Is this a good picture?

[NikD300]

Hi all,

On a recent visit to Puerto Rico, I found this wall at El Morro fort and loved the texture. So, I asked my DW to pose for me and took this snap. I some how lost track of these pictures and over this weekend while organizing my stuff, I found this. Really liked this shot.It was a very bright and sunny day (apprx.. 102F) so asked her to stay in shade.

So, the next question popped. Would my DPS community like this picture for its technicality? Trying to be a better photographer, I could help myself but post this here for your expert opinion.

What could have been better? A angled shot like this or a straight shot dead on? Is the focus right? Is the subject well composed?

<--- Removing the picture>

EXIF Info:
Nikon D300
50mm 1.8D lens
F6.3 @ 1/160 S
ISO:250
No Flash/No EV.

Note: This is a SOOC. No editing or adjustments done at all.

I cannot wait to hear your comments. Please keep them coming. Thanks in advance for your constructive criticism.

[NikD300]

Wow. Almost 40 views and no comments?

I am assuming its because either the picture is totally messed up and is not worth a review (god I do not think I am that bad) or this is actually a really good picture (I do not think I am that good either ;-).

Please post your critique.

[BexJarratt]

I've heard some people don't like to click on the links, so it might be better to past the html info into the post for the medium shot so people can see it straight off.

I'm not pro, this is just my amateur opinion. I like the angled body with the straight on face, if there was just a fraction more movement, like she'd turned to look at the camera that second it would have a more spontaneous feel. The eyes look nice and crisp and bright. I think I would have taken it portrait rather than landscape, the background is a bit too samey for so much in the shot. Or maybe if it was more angled down the frame so more blurred at the left side.

[Eileen D]

I agree that the link might be reason you aren't getting much response. I often don't click on the link in a message. Since your image is already on Flickr, it's easy to copy the info and include it in the post so the image appears here when a viewer opens up your page.

It seems like an appealing picture of her but she does seem to fade a bit into the background because of the muted color throughout the image. Could you try a bit more contrast between your subject and the background?

[Saralonde]

We have a lot of visitors here today that can look but not post, so that may be why there are so many views.

Very pretty lady. I like that you have her off to the side, but there may be a bit too much wall on the left. In fact, I think if you pulled her away from the wall a little it might keep it from looking too flat and having her blend into the background.

The hair across her face gives a little life to the shot and you got some catchlights in her eyes, although I don't get a sense of her personality. That keeps it from being a completely engaging image.

Shooting in the shade is a good idea when you are having a sunny day, but sometimes the shade can make the lighting go a little flat. Sometimes a little reflected or dappled light can liven up a portrait

No, definitely not a totally messed up image.

(And yeah, people seem to hate links.)

[NikD300]

Thanks guys. I never noticed the HTML code tagging. Totally missed that. Yes, I myself wouldn't click on links and shouldn't expect others to do it.

So, I stand corrected. Provided the HTML code info into the thread now.


As this is a SOOC, I haven't played with curves/levels at all. However, thanks Eileen, your point about her shoulder blending too well into the wall. Once I get all the suggestions, I will try to apply them to get the best of this picture.

Thanks and keep the comments coming.

[jml79]

Was that the colour that you remember the background?

I think that some exposure/colour work needs to be done to make that background pop. It feels overexposed and bland and I am sure it wasn't. Play with the black level and warm up the colour balance. If that doesn't do it then try a different approach next time, dial down the over all exposure a bit but use a fill flash for the person. With careful masking and blending you should be able to simulate this with this picture now. Especially if you shot in RAW.

Just my thoughts.

[NikD300]

Originally Posted by Saralonde

We have a lot of visitors here today that can look but not post, so that may be why there are so many views.

Very pretty lady. I like that you have her off to the side, but there may be a bit too much wall on the left. In fact, I think if you pulled her away from the wall a little it might keep it from looking too flat and having her blend into the background.

The hair across her face gives a little life to the shot and you got some catchlights in her eyes, although I don't get a sense of her personality. That keeps it from being a completely engaging image.

Shooting in the shade is a good idea when you are having a sunny day, but sometimes the shade can make the lighting go a little flat. Sometimes a little reflected or dappled light can liven up a portrait

No, definitely not a totally messed up image.

(And yeah, people seem to hate links.)

Great comments Saralonde. Would like to know these from your post...

- "although I don't get a sense of her personality".....how could I pull that into an image? What could I have highlighted to show this angle of her? She is the most beautiful thing that happened to me and she was pregnant at the time of picture. That made this picture even more precious.

- catchlights...is this a good thing or bad thing? If it is bad, how do i avoid that or remove them from this picture? Should I have used a built in flash?

Appreciate your response.

[NikD300]

Originally Posted by jml79

Was that the colour that you remember the background?

I think that some exposure/colour work needs to be done to make that background pop. It feels overexposed and bland and I am sure it wasn't. Play with the black level and warm up the colour balance. If that doesn't do it then try a different approach next time, dial down the over all exposure a bit but use a fill flash for the person. With careful masking and blending you should be able to simulate this with this picture now. Especially if you shot in RAW.

Just my thoughts.

jml79....I am not sure of the actual color of the background. I am sure it was probably darker than what is shown here. Yes, I agree that it needs some work. Will try to put all the comments and work on this image soon and will repost the newer version.

However, would be nice if someone who mastered the post processing shows their version to see how much better the picture could have been. That would be very interesting

[IABoomer]

If given the chance to re-shoot this, I might like to see you shoot more parallel to the wall and use a smaller depth of field to let that wall behind her blur out more.

This is just my take on the picture if I was developing this. In Lightroom:

Temp: +6 to warm it up a little (might have gone a touch too far, but not knowing her, I'm just guessing)

Contrast bumping
Blacks: 14
Contrast: +28
Tone curve: strong contrast preset

Clarity: +6
Vibrance: +31 (was trying to make the shirt pop a little more without messing up the skin tones

Added a little luminance noise reduction and a little sharpening with some masking to smooth her out a little, but not lose all her features.



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