Two of my favorite people

[HomeschoolWinner]

I posted this in the Share Your Shots section a little while back but I really would like some feedback. Someone told me that it could be warmed up a bit, I think that's a good idea, what do you think? Is there anything else that you can point out to me? I love this shot a lot.

If anyone would like to see some variations on this shot you can click here. Any comments on that would be welcome

Nikon D80 with a Nikkor 18-70 lens
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/350)
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash
Just a little PP in photoshop. Nothing much done.

[HomeschoolWinner]

Any thoughts at all...anything...

[laurie millar]

Well....I think your subjects could be lighter. I don't love the comp or the angle because even though it's different, I don't think it makes the impact it should. You know what though? I've said it before and I will say it again, what matters is that you love it. I don't know why people are posting personal pictures they love and then asking for critique....doesn't it kind of ruin it? What if it gets ripped apart? I don't think there are any major errors worth pointing out, except the small opinions at the beginning....all I see is a picture of two happy people and it makes me smile.

[j_m7cl]

hi,

i think the background is brighter than the suject, and the brach of the trees disects to the subjects head..

just my opinion

best regards
dolfo

[HomeschoolWinner]

Originally Posted by laurie millar

Well....I think your subjects could be lighter. I don't love the comp or the angle because even though it's different, I don't think it makes the impact it should. You know what though? I've said it before and I will say it again, what matters is that you love it. I don't know why people are posting personal pictures they love and then asking for critique....doesn't it kind of ruin it? What if it gets ripped apart? I don't think there are any major errors worth pointing out, except the small opinions at the beginning....all I see is a picture of two happy people and it makes me smile.

Well the reason I post a photo like this for critique is because since it is a photo of people I love (my fiance and my niece) it's really hard for me to pick at it and find what needs improvement. I love the photo but ultimately I want to improve. So I need an unbiased opinion to tell me what's what! My aim is to improve. I really appreciate your feedback

[laurie millar]

This is a great way to improve. One thing I had to learn, and I'm still working on it, is that there is a big difference between a snapshot and a portrait. I don't think snapshot can really be critiqued because what can you really change in the future? If you're trying to capture a moment sometimes you don't have time to change all your settings perfectly or even set up a composition...you take the picture. I used to go over my snapshots and get really down on myself, so I guess I'm trying to help you NOT do that.

So if I treat this picture as a non-snapshot, I'd say that I really don't like the angle of the camera. If you have strong backlighting, adjust your camera accordingly and maybe use a flash to even it out. I think you could have gone with a slower shutter speed. I like the black and white version you did.

I actually think you have a lot of good pictures! So keep on keepin' on

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by laurie millar

I like the black and white version you did.

This.

Te background is obviously blown, which in and of itself is no big deal at all, but it does leave the models underexposed. Were it mine, I'd do a curves adjustment to lighten them (or one of the several other ways to do it) and convert it to B&W.

The rotation is too heavy-handed and doesn't add anything, aside from a crick in my neck from trying to get the frame into a more comfortable position. Try something closer to getting his head at the same angle as the girl's is currently. If you're terribly attached to rotated images that is, but I'd lose it altogether.

I really like wide angle shots, including 'portraits', so that does work for me.

You may want to remove that log/post/plank/rectangular black object in the lower right of the frame. If you can't reliably clone or remove it in PP, just try a different crop.

fun flickr stream btw

[BigVinnie]

Technically it has about 20cc too much magenta for my taste.

The shot itself I like. The sun behind the girl is a bit distracting. I think I would add a B&W mask at about 30% then reduce the brightness and contrast a bit. Give it a more muted feel.

When it comes to pictures of the ones you love there are no rules, just opinions.

[cowgrlsheart]

If you're looking for a fun angle, I would have gone portrait style with the camera cocked off to one side just a bit. This is too steep of an angle and makes you feel like you have to turn your head to see the people in it.