Bubble Baby

[dconte50]

Please help!! I think this is a "good" shot, but what could I have done differently to make it a "great" shot? I think there's too much distraction in the background, right? I feel like I'm close to being able to make the jump from nice snapshot to beautiful photo, but while I can recognize it when I see it, I can't quite seem to replicate it.

While taking candid shots like this - especially of a one year old who was not interesting in facing the way that would give me the best composition - how do you make sure you minimize those background distractions? Is it a technique thing, something best done in post, etc?

Thanks,

Dominic




Camera: NIKON D5000
Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/5.3
Focal Length: 46 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Lens: 18.0-55.0 mm f/3.5-5.6
Exposure Mode: Manual
Flash Fired: True

[MrJones]

first of all - straighten it out.
secondly, there is a lot of space on the left top corner that could have been used to not chop of the baby's head.
third, to much "noise" in the background... maybe taking the picture from the opposite direction might have helped (don't know the situation behind you...)

[loriejean72]

It is a nice shot...but what you are saying is you want it to look like art? If you want art you will need a helper especially with a little one. Someone out of the shot blowing bubbles and helping possition the child and whatever else, taken outside when the lighting is just right, morning and evening light are my favorites...watch what clothes and colors the baby is wearing, be aware of your background images (nothing too busy or overpowering)...there is a lot to it if you want art, but sooo worth it... they are only that age for just a few seconds...so it seems...Oh, and take a ton of pics, tons and tons to get those perfect shots...

As far as this pic goes, I would crop out the left side and top of pic and try to get back the missing foot and back of head and body. In this one I would center the subject, because the background is so distracting.