My 3yo Niece

[24Freak]

I haven't had much experience with portraits, but I love photographing little kids, my 3yo niece in particular. This is one of the last shots I got of her. She was eternally patient with me and so I rewarded her by quitting after getting this one. It was my favorite of the entire set.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...s/IMG_0125.jpg
No flash used.
55mm
1/250
f/5.6
ISO 1600

Basically, I'd like your opinion on the composition and what I can do to improve later on this shot and other portraits. Also, what did I do well in this photo?

Thanks for any input!

**Edited because I forgot the EXIF data.**

[24Freak]

No takers?

[tasmo2]

I am a beginner... so I don't give advice much, but since im the only one... LOL

Im not sure why your iso is 1600, but that is making your photo a bit grainy IMO.

And next time I wouldn't chop the top of her head off when her hair is fixed the way it is. I keep looking up to see if she has a cute bow or something because of the way her hair is pulled back. Just my nit pick probably.

I would also try to get a bit more light in her eyes, right now it looks like she has big black eyes instead of brown, with one dot for catch lights. It says you didn't use a flash, so im not sure what that one dot of light is? I have found that if you can get a good deal of light to the eyes it brings life to the whole photo.

As for the composition, you have more space on the left side, but it looks like she is walking towards the right side of the photo. Typically it looks better to have the space on the side they are walking to, or looking towards. So I would have put more space on the right side, which seems to have a prettier background anyway with the greenery. Instead you have a grey building with a box on it. So just scooting the child a bit more to the right would have given you a beautiful green background with no grey building. I have learned on here to always watch your background.

That's all I have! and like I said im pretty new so everything I have said has been what I have learned through posting photos on here and getting similar answers! once you hear "why is that tree growing out of that childs head?" so many times you learn to check your background before snapping. LOL!

BTW: I LOVE Jack!! He is my TV crush!

[PointNShoot]

Colors, subject, clothing and composition are great. A little dark in her face.