Bad Baby Photo?

[Naois]

I took took a bunch of pictures of my 15 month old daughter a few days ago and I was only able to get one or two shots worth keeping (the others were blurry due to her moving all over the place). In my opinion, this is the best from the set.

I gave a copy of this to my mother and she said she didn't like it very much. When I asked why, she couldn't explain it. When I look at it I think it's pretty good. I know I should ask a specific question for critique, but I honestly don't know what's wrong.

Please let me know if anything stands out as being "off" in this photo.




Click image above for larger version.



Thanks!

[autofocus]

Some traditional thinking people may think that a head cropped off at the top ruins an image, however, that's not the case in general, and certainly in your very nice photo. This is a nice shot..you followed some of the basic compositional rules, the exposure looks good, it looks sharp, colors nice, etc. And most of all, you have an adorable little model! Many old timers (and I can say that because I am one) think that all "pictures" of people should be smack in the middle of the frame while squinting, and looking directly into the sun!

And I just noticed Waterbury...does Woodbury have a familiar ring to you neighbor?

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by autofocus

Some traditional thinking people may think that a head cropped off at the top ruins an image, however, that's not the case in general, and certainly in your very nice photo. This is a nice shot..you followed some of the basic compositional rules, the exposure looks good, it looks sharp, colors nice, etc. And most of all, you have an adorable little model! Many old timers (and I can say that because I am one) think that all "pictures" of people should be smack in the middle of the frame while squinting, and looking directly into the sun!

And I just noticed Waterbury...does Woodbury have a familiar ring to you neighbor?

+1. I really don't see anything wrong with it. I can't really add anything to what Vince said. Different people have different tastes. My mom is the worst. I was a "husky" kid, and she insisted on dressing me in horizontal stripes. Take it with a grain of salt. It's a solid photo.

[kristenh]

i think it's great. the only thing i might change, and it could just be my monitor- would be pinking her up a little- she looks a little gray. but i'm on a laptop, so who knows.

my mother prefers a cheesy grin, maybe that's what your mom doesn't like? i much prefer a real expression. maybe mothers don't understand that we are artists

[NicolaB]

Mothers!

I think it is nice. Lovely sharp eyes with nice catchlights. Nice soft colours. Light uncluttered background.

I am new and a lot of my images are like this - tight head crops - possibly like yourself I am honing my skills of focus, exposure, light etc etc. I am starting a 52 week challenge this week and after my images have been ripped apart on another site :-( I am going to pull back and work on getting technically correct images - not just tight head shots.

As others have said, tight, chopped crops are not everyones bag - and as you and I both know, we can do better when we put our minds to it but perhaps it takes a slap or too from the uber critical to take us up a level?

Back to this image - I like it but what is important is do you like it? You are after all Mum so what ever anyone else thinks is pretty irrelevant!

Keep up the good work!

[tasmo2]

I think its an adorable photo!! Moms... they are our biggest critic sometimes and other time our biggest fan! LOL! my mom HATES it when I don't have the whole head in the pic. I on the other hand love the up close of the face, and sometimes that means a head chop! LOL! Personal preference! I have started putting my zoom where I like it, then backing up a bit so I can give my mom a not so close up not head chopped version! ha! It could just be my screen, but to me her face looks a teensy bit pink already, so I wouldn't pink it up at all. And I have to say.. she has GORGEOUS eyes!!

[Trish Phillips Johnson]

I think it's a great shot. The eye's stand out so nice. Great job!

[Naois]

Thank you for all the comments.

Today I was at my mother house for my aunt's birthday and my niece noticed the picture sitting on the counter, said she really liked it.

I asked my mother specifically about the top of Sarah's head being chopped off and the non-smile look on her face and she said she would prefer to see her smile. So I guess that was it.

I guess it's just a matter of taste, and I took the picture for myself and I like it.

As long as there isn't any glaring technical flaw, I'm happy.

I re-calibrated my monitor today to check the color, and she does look a little light, but that's really what she looks like, very fair skin, like her mother.