little boy-window light

[kristenh]

i was experimenting with window light and i like this shot of one of my boys.




my questions-

do you think the window jamb or whatever that is called (white part in background) is distracting enough for me to try and get rid of it w/elements?

i've been having trouble with focusing when i use a wide open aperture- any tips or hints? on this photo, i can't really find where the camera focused and i'm assuming its a little soft b/c the shutter speed was so slow. it was quite overcast on this day, in fact, pouring rain, so even this close to the window there wasn't a ton of light. was there something i should have done differently? i even removed the screen, but that was mainly so i could get them to look out the window and see birdies and such. they're pretty wild.

here's the exif data:

nikon D5000
focal length 35 mm (its a prime lens)
aperture 2.8
ISO 200
shutter speed 1/40

[MrJones]

it's a bit distracting but not that much..
the focus seems ok too so don't worry about it.
I do think it's a little underexposed, try brighting it up a bit.

[LeeR]

I love window light. I often find it ironic that we work so hard with studio lights to get the effect that can be ours for free with windows.

[deck]

First of all I like this picture also,

The window elements on the background is acceptable but can be improved by adjusting your composition (next time if you shoot again, not in elements) so that it is not diagonal in the picture.

Shooting with wider aperture just means the depth of focus is shallower, mostly in portraits you would want to focus on the eyes, here it is slightly off and is focused on the nose and hair (since they are in the same depth in the picture). You can improve that by moving your focus point next time

I think the exposure is just right, since the colors are good and the hightlights/shadows are retained well

Did I say I like this picture?

[ecate78]

Hello!

I like your picture very much and the light is fantastic, I think you did a good work with the window lightning. I am really not an expert, but I think this photo could be a very nice b/w if you can try it, and post it.

[helga]

I like the softness of the picture a lot. The window doesn't bother me. I think the subject draws enough attention to himself so that you don't really notice the window. It might be a reason though not to enlarge the picture.

[tasmo2]

I think that as a PP said, for a small print or a snap in a book this is a wonderful photo! If its something that you want one to have as a larger print for your wall I would reshoot with a few changes:
1. put him in front of the window, and you facing him so that he can look at you and have those beautiful catchlights in his eyes!

2. before you take the pic, check your background inside the viewfinder so see if anything unwanted is there.

3. Be sure that your focus box has his eyes in focus!

hope this helps!!

Love the shot though! Hope it makes the baby book!

[kristenh]

thanks to all who replied. i appreciate the help-i am just learning. tasmo, thanks for the specific advice. he's very active and doesn't take direction, but i do think your ideas would work if i could get him to sit a minute. it's been hard for me to get that focus right in the right spot at the right moment.

here it is in b and w, as ecate recommended.



better? worse?

[tasmo2]

I very much like the black and white version!

Here is a few tips for active kids:

1. to get them to look at you and laugh, you could sing, make noises, play peekaboo from behind the camera... anything silly that they will laugh at... LOL

2. for serious looks you could "tickle" his face.. I don't mean tickle like funny.. but lightly rub one finger in swirly motions over his forehead... etc.. or sing a song that he likes from bed time..

and for all kids, if you have another person with you it helps a TON.. I like to have a parent or sibling to either be behind me or to my side if I want the child looking away as in this photo. Have the person do the above advice depending on what you want. Hope this helps!!