My first post...please help!

[lovingmemories]

So, this is my first post! I am hoping that you guys can help me out! I, personally think that my whites are blown out, and that maybe her head blends in just a bit to much with the background, what do you say? I like the picture, I just don't love it! How can I fix this! Its coming up spring, and everyone wants beach shoots!

Exif Info: (this part is way new to me)

Camera: Sony A330

x&y resolution - 96dpi

Flash-fill flash fired

thats all I got, anyone know how to do this too? Thank you!

[IABoomer]

Have you processed this? Some programs strip the rest of the EXIF data from the image.

Consider moving her off-center. Try to avoid chopping heads, limbs (especially at joints), etc. Are you shooting in a programmed mode (pretty picture icon) or one of the user-control modes (Shutter priority [Tv], Aperture priorty [A], or manual)?

If you're going to use flash, search for information on balancing flash and ambient light. You could tone down the background exposure and use the flash to keep her filled in. Another option with a strong backlight from the sun would be to use a reflector to bounce light into your subject's face, although that might require a stand or an assistant.

Give us some more info and I'm sure you'll get some better advice.

[lovingmemories]

I have ran it through several EXIF reader programs and they all tell me the same thing. I even took one of my other photos and tried it to make sure I was doing it right, and it worked. So, I dont know exactly why thats all it says. Maybe I did strip it running it through different programs.

I usual shoot in (A) aperture priority, or (S) shutter priority.

Thank you so much for the advice on lighting and chopping! I am slowly learning the lighting, this shoot was done late evening and the sun was going down fast! Thank you again!

[Mso]

If you gave this a square crop taking off the right hand side it would look better. It is easy to make this look better by using an editing program to darken it a little. Do you have any software?

She is lovely and this could be a lovely photograph with a little work.

[lovingmemories]

I see what your saying about the cropping. Brings a little more attention to the face. I do have an editing program. I use Gimp, just can't seem to get the hold on Photoshop! Gimp is easier to use to me and does most of the same things as Photoshop.

[dannyrich]

I see the rule of third comment and cropping I dont believe will add to the photo, sadly i think it would benefit to be retaken with rule of 3rds in mind, the straw/grass just to the right of the shoulder would become more prominent with a photoshop crop.

That said, I like the picture, with regards to the picture itself, I quite like it how it is, its nice that its bright. If you use Lightroom id be tempted to push the contrast slider up high and slightly increase teh blacks and I think its good to go.

It would punch and should take on the added brightness.

Im very much a fan of creative crops, the clip of the top of the head works nicely, it makes the subject the picture, not a picture with a subject in it.

My opinion of course

[lovingmemories]

Thank you very much! I thought the same about the creative crop when I originally took the picture, then the two critiques made me second guess myself. Thanks for the tip on the contrast and for the right side! Im gonna try it!

I took a look at your photos on Flickr, can I just say...love them! Thanks again