Bff's

[phantasm]

f/2.8
1/640
ISO 100

First time posting any of my photos, but I'd still like honest responses.

I'd like to know a few things:
- Is the background too distracting? I know red (in the balloons) distracts the eye, but I'm not sure how much that effects this photo.
-Should I crop in tighter on the subjects?

I'm trying to bring myself out of my comfort zone of urban landscapes and close portraits, and this definitely is different for me. Not sure if that's why I'm doubting this photo or not, but I'm looking forward to hearing what others think.

Thanks!

[MrJones]

I like this photo. the colors, the playing girls.. really nice!
but I do have 2 things for you:
1. straighten the picture or tilt it completely. right now it looks like it's tilted because of how you're holding your camera.
2. it's hard to tell at this size but it seems the focus is on the girl with the white sweatshirt. since she has her back to us, she's not really the story here. here you have two options: one, focus on the second girl's face and get the first one out of focus OR you can go for the better option which would be using a higher aperture value of about f/5.6 and get them both in focus! (you'll need to bump up your ISO to about 400).

again, it's a great shot which anyone in the family would love, but you've asked for a photographer view and we see more than the average guy

[Rentham]

I don't mind the background, the their heads aren't in clean spots. You might have been able to drop down to a lower angle and put their heads within the shapes created by the balloons.

[phantasm]

@MrJones: Now that you mention it, I do see it tilting to the left a little. I agree that the wrong girl is in focus, I saw that right after I shot it unfortunately. Still getting used to my new prime lens and finding the right f stop for the lighting conditions. I think I'm about half way used to it.

@Rentham: Yes I definitely would have liked to get a little lower and maybe get the people in the background in a different spot than they are now. Or get closer to both of the subjects perhaps.

Thank you both for your replies.