Outdoor Natural Light

[RecceDen]

I would like some feed back on the lighting and contrast.

I took this about 5pm CET whilst out walking the with the family. My youngest shown here is the only one who loves to pose for her daddy.

Is the shadow on her right hand side too much? Should I have turned her more to the sun or had the sun behind her more?

Should I have used a fill Flash?



Exposure : 1/800 sec
Aperture : f/1.8
Focal Length: 35mm
ISO : 100
Flash : Off, Did not Fire
Exposure Priority : Aperture Priority
Metering Mode : Center-weighted Average

[Kate Howells]

This image has potential. IMO your DOF is too shallow - you could have gone with a smaller aperture (bigger f number), to ensure more of your subject is in focus. The eyes are lovely and sharp which is always important in a portrait.
I am not sure what lens you used, but my suggestion would be to use a longer lens if you have one somewhere around the 85 -105 mark.
Lighting wise, I would have turned her so that she was facing more into the light ( depending on how strong it is, as your subject will end up with squinting eyes if it is too strong.) The fall off wouldn't have been so drastic.
Keep an eye on your highlights - it is a good idea to activate the "blinkies" on your camera, which will show you immediately if any of your highlights are over exposed.
Make it a habit of checking your histogram on your camera for guideline on exposure.
Hope this helps

[RecceDen]

Thanks for the comments Kate.

You are right about the DOF. I wish now, after looking at the shot that again that more of her was in focus.

The lens I was using was my 35mm Prime, was all I had on me at the time, so had to work with what I had. I will have to pester the other half to let me purchase that 55 - 200mm lens I was after.

I love working with natural light (mainly lack of kit lol), I love the look and the natural feel compared to studio shots. However I am still very new in to Photography (first month of owning a DSLR) so still looking for that sweet spot.

I have my Nikon D3000 set to show histograms when I have taken the shot. Although on this shot I was rushed as I was out walking with the family and the two naughty dogs and forgot to check.

Kate, again many thanks for your comments and advice.

Den

[Paul Francis Photography]

Beautiful shot, great lighting! DOF draws the attention to the eyes which I think works well.

[kstiltne]

Personally I think it's a great natural light shot. I think the lighting somehow adds to the playful look she has going on. I like the composition, a little more DOF would have been nice...but I don't think it kills the shot. I would say good work for being a month in...and it looks like you have a good subject for lots of practice.

[Christina Glawe]

Actually, if you look at the larger image her eyes are not in focus, her bangs are. Check out the control on your focus points. Prime lenses are a great place to start and I might have used a 2.8. The eye on the left looks a little dead to me. I like to make sure both eyes are either highlighted or in shadow together. She is a beautiful little girl!! Since your background is not in focus anyway I would say turn her a tad bit more in the shadow and expose for it. Good job!

[RecceDen]

Christina - Thanks for the advice. Looking closely, the eyes are just out of focus and her fringe has stolen it. I think next time a little more DOF is in order.

kstiltne - thank you for you kind words. I hope she does not get too bored being her daddy's model.

Paul - Thanks very much. My wife loves the shot.

I wish I had more time though when we are out on our family walks to properly concentrate on the shots.

Thanks for every ones comments.

Den

[petitours]

I agree with more DOF...however, I think this shot is wonderful and that it could be greatly improved with some Curves + selective sharpening on the eyes. Also, off topic but...your daughter looks like the girl from the movie The Lovely Bones! She's beautiful.

[MasiKast]

I found this site a little while ago after I has just upgrades to a DSLR. There are a ton of tips on it.

Here's a quick simple video that explains out door portraits.

DSLR Tips Workshop: How to brighten daytime portraits with a fill-in flash

Your photo captures the essence of sweetness but the focus is definitely off, Your aperture should have been a tad higher. There are videos on that site about that too. I'm not sure that a flash would have been ideal in this picture however. I think this picture would have had a lit of help with a reflector. I know people don't walk around with them but if you drive to where you take a picture it, you can use a fold up windshield visor (generally good to have in the car anyways so it's a good purchase!) I have a white one with a metallic side and it comes in handy!

Hope this was helpful!

By the way I♥freckles! I wish mine didn't go away when I got older

[infocus]

I think the shot is almost there the angle and expression go along way of saving what you have here. Someone above mentioned looking at your focus points. this is essential if you want your pictures to have the focus you intended for it to have (especially if you own a canon). oveall great image just need to tweak some of the technical bits in the camera.