So many questions...so little time...

[sheila3]

Hey all! Here is my daughter looking out over the bay. (I find if I have her look away from the camera she won't give me that cheesy 5 yr. old grin) Anyways first of all first impressions...composition? focus?. I am also wondering about the WB and exposure. I have been shooting RAW and I find that when I upload I can't seem to make up my mind as to whether exposure is good or should be fixed. Ditto for WB. And any and all other critique welcome. TFL!

Canon Rebel EOS XS (nifty fifty lens )
1/350
f/8.0
iso 100
no flash

[sheila3]

I promise I won't get mad if you critique this photo. Really I won't.

[dalmorloson]

To my untrained eye...The photo seems ok composition and color wise. I actually like the setting and subject too. To me it just seems like an unnatural pose. Like she isn't comfortable-even looks like she is looking down like she is afraid of falling. I think with all other things being the same with a more relaxed and natural pose it would be really good. Iam just a newbie so don't take my critique TOO seriously, just stating what I see.

[jml79]

Honestly, when I saw your picture no really huge technical errors jumped out at me. The WB looks good, maybe a touch + ev comp, maybe. I can't see anything major wrong with the composition (but this is my weak pooint.)

Really nothing jumps out. It is a cute picture. Not a knock my socks off picture. But a good one. It shows some thought and posing without looking fake. So I guess my only critisism would be a more creative framing or angle to make it jump more but if that soft quite moment was the image in your head then you did well.

There maybe that will start it off.

[zona5101]

There is a lot going on in the lower half of the image. When it's busy like that it makes it harder to keep attention focused on the subject. Cropping it at the top of the rail wont work well either because you chop off the leg and you have an unappealing view of her pants. Just by holding of a piece of paper to my screen I do see a crop I like and that is right above her bent elbow. Seems stronger to me. Also increases (proportionally) the space to the left she is looking into. See if that crop appeals to you. If so then you can work on tweaking the color saturation in the sky, maybe increasing the black point to give it a little more pop and contrast...

[sheila3]

Originally Posted by dalmorloson

To my untrained eye...The photo seems ok composition and color wise. I actually like the setting and subject too. To me it just seems like an unnatural pose. Like she isn't comfortable-even looks like she is looking down like she is afraid of falling. I think with all other things being the same with a more relaxed and natural pose it would be really good. Iam just a newbie so don't take my critique TOO seriously, just stating what I see.

Thnx so much for the input. Untrained eye or not I really love feedback so I can learn. Yes it is posed. I need to work on being able to get a good in focus picture with the kids when they are more themselves. She is actually my very funny crazy kid so not scared. I'm afraid the shots I get of her natural we are both moving too much. I did just get a tripod for my Bday so maybe that will help. Thanx again!

[sheila3]

Originally Posted by jml79

Honestly, when I saw your picture no really huge technical errors jumped out at me. The WB looks good, maybe a touch + ev comp, maybe. I can't see anything major wrong with the composition (but this is my weak pooint.)

Really nothing jumps out. It is a cute picture. Not a knock my socks off picture. But a good one. It shows some thought and posing without looking fake. So I guess my only critisism would be a more creative framing or angle to make it jump more but if that soft quite moment was the image in your head then you did well.

There maybe that will start it off.

Thanx for the input. I really appreciate it. I agree it isn't really a catchy photo. I have found as I put more energy into all the technical issues my creativity bombs. I assume it will even out as I learn. Thanx again!

[sheila3]

Originally Posted by zona5101

There is a lot going on in the lower half of the image. When it's busy like that it makes it harder to keep attention focused on the subject. Cropping it at the top of the rail wont work well either because you chop off the leg and you have an unappealing view of her pants. Just by holding of a piece of paper to my screen I do see a crop I like and that is right above her bent elbow. Seems stronger to me. Also increases (proportionally) the space to the left she is looking into. See if that crop appeals to you. If so then you can work on tweaking the color saturation in the sky, maybe increasing the black pint to give it a little more pop and contrast...

Thanx so much Bruce. Yes I can see what you are saying with the railings and bamboo towards the bottom. I will give your crop a try and repost. Thanx again

[scropper]

Originally Posted by zona5101

There is a lot going on in the lower half of the image. When it's busy like that it makes it harder to keep attention focused on the subject. Cropping it at the top of the rail wont work well either because you chop off the leg and you have an unappealing view of her pants. Just by holding of a piece of paper to my screen I do see a crop I like and that is right above her bent elbow. Seems stronger to me. Also increases (proportionally) the space to the left she is looking into. See if that crop appeals to you. If so then you can work on tweaking the color saturation in the sky, maybe increasing the black pint to give it a little more pop and contrast...

I would love to see the cropped photo where you mentioned (above her bent elbow). That would look pretty great!

[metoo]

I think I would liked this shot in landscape. I looks like a pretty back round.