orphan-eyes of hopes

[jump_vee]

i took this photo at an orphanage in Flores-Indonesia.
the look on his eyes wasn't sadness..
it was some kind of hope and delight..

i took this in a rush and i hope you guys can give me advices about the composition,cropping, angle and whether or not i've made the right decision in turning the photo into BW...thanks



Canon EOS 1000D
ISO : 800 (it was dark)
aperture : f/4.6
focal length : 36mm

[jump_vee]

anything anyone?

[jpitz31]

Composition is good, I love the fall off of the shadow on the child's head. Good use of lighting to control the 3 dimensional shape of the child's face.

Sometimes as a photographer you have to take control of the shoot. I would have tried to reposition the child to remove the two children from the background. Yes, Some times you have no control over this and then your best method is to remove them in post.

Depending on how cooperative the subject was, I would have tried to get a few more shots of him using different angles and poses. Maybe get down on your knees and shoot at his level.

I do like the B&W image and feel that it would be the best choice.

Thanks

Joe

[LoWhen Photography]

I'm not great at portraits so don't take my word as law. But, I would have liked the lights to hit him at just a little bit higher of an angle.
I don't think you had control of the lights but if you could have moved him closer to the window (which I see in my mind) that might have done the trick.

Love the processing. You lost detail in your shadows on the top left and on his right hand. If you want you could probably go back and recover that detail a little.

One last thing Which is my personal taste, I think that your vignette should be feathered out just a little bit more.

[j_m7cl]

hi,

the background bothers me.. but there's a story behind his eyes.

regards,
dolfo

[jump_vee]

thanks everyone.. you made me see what i didn't before..
i'll try to re-do it..thanks for your time and great advices!

[Paul Francis Photography]

I think it came out pretty good, I just think the vignetting at the edge is too dark and distracting. The shot stands well enough on its own.