Should I try to brighten the background?

[Bobd20011]

I really like this shot, but it is not comparatively as "bright" as some of the photos I see on these boards. Should I try to brighten the background a bit?

Any suggestions / critiques are greatly appreciated. I am very new to posting on these boards (brand new), but I have been lurking for a long time.

Thanks in advance for any comments!



F 2.5
1/250
ISO 100

[klam]

I wouldn't brighten the background flowers because the focus is the baby. I would darken the shirt so it doesn't grab as much attention as the baby. Our eyes tend to naturally go to the brightest part in the photo.

edit- Your white balance seems a little on the cool side for baby skin. I would warm it up a bit.

[Bobd20011]

Originally Posted by klam

Your white balance seems a little on the cool side for baby skin. I would warm it up a bit.

Good call. I didn't alter the white balance at all.

[terri33inne]

What a precious shot!! I love it. The flowers are a nice background. and I think they are fine. I would try to warm up the baby a bit to really POP.

[becksjd]

I agree with all the suggestions so far. Maybe boost the saturation a bit on baby's skin so that it isn't so "cold" looking whereas the flowers are warm.

[Bobd20011]

I am starting to think that my eye runs cold. My wife always suggests that I should leave the pictures “warm” when I am editing the RAW files, but I tend to prefer the colder look. Your comments lead me to believe that I should be listening to my wife more. (Note: I did not touch the white balance on this one, but I agree that I could warm things up a bit.)

[Bobd20011]

Is it useful to have more Exif information than just the “big three?” I am just wondering for future posts.

[terri33inne]

Personally I like to see what kind of lens & camera were used (but that my just be b/c I'm in the market for a lens right now)

Be sure to post if/when you make changes...

[Bobd20011]

Thanks for the advice. I won't be able to make any edits until this evening.

My setup for this shot was a T1i with the Canon 50mm f/ 1.4. I really like taking "people" shots with this lens. I pretty much leave this lens on the camera most of the time because I am much more interested in people, than landscape or macro shots.

I am a true novice, so any tips are greatly appreciated.

[Bobd20011]

Here is take two:



What a huge difference! I guess my wife was right, I need to not make my pictures so cold.