Candid "Portrait"

[bookloveraz]

I took this picture of my sister while she sitting on our wagon the other day. I do not have the original anymore, but I'm pretty sure all I did was to do a quick fix with my ps program, and then boost the contrast a teeny tad. I might've sharpened it a bit too. Anyway, my mom says that the cement in the background takes away from the picture because it's too boring. Any ideas? Does the wagon handle need to be cloned out?

EXIF:
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot S1 IS
ISO: n/a
Exposure: 1/160
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 29mm
Flash Used: no

[MrJones]

the cement is boring but it's not the problem here.
she isn't looking at the camera. I know it's a candid photo but if you dropped to her eye level it would have been much better and you would have less cement in the photo.
you cropped her arms right at the hands which just doesn't look right.
I would try a tighter crop to get more out of the photo, next time try to get a different angle, a little to the left and to the ground and you'll have a great photo

[bookloveraz]

Originally Posted by MrJones

the cement is boring but it's not the problem here.
she isn't looking at the camera. I know it's a candid photo but if you dropped to her eye level it would have been much better and you would have less cement in the photo.
you cropped her arms right at the hands which just doesn't look right.
I would try a tighter crop to get more out of the photo, next time try to get a different angle, a little to the left and to the ground and you'll have a great photo

Thank you for your help. I'll try to keep those things in mind for next time. If I would've gotten down on her level, I probably would've gotten a really messy background though... What would you suggest?

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by bookloveraz

Thank you for your help. I'll try to keep those things in mind for next time. If I would've gotten down on her level, I probably would've gotten a really messy background though... What would you suggest?

it's hard to say without looking at the background

[RLucas]

I really don't have a problem with the concrete at all. I think it adds to the mood quite well. The biggest problem for me is that you said she was sitting in a wagon. We do not see the wagon, and would not have known it if you had not told us. So it is more of a contextual thing for me.
Try to keep in mind as well that cropping at joints, like wrists, elbows, etc.. Are quite unflattering.