some constructive criticism please!

[nitrowigie]

Hi everyone
This shot was taken at a holiday apartment in gold coast, i'm quiete happy with it but would love for you guys to give some constructive criticism, just so that i can keep moving forward in my photography. (she is pregnant so i guess i probably should have had her turned a bit so you can see the baby bump)

this shot was taken at ISO 100.
f/4.0 at 1/25th second, with a panasonic gf1.

[BigFuzzy]

Please take this as constructive as it's my intent.
But in the end this feels like just a snapshot because not much thought went into this (it seems).
I say this because the angle isn't flattering (double chin, doesn't show belly, etc).

Also, the crop is really tight.. cut off her leg and feet at odd/awkward points. Her elbow is too close to edge.. in general it's too tight a crop for me. Why such a tight, unconventional ratio of crop?

The water bottle also a give away that it was a quickie snap shot to me.

Also, there is little detail in the darks of this iamge and I'd like to actually see her left eye. A reflector on camera right to the side of the subject would have helped a lot.


The best advice I can give to keep your photography moving forward is to really start thinking about your images. Looking back on all your recent posts, there are nice ideas starting off there, but it doesn't seem a lot of thought goes into it besides "yeah, nice *click*!.

Spend some time thinking of the basics of composition, especially when dealing with how the main and secondary elements interact in the scene.

I always advise those starting out to think to themselves how they can make the image different. Discard the first few thoughts you have about composition because (as a newb) it's likely your first few thoughts are going to be pretty simple and something everyone else with a camera is doing. Really think of the elements in your image and how they add/detract from the image.

Keep posting!

[nitrowigie]

Thanks bigfuzzy, your constructive criticism means a lot to me and i will take it on board, it is true that this picture was simply a snapshot and nothing more, i would love to get into lighting etc etc, but for now i just want to get the basics down.
I am a passionate photographer and photography really is something i want to pursue and persevere with, so when i say that your constructive criticism means a lot... i really mean it.
thanks a bunch, would love to keep in contact and get more input from you.
cheers.

[BigFuzzy]

You're welcome.. I'll be here a lot, so post away, me and others will be happy to comment though if there's something you really want input on, feel free to drop me a PM.

[Margie22]

BigFuzzy, thanks for that critique! I'm still fairly new and have done a few classes and workshops but I think that advice is fundamental and thus should be heard over and over again. Thanks so much!

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by Margie22

BigFuzzy, thanks for that critique! I'm still fairly new and have done a few classes and workshops but I think that advice is fundamental and thus should be heard over and over again. Thanks so much!

I'm on a roll! Helped two people in one post..
I'll be here all week folks, tip your waitresses!