On the train tracks...

[CSPhoto]

I borrowed my niece for the day and took her to my favorite places in my home town! I took close to 1200 pics, but since I can only post one, I chose this one for you guys to critique for me!

I did warm up the pic a little with my Corel editing software! How do you guys feel about the color or the pic? I'm not really a fan of anything blue... haha!

I would really appreciate any feedback! Thanks

D40
Nikkor 55-200
1/500
f/5.6
No Flash

[MrJones]

very nice, add a train behind and you have some shot there
just kidding, it's great

[BigFuzzy]

The only issue I have with this image is that it was shoot in very harsh lighting conditions so the light isn't flattering and creates some dark shadows on her face that could have been fixed with some fill flash or a reflector. My advice is to not shoot when the sun is high in the sky, so early morning or later afternoon is always best. Your PP work helped save the color a bit, but the shadows/flatness will remain.

I like your use of leading lines in the image and the way you changed the perpsective (by getting lower). Sooo many people use the same "I'm standing up shooting from eye level" perspective that it's nice to see you've not done it.

I also like your use of DoF and the composition works well for me.

Pose is a bit cheesey posey for me.. but hey, some love that.

Otherwise, with some work on improving lighting (either by timing or using flash), it's a shot she and you should be pretty happy with.

PS I saw many of the shots from this day on flickr, and yeah, they all suffer a bit from the flat lighting conditions. It appears to have been overcast, which helps, but it was still a bit harsh. If you have lightroom, you can use the Clarity and Vibrance settings to help with the colors/contrast in all these shots since that's what suffering the most in my opinion. I saw a couple where you DID use flash, and to me they were already much better (in terms of color and lighting) than most of the rest.. just get used to controlling your pop-up fill flash by learning the 'flash compensation" and it'll really help your images, especially putting more light in her eyes which, to me, is crucial!
Keep shooting!

[gturner]

The fuzz has it.
A reflector board just in front could help with the racoon eyes.

DOF works well.

I am not a fan of tilts and my neck hurting on shots like this. Is this shot it lifts the train track significantly to my eye. (not good or bad, just the way I see it)

[SuperDan]

agree with above..
fuzz hit it...

my critique thuogh, is to work on the skin tones.. she seems a bit orange to me

i really like the angle DOF

also, watch the feet, i wouldve had her cross them, as would look a little better and not have a floating foot