How to think about cropping/composition with a mirror shot?

[kristenh]

I took this photo of my toddler looking at himself in the mirror. This is sooc except that i added a bit of fill light and contrast to the raw file. in a shot like this, there is no possibility of composing in camera- he was opening and shutting the door and i was grabbing shots as i could. but i have the opportunity to crop- how would you do it? thoughts about anything else are of course welcome.

[SusanH1970]

This is so cute, Kristen. Honestly, it's pretty tight as it is and I wouldn't crop it any more. This is one of those difficult shots you were able to grab just at the right moment, and it works. That being said, I'd clone out the double reflection of his ear/side of his head, that part just looks a bit odd. The WB is off a little too, it looks very yellow and a tad green - easily fixed in post.

[sheila3]

Hey Kristen, adorable shot! I second what Susan said. And what a cute idea. My son was just doing the same this morning. Checking himself out in the mirror, making faces, talking to himself. I will have to try and capture it!

[sgeary]

I third that motion and raise it one. I would def. cloneout the double ear and fix the color image. Have you tried this photo as a B&W. I think it would be great as a B&W. The neon green helicopter is a bit distracting to my eye...

[kristenh]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

This is so cute, Kristen. Honestly, it's pretty tight as it is and I wouldn't crop it any more. This is one of those difficult shots you were able to grab just at the right moment, and it works. That being said, I'd clone out the double reflection of his ear/side of his head, that part just looks a bit odd. The WB is off a little too, it looks very yellow and a tad green - easily fixed in post.

thanks, Susan. i was afraid you'd mention cloning- i really will have to look into how to do it. it's a beveled edge mirror and all the shots have weirdnesses to them. might also recalibrate my monitor- it doesn't look especially yellow to me.... but fixing the WB is something i know how to do.

Sheila, thanks for the compliment- i've been taking mirror shots over time and its great when they are little- b/c they don't get that its themselves. i have some nice ones of him kissing the mirror baby- i'll look for one and post it now, mine knows who it is, so he's slightly less amazed, but it's still cute and of course makes for neat composition. i'll look forward to seeing yours.

sgeary, i'll give a b/w conversion a try. thanks for your comments

[SusanH1970]

Kristen, what editing program are you using?

[kristenh]

here's a b/w version (i don't actually know how to do this properly )



here he is smooching himself in the mirror almost a year ago:



all this dps reading- i think my photography skills have improved!

[kristenh]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Kristen, what editing program are you using?

um, er, picasa. i do have elements 8 but haven't had time to really figure it out. whatever fixes i do with it look verrry odd.

[SusanH1970]

In Elements, just click on the clone tool icon and set it to a smallish, soft brush. Then alt + click on an area nearby the part you want to get rid of to get your sample, then go over the part you actually want to get rid of. Okay if I have a play?

[kristenh]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

In Elements, just click on the clone tool icon and set it to a smallish, soft brush. Then alt + click on an area nearby the part you want to get rid of to get your sample, then go over the part you actually want to get rid of. Okay if I have a play?

oh, goodness, yes, please do. i'm supposed to be working so won't be able to mess around with it myself till after work, dinner, bath, bedtime, gym.... you get the idea!