half a penny for your thoughts...maybe???

[rward78]

From Ashley

Nikon D90
ISO 2000
exposure 1/500
aperture f22
focal length 105mm
no flash

I took this shot recently and need to know how to improve it. I am more of a visual learner and not real good about reading technical books. Played with the manual settings and decided I liked this look. Not sure it is "right" - can anyone offer any input regarding the correct exposure,aperture and ISO for a bright sunny day. Thanks ahead of time for your help!
P.S.no pp has been done to the file other than my name.

[MrJones]

your photo is underexposed and here is the technical issues with that photo:
1. you're shooting at f/22.. why? there is not reason to do so when taking a portrait.
usually when taking a portrait, you like to get shallow DoF and with f/22 you get it to infinity.
2. because your shooting at f/22 - you bumped your ISO up to 2000. again, there is no reason to do that when taking a photo outside.. the only thing it can do is damage your photo with noise.
3. the colors are all wrong, you gave her a really red face.

I've tried to work on it a bit with photoshop (hope you don't mind), to give you an idea of what it should have looked like.. this is far from the quality it could have had if you shot it right to begin with, but it will give you an idea for next time

[RichardTaylor]

A guide for a bight sunny day, and a subject in the sun, is the old "sunny 16 rule".

Exposure = 1/ISO @ F16.

So at ISO 100 that would be 1/100 @ F16

The other thing to consider is the old 1/focal length rule to reduce the effect of camera shake - I multiply it by the crop factor just to be safe.
So if F=100mm then I would be shooting at around 1/150 second.

[rward78]

WOW...I see what you mean. I am going out at lunch today and find a willing victim...ahhh subject that is and try the Sunny 16 rule. I thought it was an ok pic until I saw the pp version Mr. Jones was nice enough to show me. All I can say is I am new and totally awful, but I promise to practice and try to learn more of the technical. This site and forum are really helping alot, so please keep the comments coming. Have a great day!!!!

[rward78]

What is the key to getting more people to critque your photos? I see that it is being viewed alot, but not a lot of chatter?

[RichardTaylor]

Re exposure.

You may find this tutorial, on this site, of interests.

Exposure (1) A balancing act

Re critique.
Personally I don't feel qualified to critique, unless it is a technical problem or something glaringly obvious.

Sometimes nothing needs to be added to preceding posts.

[nswphotos]

Alot of us are still learning, so viewers are interested to see the more experianced answers. I liked your photo, it was a nice pose and the highlights on the hair was creative. You have had some great advice given. When I was learning I would play a game of > I wonder what settings the full auto would choose,
Then for enhancing the shot go manual and change those settings to get the adjustment you prefer. You might want greater DOF or a high key effect with a brighter finish ect. It's endless what you can do. reflectors, Flashes, PP the list goes on. Heaps to learn all fun ,>>All the best.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by nswphotos

Alot of us are still learning, so viewers are interested to see the more experianced answers. I liked your photo, it was a nice pose and the highlights on the hair was creative. You have had some great advice given. When I was learning I would play a game of > I wonder what settings the full auto would choose,
Then for enhancing the shot go manual and change those settings to get the adjustment you prefer. You might want greater DOF or a high key effect with a brighter finish ect. It's endless what you can do. reflectors, Flashes, PP the list goes on. Heaps to learn all fun ,>>All the best.

it's just amazing how the more you learn, you just understand that there is a lot you don't know..

[rward78]

Never thought of it that way....checking out the recommended reading and will be trying guess the auto thing....thanks for the compliment on the posing and creativity...I am just so unsure about whether or not I have any talent or am just shooting snapshots....if that makes any sense.