A woman who asked me to take her photo

[315edith]

Im still a beginner and like to shoot anything that I find interesting. I usually tend to make portraits black and white to emphasize the subject's emotions. In this photo, it was just a snapshot since it was located in a crowded place or in the public market. i was taking a picture of a colorful object when this woman suddenly came in and said Il take her a pic then posed like a model before me while bystanders laughed at her. By the way this woman is a familiar figure in that place and known to have lost everything in her life...including her mind. Please give some hints or pointers for me to improve this picture which i would also follow in my other B&W photos. Thanks!

I am using a point and shoot camera, Sony Cybershot DSC-S2000.

[oriolhdz]

Hello 315edith,

Nice shot! I think you can increase contrast to get a more dramatic effect. I know you said you want blank and white but why don't you try duo tone? It can give you nice effects to.
About the portrait, I think you frame it well, you cut one finger of her hand but as her eyes call the attention so much, it's barely noticeable. You can try to increase sharpness, with some high pass filter in photoshop.

Regards!

[lputman]

I understand this wasn't a planned photo so for future reference, her hand up to the cap appears much bigger than what it probably really is and adding to that is that the flat part of the hand is facing the camera. For women, try to have hands place in such a way that they are viewed from the side as opposed to flat. There a washed out thing going on camera right. I don't know if it's bright sun or not but it is very noticeable to me, contrast adjustment might help. Keep shooting.

[315edith]

Thank you very much for your critiques, these would help me a lot in improving my work.The washed out part on her left was the reflection of objects lit by the sun. We were on a shaded sidewalk.I tried to increase sharpness and contrast thru Picnic, just dont know if the brighter tone had made it just right or I placed more than just needed...more critiques please.. yeah Im currently doing some sort of practicing, shooting on almost everything from landscapes to animals, to flowers etc. Im still new in this field though photography (or the arts) is an old passion of mine.



I used point and shoot SONY Cybershot DSC-S2000 camera
ISO 100 0EV
60 F3.1