Cute Girl's Portrait

[Hussein Moussa]

Hello everyone...
I'm still somehow new to portrait photography..
I took this portrait using simple lightning techniques - homemade techniques.
It was impossible to use an Iso below 1600, but thanks to my D90 for these results despite using a high Iso..
I just want some tips, lightning critique..how can I make it better..what do you think about this portrait...
Your critique makes me better..

Here is a flickr link (to see large size):Press the thumbnail





Exposure 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 105 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Flash No Flash

[justin_ing]

Really like this image, but it would have been nicer with a little more negative space / black around her. I would do a little more on the Rule of 3rds on this one too...

[BigFuzzy]

Hi there, I know I'm going to sound a bit rough, but there are some simple things that I think you can do to make sure you improve as is your wishes.

The thing that jumped out at me is that the most prominent and relevant part of the image simply aren't in focus: her eyes.
Make sure you use either manual focus, or learn to focus lock and recompose so that you get the eyes in focus not her nose.

Also, agree with justin that the composition is too centered and the crop is a bit tight. I would like to see more space in the direction she's looking.

Also, the arms/hands just don't seem to help the image to me. I get it that she's leaning on her arm looking at stuff, but I'd much rather see more of her face if you're going show so little of her arm.

Also, it's never considered a good idea to use straight-on pop-up flash. It flattens both your subject and the colors. I understand the conditions were tough, but still. Find some way to bounce or diffuse your pop-up flash.

Lastly, tone done your usage of vignetting. I find that when an effect actually becomes a distinct element of the image instead of simply enhancing/focusing the subject, it's gone too far. I love vignetting, but use it only to very slightly point the viewer to what you want... the vignetting here is something I immediately noticed which drew me away from the subject.

Inn the end, I can understand how it's nice to you because it's your family, but to me, an outside viewer, it's not much more than a snap shot that you tried to save with some pretty heavy handed PP work.