The Missus

Ok - give it to me straight.
Just a shot of the missus...
I know what I like. I know what I don't like/

Whaddya think?

Camera D3000
1/125
f/4.5
ISO 320
Auto mode

[daddyoproductions]

Well if you know, why are you asking LOL Just kidding...the mods do expect you to post what you'd like critique on, as per the sticky.

Thanks!

I was just seeking a general critique is all.

[zona5101]

it's nice. Lighting is good, pose is ok, probably not the most flattering but not a negative, composition is well done with her over on the side and some nice open space, colors look fine. The face/eyes look ever so slightly soft, especially compared to the sharp blades of grass.
What part don't you like?

[MrJones]

overall it's a good photo. two things bother me though:
1. the soft focus which seems to be a bit off.
2. the background is just too distracting and busy, could use more blurring.

oh.. and her shoe looks awkward... but that's getting into minor details

[pekelo]

Originally Posted by MrJones

overall it's a good photo. two things bother me though:
1. the soft focus which seems to be a bit off.
2. the background is just too distracting and busy, could use more blurring.

oh.. and her shoe looks awkward... but that's getting into minor details

Was thinking same thing about the background...she almost blends with the background, her left foot kinda bothers me too, she looks uncomfortable in that position.

[BigFuzzy]

The two things I noticed immediately were:
1. lighting - it's in the middle of the day right? Though you managed to avoid any blown out areas, the light is still harsh and washes out the colors and contrast in this image. Makes the whole thing feel flat. Look at what the light did to her hands, they are almost blown out. But the big thing for me is the washed out colors/contrast/depth due to harsh light.

2. Background... just too busy for me. Less DoF (if possible of course) would have helped.


though i didn't notice it until I read others comments, yeah, the foot's a bit awkward feeling. I would have had her put the dress down to cover that one as well.

I like her natural feeling pose and expression..not posey at all which many over-do often. So well done on that. Just try to think about the lighting and background next time and it'd be a zinger.

[chicagojohn]

Originally Posted by Bakeys

Ok - give it to me straight.
Just a shot of the missus...
I know what I like. I know what I don't like/

Whaddya think?

I like the following: The hat, being somewhat unexpected, is an attention grabber for me. It made me think of the Randy Newman song, "You Can Leave Your Hat On." It's coloration blends well with the stone wall behind the pond. The pattern on the skirt seems to mimic the curved shapes of the water plants/algae. And the subject placement, with the face and hat being the central focal point, is in the rule-of-thirds position.

The subject is in sharp focus, emphasized against the slightly blurred background. I like the reflection of the stone wall across the surface of the pond, and I think the black dress is effective against the more luminescent and chromatic foreground and background. Also, her hair color is carried in the vertical dried grass layer in the stone wall.

While I also see and understand the opportunities for improvement suggested, as alluded to by BigFuzzy and others: Even as-is this image has a lot going for it. TFTP.