Gavin gets beachy - a candid

[ginmarada]

I'm new to photography and to the site (1st post!! yay!!) This picture was shot in auto, but I try to shot mostly in manual or AV. I would like a technical critique of the shot; lighting, composition, basically anything you think that would allow me to improve. TIA.


Canon G11
6.1 mm
f/4
1/250 sec
ISO 160

[windrider86]

Do you have your exif information you could post for us?

[ginmarada]

Oops sorry about that.

I think it has every thing it needs now.

[jpitz31]

Exposure is good, I would try both a vertical shot as well. Start trying to see what the camera is seeing. This will allow you to be more creative with your shots. For example, place the seam of the wood running diagonal in the image. Start thinking about light. Photographers use light to maintain the 3 dimensional aspect of the image. They do this by introducing shadows and highlights to shape the image. Look at the eyes, you started to do this with the shadows around the child's right eye. Experiment with that some more.

By adding some soft fall-off to the child's face would increase more of a 3 dimensional shape.

Also think about natural backgrounds for the subject. Though I like the rustic wood with the bolt in it. It does conjure up a bit of a conflict with the subject.

Thanks

Joe

[ginmarada]

Thank you so much for all the great advice. Light has definitely been the hardest part for me to get so far.....and learning post processing. Photography is whole new way of thinking and seeing but I love it. Thanks again

Gina

[BigFuzzy]

I agree with jpitz in that the most lacking thing is the light on the childs face. I really think more light in the face and eyes would make this image pop.. One thing you may want to try, if the G11 allows it, is to use spot metering. This would have told the camera (once you pointed the center at the face and locked exposure) to properly expose for the childs face, instead of the "average" metering it probably used for this shot.

I quite like the composition and background.. it's the conflicting feels of it that make me like it unlike with jpitz. I think if all baby shots were with nice soft cuddly backgrounds more 'appropriate' for babies, they'd all look the same, ie boring.

I PP, I'd boost the contrast a bit. If you're using LR, then I'd use the Clarity option. If using photoshop, I'd consider doing some LCE (Local Contrast Enhancement). If using neither, then I can't help.. haha.

All in all, it's quite a nice shot that just needed a bit more light in the baby's face and a bit more contrast ... in my opinion which isn't the standard haha.

[ginmarada]

I have LR. I'll give some PP a try (I'm still learning) and let you know what I come up with.

Getting all this advice has really been a wonderful learning experience. I have a lot to learn and can't thank everyone enough for taking the time out to critique

[BigFuzzy]

Also play with the Vibrance setting a bit.. I think it'll pop your colors a bit without the over saturated look you get by using the saturation slider. I think you'll be pleased with the results.. but remember, subtlety is the key!

[NovtemberMommy]

I think the photo might need a little post-processing but other than that I would say it is terrific! The moment that you captured is perfect. The tiny smile makes the photo!

[ginmarada]

changed a few things in LR.....contrast, clarity and hint of vibrance. Not sure if I made it better or worse? I'm gonna have to get better at LR. I'm lost in there.