First Post, First Portrait...

[C_justlearning]

I am sooooo nervous to post (dumb, I know).


Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
0.0025 s (1/400)
f/4.3
ISO : 160

This is my daughter, i told her to "Tell me a story" otherwise she just poses like a diva.

I am by no means a professional, in fact, I hesitate to even call myslef a photographer. I just got an upgrade from my point-and-shoot (a better point-and-shoot ) & I'm having fun with the controls & experimenting.
I am seriously hooked on DPS now.
I thought this was quite good for not having read any of the portrait articles yet!

1. Should I have centred her & not had the space on the side?
2. Should I have used a flash so the background wasn't so exposed?
3. Am I almost cutting off a bit of her hair/head, or is this acceptable?

Am I a natural?

Thanks...

[dolphin1]

You are actually not bad at all for a beginner. I am no professional either but in my opinion I would have centered her since the background is blurred out anyways. I hope you don't mind but I brightened her face up a bit since I found that it was kind of in the shadows. All in all not bad in my opinion. Welcome to DPS!

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by C_justlearning

I am sooooo nervous to post (dumb, I know).

This is my daughter, i told her to "Tell me a story" otherwise she just poses like a diva.

I am by no means a professional, in fact, I hesitate to even call myslef a photographer. I just got an upgrade from my point-and-shoot (a better point-and-shoot ) & I'm having fun with the controls & experimenting.
I am seriously hooked on DPS now.
I thought this was quite good for not having read any of the portrait articles yet!

1. Should I have centred her & not had the space on the side?
2. Should I have used a flash so the background wasn't so exposed?
3. Am I almost cutting off a bit of her hair/head, or is this acceptable?

Am I a natural?

Thanks...

Don't worry. We're generally nice people and almost always trying to be helpful if we're not nice.

To answer your questions first:
1. No. Centered is booooring. Everyone centers. Yes, there are times when the symmetry of the image calls for centering, but it's rare. I'd always err on the side of not centering. If you've not already, a good starting point (ie not a hard&fast rule) is to become familiar with the Rule of 3rds.

2. The background being so exposed isn't so bad if you got her face properly exposed (it's too dark and dolphin did a good job brightening). I'd only use flash if you know what you're doing because of the risk of making it ugly. I'd much rather you exposed for her face (learn about exposure lock from your manual) and blow out the background than use bad flash. One of my natural flash portrait guys (Lou O'bedlam on flickr) constantly blows out his background (here here and here) but because his subject is so well exposed and/or compelling, it does not matter.

3. I think your crop is acceptable. Some won't like it, but I think it's fine.

General comments.
As noted, learn your exposure lock so you can expose for her face, then recompose it like you did here. Your camera naturally tries to find the middle ground (ie grey) which often isn't what you need for a compelling image.
Also, because her face is so dark, I lose a connection witht he eyes which, to me, is the most important thing in a portrait such as this (and portraits in general). Also, because of this, make sure you nail the focus on the eyes. So if you're not sure, learn about focus lock as well.

I think this is a very nice first step. Good elements, and unlike so many here, you clearly put thought into taking this image and it's not just a snap-shot, well done. Now, just always ensure the main subject of your image is perfectly exposed, even at the expense of other, less relevant, elements in the image.

Keep posting. Don't be afraid.

[C_justlearning]

Thanks Bigfuzzy & Dolphin...

Not quite so scary since you're being nice!

The sun was REALLY bright, so we were standing in the shade & she wasn't standing still! Think this was really a kind of point&shoot shot but I'll be practising my exposure thing!
I really am a beginner beginner, so I'm quite impressed with myself!

I have another one from the same set that is centred... do you want to see it? Can I put it in here or does that break the rules?

[dannyrich]

Originally Posted by dolphin1

You are actually not bad at all for a beginner. I am no professional either but in my opinion I would have centered her since the background is blurred out anyways. I hope you don't mind but I brightened her face up a bit since I found that it was kind of in the shadows. All in all not bad in my opinion. Welcome to DPS!

Totally agree, im a big fan of negative space too.

Pop the flash next time on TTL and you've got a wonderful pic of your daughter.

I struggle in harsh light outdoors, i dont have the patience!

[Guemene]

The photo of the little girl is delightful. She isl in focus and the background out of focus. That is a nice touch. The little girl pops and she looks so sweet in the light.

I am new too. Not sure where to begin. I am pretty dumb about forums. How do I post a photo please?

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by C_justlearning

The sun was REALLY bright, so we were standing in the shade & she wasn't standing still! Think this was really a kind of point&shoot shot but I'll be practising my exposure thing!
I really am a beginner beginner, so I'm quite impressed with myself!

I have another one from the same set that is centred... do you want to see it? Can I put it in here or does that break the rules?

Well this is the problem isn't it.. you have to give yourself the opportunity to take photos that aren't only in this 'snap shot' environment. If all you ever have is a kid as a subject (and this seems to be the case with so many here on DPS), it's going to be very difficult to not have issues with bright sun (main time the subject is available is daytime) or moving subjects that don't cooperate (ie kids!). It's just an unfortunate situation because it'll be difficult to improve while working with these constraints.

And sure, go ahead and upload the other one here, I don't think it violates anything.

Originally Posted by dannyrich

Totally agree, im a big fan of negative space too.

Not sure how centering her image would have created negative space... or did you mean to quote and agree with something else?

[dannyrich]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Well this is the problem isn't it.. you have to give yourself the opportunity to take photos that aren't only in this 'snap shot' environment. If all you ever have is a kid as a subject (and this seems to be the case with so many here on DPS), it's going to be very difficult to not have issues with bright sun (main time the subject is available is daytime) or moving subjects that don't cooperate (ie kids!). It's just an unfortunate situation because it'll be difficult to improve while working with these constraints.

And sure, go ahead and upload the other one here, I don't think it violates anything.


Not sure how centering her image would have created negative space... or did you mean to quote and agree with something else?

Misquote, didnt spot that part! I was referring to the initial post but agreeing to it being a good first post and requiring a bit of brightness.

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by dannyrich

Misquote, didnt spot that part! I was referring to the initial post but agreeing to it being a good first post and requiring a bit of brightness.

Yeah, I figured.

[C_justlearning]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback... next time I won''t be so terrified!

Dannyrich - Thanks!n Just discovered negative space - thought it looked good! I considered the flash, but there wasn't a second opportunity to try it out. Will have to be quicker next time.

Guemene -

Bigfuzzy - I know, typical parent with no other subject matter! lol! No, I'm trying to get creative (its difficult for me) & take other shots. I think my camera is going to have to become attatched to me ... I see photo opportunities everywhere all of a sudden! I'm also trying to practise some macro shots on the flowers in the garden (booooooorrrrring, I know, but its practise!)
I get rid of the kids 3x a week (to school) so may start wandering around town/ the beach & try be creative.

Here's my other pic ... better exposed?