Windows 2 the Soul

[Zuri]

This photo was taken after a cold weather ride. I know it needs some improvements, please let me know what I could have done to improve it and what your overall thoughts are.

Nikon D40
Aperture f 5.6
Shutter 1/4
ISo 1600
Focal length 55mm
no flash

[metoo]

my first thought is it isn't in focus. It looks like your shutter speed was to low and you have some camera shake. I think you needed to find a way to get more light in the room so you can up the shutter speed. Between the low shudder speed and the high ISO you were bound to get a grainy/blurry pic. Or at least that's how it works for me. I do like your subject though.

[sabrina860]

what she said ^^.

[MrJones]

I'll be direct and harsh. this is not a good photo.
a few issues:
1. as metoo mentioned - you are using a WAY to low shutter speed. unless you're using a tripod that would never ever work.
2. you took a close up photo of her eyes but because of your narrow depth of field - her left eye will always be out of focus. either try taking it from distance or use a smaller aperture.
3. at ISO 1600, unless you're carrying a high end camera - you'll get noise, that's why it's not recommended going over 400 or maybe in some cases going up to 800.
4. I think this photo would be great if you can take it outside on a green background (grass, trees). there you'll have the lightning to make this photo really come alive and you can use more "reasonable" aperture, ISO and shutter speed.

hope I helped

[Zuri]

Originally Posted by MrJones

I'll be direct and harsh. this is not a good photo.
a few issues:
1. as metoo mentioned - you are using a WAY to low shutter speed. unless you're using a tripod that would never ever work.
2. you took a close up photo of her eyes but because of your narrow depth of field - her left eye will always be out of focus. either try taking it from distance or use a smaller aperture.
3. at ISO 1600, unless you're carrying a high end camera - you'll get noise, that's why it's not recommended going over 400 or maybe in some cases going up to 800.
4. I think this photo would be great if you can take it outside on a green background (grass, trees). there you'll have the lightning to make this photo really come alive and you can use more "reasonable" aperture, ISO and shutter speed.

hope I helped

Thanks for the input. The focus was intentionally on the right eye to create the feeling of a 'sideways' glance, and I didn't want a background that would distract from the subject. With the black facemask I thought a lighter background would work. I'll take your recommendations re: ISO, shutter speed, etc and shoot it again.
Thanks

[Zuri]

Originally Posted by metoo

my first thought is it isn't in focus. It looks like your shutter speed was to low and you have some camera shake. I think you needed to find a way to get more light in the room so you can up the shutter speed. Between the low shudder speed and the high ISO you were bound to get a grainy/blurry pic. Or at least that's how it works for me. I do like your subject though.

Thanks metoo, aside from your recommendation about shutter speed and ISO, do you think that I should have used a different background? My aim was to capture the 'look' or 'glance' and make that the main focus, I wanted the viewer to be drawn to that instead of anything else in that photo.
Your critique is greatly appreciated.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by Zuri

Thanks for the input. The focus was intentionally on the right eye to create the feeling of a 'sideways' glance, and I didn't want a background that would distract from the subject. With the black facemask I thought a lighter background would work. I'll take your recommendations re: ISO, shutter speed, etc and shoot it again.
Thanks

Hi Zuri,
just to be clear, I meant you should use a blurred background using a bokeh (let's say all green). just because the yellowness of the wall is kind of in the shade of her face.

[metoo]

Originally Posted by Zuri

Thanks metoo, aside from your recommendation about shutter speed and ISO, do you think that I should have used a different background? My aim was to capture the 'look' or 'glance' and make that the main focus, I wanted the viewer to be drawn to that instead of anything else in that photo.
Your critique is greatly appreciated.

Honestly I'm not sure. I would have to see it. Sorry that doesn't help much huh? I can say That I didn't really pay attention to your backround or notice it. I was completely drawn to the eyes.

[Zuri]

Originally Posted by MrJones

Hi Zuri,
just to be clear, I meant you should use a blurred background using a bokeh (let's say all green). just because the yellowness of the wall is kind of in the shade of her face.

Got it, thanks for the reply.

[Zuri]

Originally Posted by metoo

Honestly I'm not sure. I would have to see it. Sorry that doesn't help much huh? I can say That I didn't really pay attention to your backround or notice it. I was completely drawn to the eyes.

Thanks, the eyes is what I was going for...