Portrait of my son

[neoHUNTER]

Hello I need feedback what needs to be improved in this image, again with my favourite subject, my son. . I need to know if the exposure is correct, composition wise, sharpness or other things you want to criticize.

EXIF DATA:
Time of the Day: Afternoon
ISO: 100
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter speed: 180
Flash: Did not fire
Handheld
Post processed using Photoshop
Len used: 50mm f/2.8


My boy by AngeloDefensor, on Flickr

Thank you in advance...

[neoHUNTER]

any input to improve please.

[Daisho]

What I think about the picture...

1. His shirt looks too bright on my screen (aka. over exposed area) LR has a checking tool for that, see if it links
2. Shooting people from below can make them look arrogant, not a good think for a kid shot in my opinion. You don't want him to come over as this, do you?
3. You croped the frame a bit to tight, cut of his arm and there is no space above his head, normally tight is better but here you did it a bit too much
4. Expression, this is a tricky one, not only but especially with children, he doesn't look comfortable... combined with number 2 this makes for a rather strange feeling when I look at the picture (dominant position + insecurity)

Hope that helps.

[neoHUNTER]

Hello thank you for your critique, i appreciate that, but could you enlighten me with your number 2 suggestion since this is not clear to me, I didnt crop the image, this is the original size untouched. Yah, expression is very difficult I agree, I have been trying my best to make him relax but adult is far different. Do you have any trick for children expression in mind?

[private]

Since you did not crop, you should have backed up to make sure you leave room for a crop. with kids portaits, I really like to see the eyes fall on rule of thirds line. Also, do you have a reflector?

[neoHUNTER]

okay thanks. I might consider buying one soon, just started serious on portrait shots lately.

[Camdixon]

how about play? Just let him run around if you want something fun.

Also, you may have been a tad too close then if that is the original size. Although, if his arm is like that you might be able to crop even tighter so it doesn't look quite so off with only his right arm out of the picture.

Check out this article (and the one linked to it from inside). It wasn't far from the home page of this site.
Pose for Effortlessness

[neoHUNTER]

thanks man, I need that link...

[lputman]

Take him to that very same tree, have him lean back on it and bend his right knee so the foot is against the tree. From the same position that you took this photo, take about three steps back and have him turn his head toward you and snap. I'm going to assume that the remaining background that will be seen will work for this re-arrangement.

[neoHUNTER]

thank you for your step by step advice. I will try to shoot him again.