctly as I haven't seen much of a difference with and with out. Do you just put it beside them or is there an angle you need?

Thanks for all your C&C! I appreciate it!

[RLucas]

I like it! You nailed the focus dead on. I really don't want to say this, as I am a big proponent of getting as much of it right in camera as you can, but the issues you have with lighting, and even the contrast in his face can be fixed fairly easily. A white point adjustment, and a layer mask (blend mask), can do a lot for this image. You have a good image to start with, so you may want to give it a shot.

As for reflectors, or white cardboard, if you are shooting indoors, and using natural light through a window, you will have to place the reflector as close as you can to the subject. The light from the window is already somewhat diffuse, so you lose some reflectance. You just want enough light to fill. Sometimes, you may not notice the difference with your eyes, but you can see it in the photo.

[OkNewbie]

Nice picture...I like the composition and focus is good. Lighting across the face seems too dim. His big, blue eyes should be grabbing all the attention; however, the bright background draws my attention away from the eyes.

[Life in Motion]

i think it is beautiful...just noticed a few things that bugged me a bit. hope u don't mind this is just for a visual

brightened midtones slightly and portrait contrast. adjusted whitebalance because after i brightened it looked a tad yellow. i noticed arms pinker than rest of body and splotchy, also under neck area. chose the stamp tool and on a very soft transparent setting gently went over splotchy areas to make skin slightly more even. then selected arms and adjusted them with brighter midtones seperately to get more even lighting as compared to the rest of body. you could do better with original....just a quick example

my two cents

if u don't like it it take it down