My Valentine

[Hsquared]

This photo was taken in my front room using the available light coming in from the window. I wanted a few Valentine's Day pictures of my 8 month old daughter. I definitely have some more practicing to do so I'd love to hear your recommendations on what I could do differently.



Exposure 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture f/5.3
Focal Length 46 mm
ISO Speed 400
Flash No Flash

[apt10photography]

This is a great photo, its a little dark on the right side (left side of her face, maybe a reflector off to the right would have fixed that), but other than that it looks tack sharp and i love the idea. How did you get her to be still for 1/10 of a second. I try that with kids and it always ends up blurry.

[kristenh]

the blocks are a great idea and your daughter is darling. i also like that you were thinking about the background- but, for me, the background is way too busy- it really detracts from the child. you could either use a wider aperture and sit her farther from the wall- which would blur it into (busy, possibly still a little much) bokeh, or you could try something tamer for a background. additional advantage is you could increase your shutter speed b/c you'd be letting in more light. once you settle your background issue, consider placing yourself so that the floor and the molding do not show- only the wall backs her up. or, alternatively, place yourself well above her and have her look up and have only the floor as a background- although that could mess up the block thing.

apt 10- i've been trying to get a valentines shot of my 2 little ones and the thing that works best is giving them lollipops- heart shaped, of course

[SuizoPR]

The picture is composed greatly, and sharpness is excelent! The subject is cute, yet as said before, the right side of her face is a tad under-exposed. This doesn't pose a big problem though. What I do not like is the background, it eats my eye-sight! For the next time you could go with something a bit more valentine-ish, something red or so.
Great shot though!

[Hsquared]

Thank you for the feedback thus far! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I don't love the background either, but I was trying to make do with a piece of fabric that I had. I did get a few shots at a larger aperture. I don't know if it makes it any better.

In this one she is playing with heart shaped pillows.

Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 50 mm
Focal Length 50.4 mm
ISO Speed 400

I used the piano that is against the wall to hold my backdrop so the window was on the side. Should I angle her more toward the window (since I don't have a reflector)?

[rogue212005]

For me, still too much going in the background, but I understand working with what you got. As for a reflector posterboard and aluminum foil work great. I feel there is too much of a shadow on her face.

[Crabs]

Im with these guys on the background i the first shot, but apart from that its very cute.

The background in the second shot actually look 3D to me. LIke bubbles

[ihsankhairir]

I agree with most of the guys here regarding the background.

In the 2nd photo, her right hand and the lit side of her face are a bit overexposed I think.

[kristenh]

Heather, i think it does help to have the background blurred, as in the second shot. still a bit much, imo- does the fabric have a back side that is more muted? anyway, i agree with you that you should try and get her to face the window light a bit more- that would really help the second shot. very cute, though