Why are faces so tricky?

[Siadele]

Hi everyone! I'm a complete newbie and I want to learn to eventually take great portraits (like some I've seen floating around this forum). I'm also still trying to learn my way around manual mode so I should probably get that down-pat first.

Here's a photo I took of my friend the other day, laughing while she was looking through a telescope on a mountain here in (not-so) sunny QLD, Australia. I guess what I'd really like to get some feedback on is the composition, cropping, angle, and the colour (why does her face look slightly red? is this something I did while taking the photo?).

All constructive criticism much appreciated



EXIF:
Taken on 3/12/2010
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Shutter 1/80
Aperture f/6.3
Focal length 55mm
ISO 200
Flash off
Just sharpened it a bit on the computer.

[kirbinster]

Looks like a great shot to me. I would guess the face is red from the wind, but you were there and know what the color should be. If you feel it is off you probably need to adjust the white balance.

[MrJones]

I too think it's great.
if only you could include the reason she was laughing

[Siadele]

Thanks a lot kirbinster, maybe it is just the wind. I guess it's not overly red. But white balance, hey? I'll have to remember that.

MrJones - she was laughing because she's pretty self-conscious, so I was just goofing around with the camera. There was another fantastic shot of her laughing but alas, it was blurry.

[autofocus]

Too red?? Could be your monitor. Looks OK on my calibrated monitor. One little criticism about the crop though...try not to cut off appendages at the joints if you can help it (as here at her wrists) But, otherwise, a nice informal shot of your friend

[Siadele]

Thanks autofocus, I've never thought about that aspect of cropping before.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Siadele

Thanks autofocus, I've never thought about that aspect of cropping before.

Yeah, it's kind of one of the basic tenets of portrait composition

[TBrown00]

Originally Posted by autofocus

Too red?? Could be your monitor. Looks OK on my calibrated monitor. ...

Looks OK on my calibrated monitor as well

[SusanH1970]

Color looks fine to me as well, but I agree about the crop. Shooting in portrait orientation rather than landscape and taking a step or two back to include more of your model would have helped in a more pleasing composition.

Very nice job on focus while capturing an unrehearsed moment, though!

[Siadele]

Thanks a lot everyone, I'm learning a lot. I think the redness was just my monitor (on a different one it looks fine) so will calibrate it. Going to go back and read up on portraits some more.

Thanks for the feedback!