My Angel

[jpel3500]

Took about 100 pics of her today. Just like this one the best. Please let me know what I could have done better. I am so trying to learn and get better. Oh, and in case you wonder, I don't wear my feelings on my sleeve. Let me know. smile.

From Family and friends. Hobbies and pics.

ISO: 64
Exposure: 1/400 sec
Aperture: 4.0
Focal Length: 45.3mm
Flash Used: No


Thank you all for looking.

JDPelfrey

[tan2sie6]

Super cute ...a little zooming out wouldeved helpd...to capture the portrait

[swilliams61]

Very cute little girl!!!! I agree...zoom out a little more; also watch the shadows and lighting. Granted, at that age, they are constantly moving so it's hard to keep all that under control.

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by jpel3500

The parts of the subject in the shade are underexposed. The face and half the chest is about 1.5 stops too dark. On the edge of the face and the other half of the chest, the detail is completely blown out by sunlight. The details on the face look soft. For portrait work, it is usually complementary to have the eyes in focus.

You cut off the top of the head, which can be used effectively in some cases (like facial close ups) but in this case its really distracting. You also cut off the elbow of her right arm which, again, is distracting. Your subject is also fairly centered composition-wise. While you centered subjects can be well done, you should read up on the rule of thirds for more of a powerful portrait.

The background is busy and consists of dirt and mulch(?) which are very bright in comparison to the subject. It also shows us the perspective of the camera, which is looking down from higher than the subject. Getting lower will help show what the world looks like from their height.

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[jpitz31]

Hello,

This situation would be a good one for vertical framing. You would get more of your daughter and less of the background. Get yourself a white card or a piece of foam core and have your better half use it on the left side of the face as a reflector fill card. You will get more of an even fall off of the shadows and put some more light on the shadow side of the face.

Also either put her in the shade or in the sun all together, instead of half and half. Shade would be better then you could use the fill card to brighten up her face. When you learn more about light ratios than you can start trying fill flash in the shade.

Thanks

Joe