how did I do

[Lori Hill]

Took my niece out to do photos today, I think they turned out pretty well but would like to know if they really did.

Camera Nikon D7000
Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture f/6.3
Focal Length 45 mm
ISO Speed 100

the whole set is is on my flicker

I tried to remember everything I've been learning - pay attention to the lighting, rule of thirds, flash for fill , keep eyes as the focal point. Not sure if I should do any photoshop on them or not, I kinda like things natural.

[Rentham]

I'm curious why you chose f/6.3 here. The background is a bit messy, so it might have been better to go with a shallow depth of field here. The light also looks like its come from on-axis. Where you lighting straight on from the camera? I see you have an SB-900. Move that sucker around to get some interesting depth and shadow.

If your lens is limiting you on shallow DOF, I'd go the other direction and crank the SB900 up to the higher power ranges. It looks like you had some decent clouds to work with (like in the flickr pic #21). If you bring that light in close at higher power and stop down your aperture you can knock the sky down a few stops and get it looking pretty dramatic.

[Lori Hill]

I did the 6.3 because I was afraid if I did too much it would look fake, but I'll go shallower next time. And ok get the flash off the camera, move it around and juice up the power( back to the manual I go LOL)
Thanks for your input

[Rentham]

What do you mean look fake?

[Peggyjom]

I like the poses you used, I see the wind was blowing not always a photographers friend but your nieces hair react well to it. I would be pleased to have these. As well as getting some good suggestions on how to improve!

[Bruce A]

Very nice shot Lori! I'm no pro, but looking at the photo everything Rentham says would be spot on advice. It's definitely in need of more contrast imo.

[Lori Hill]

Originally Posted by Rentham

What do you mean look fake?

Sometimes I see photos where the blur is so strong that it looks like the person was photo shopped on top....and I was afraid of that happening.I didn't want to lose the water and the trees. I looked back at some of the other photos that do have a shallower depth and they do look better though. I'll remember that for next time.

[sk66]

You did pretty well. I looked at the set and I think there are others that are better than this one (i.e. #9).
In this one the flash is about 1/2 stop hot and her color is a bit red.

Usually, when the BG looks "fake" it has been manipulated in post.

[chalkie7]

Hi Lori...here's my take on this shot, for what it's worth. The pose / crop does not work for me I'm afraid...it looks like your niece is missing her left arm and you've cropped / not included her right arm in the shot. I agree with the previous posts regarding DOF too...I'm sure it would work much better around 2.8 or so. Have a play with the contrast...I'm sure this shot can pop more with a few tweaks here and there. You have a lovely model there, and if she's willing, go for it one more time...and have fun! Cheers, Mark

[JFSanders]

Pretty good Lori! She is a bit pink in skintone. Was your WB set for auto or cloudy? It could be just her skin adjusting to seeing sunshine for the first time this year. Just kidding. A blurred background in a portrait shot is a good thing. Just remember that as you open up the f/stop to adjust your shutter speed or add a ND filter so you don't blow out the highlights. And by all means move the flash off the top of the camera if you can. Were you using a tripod? If so you can hold the flash in your left hand high or if you want to expand your lighting kit you can go with a light stand and a remote trigger setup. If you were shooting in fill flash then you were set at ttl-bl right? Set your camera to rear curtain flash so that the camera can balance the ambient light with the flash and create the shadows to give her face three dimensions. Jim