Lighting Too Flat??

[GrandmaBev]

What do you think of the lighting in this photo? Is the lighting too flat? How is the exposure? Should I be striving for a longer focal length? Critiques are always welcomed. I used two background lights, main light up to camera right and a fill light lower to camera left.

Thanks,
Bev




Nikon D80
f-stop 7.1
shutter 1/160
ISO 125
Focal Length 52 mm
Spot Metering

[SusanH1970]

Exposure looks spot-on to me! Yeah, the lighting is a little flat, but I don't mind flat lighting for babies. I think it's fine.

The composition is a bit too centered for me, though - too much negative space on either side. Maybe crop in tighter?

[MrJones]

i don't know... everything looks great technically but it's just too much white for me.
try cropping it like susan suggested.
it gives me the feeling of product photography for a catalog, while his parents will love it - others who don't know this baby might not find it that interesting.

[GrandmaBev]

Thank you for your comments. I agree about all the white space. How do you like this crop? I try to stay with a 4x6 crop for easy printing.

[SusanH1970]

Definitely prefer the crop! Too bad the piano is cut off, but better.

[MrJones]

much better! now it doesn't scream white!

[PROFusioNZ]

hey Bev,

Excellent photo. How'd you get the baby to pose like that? I shot some photos of my 1 year old niece, who couldn't stay still!

Exposure looks pretty spot on - good job on that! Flat lighting works for this photo/subject. I don't really mind the white space, it's just the composition - the subject is too centered, even in the second crop.

For me, I would crop so that the rear of the baby is close to the left side of the photo and leave the negative space on the right. Getting the baby's eye close to the rule of thirds.

[GrandmaBev]

The little guy is 15 months old and usually always on the go!! He just happened to be intrigued by the piano and was pounding away on it. Here's another crop. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Bev