Any tips to improve?

[mastahac18]

This shot is straight from my camera. I just got the camera like a month ago and it's my first time using a dSLR. Any tips and positive criticisms will be highly appreciated. Thanks guys!


Shot with Nikon D3000 in Manual mode
Shutter: 1/3200
Aperture: f2.2
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 35mm
Exposure Bias: 0

[mastahac18]

Hey friends! as I was just looking at this picture after I posted it, I noticed couple things that could be improved.
1. I think the saturation and contrast is a little high
2. The face of my daughter is too bright
3. and the WB is off
What do ya'll think?

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by mastahac18

Hey friends! as I was just looking at this picture after I posted it, I noticed couple things that could be improved.
1. I think the saturation and contrast is a little high
2. The face of my daughter is too bright
3. and the WB is off
What do ya'll think?

First of all, good for you for giving self-critique. Learning to see our photos objectively is half the battle in improving!

1. Actually, I think it's fine. I haven't officially checked, but your blacks look a little clipped, but for the most part it's really not bad at all. The colors are vibrant without looking nuclear. I'm guessing you shot in JPG and not RAW. The camera does its own bit of processing when you shoot in JPG, and what you're seeing here has added color, contrast, and sharpness vs what a RAW file would.
2. Yes, there is a blown out area on your baby's face. Full, bright sun is hard to shoot in.
3. WB actually looks good to me. The colors seem natural.

I think this is a really cute photo. Kudos to you for shooting in manual while using a DSLR for the first time!

[High_Speed]

Originally Posted by mastahac18

Hey friends! as I was just looking at this picture after I posted it, I noticed couple things that could be improved.
1. I think the saturation and contrast is a little high
2. The face of my daughter is too bright
3. and the WB is off
What do ya'll think?

Wait...is that you in the photo, or did you stop some stranger on the street and ask, "Excuse me, can you wear my baby on your back while I practice my photography skills?" - Obviously, I'm just poking a little humourus fun here and am in no way trying to insult you in anyway.

Anyway, to the picture:
1. Actually, I think this looks just fine! It pops without looking oversaturated.
2. It is a little blown out, but for the bright conditions, I think you did great! Don't worry about it!
3. Looks natural to me! I think you're being over sensitive with yourself.

Final note: I think you did amazing for a first timer!

[mastahac18]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

First of all, good for you for giving self-critique. Learning to see our photos objectively is half the battle in improving!

1. Actually, I think it's fine. I haven't officially checked, but your blacks look a little clipped, but for the most part it's really not bad at all. The colors are vibrant without looking nuclear. I'm guessing you shot in JPG and not RAW. The camera does its own bit of processing when you shoot in JPG, and what you're seeing here has added color, contrast, and sharpness vs what a RAW file would.
2. Yes, there is a blown out area on your baby's face. Full, bright sun is hard to shoot in.
3. WB actually looks good to me. The colors seem natural.

I think this is a really cute photo. Kudos to you for shooting in manual while using a DSLR for the first time!

Thanks for the tips Susan. Umm... What do you mean by "blacks look a little clipped. I'm sorry, I'm new at this photography thing and I still need to learn the terms and such. But thank you so much for the kind words though.

[mastahac18]

Originally Posted by High_Speed

Wait...is that you in the photo, or did you stop some stranger on the street and ask, "Excuse me, can you wear my baby on your back while I practice my photography skills?" - Obviously, I'm just poking a little humourus fun here and am in no way trying to insult you in anyway.

Anyway, to the picture:
1. Actually, I think this looks just fine! It pops without looking oversaturated.
2. It is a little blown out, but for the bright conditions, I think you did great! Don't worry about it!
3. Looks natural to me! I think you're being over sensitive with yourself.

Final note: I think you did amazing for a first timer!

No sir/ma'am, fortunately that is my lovely wife, hehehe. Anyway, thank you for the kind words though. I appreciate it.

[roostabunny]

I think it looks really good. And I'll echo the props for shooting in manual, shows you want to learn the craft, and a good way to do it.

I agree with the others that the color looks really good, no issue there. I would consider cropping a little to both bring your wife a little more off-center in the frame and also to remove the leaves in the top right corner. I actually like the way the leaves work in the composition and I especially like that you can see the top edge of that cloud in the upper left, but both are visual interest where you don't want it. You want the focus on your baby, and I think cropping the right and top edges to get clean sky would really bring the focus to your daughter.

"Clipped blacks" refers to lost detail (shades of black) in the shadows. At the other extreme, "blown highlights" refers to lost detail (shades of white) in the highlights. So your exposure here was challenging. The direct overhead sun is a very high-contrast light, and, personally, I thought you compromised pretty well to get what you got given the bright highlights and black hair and sweater.

[High_Speed]

Originally Posted by mastahac18

No sir/ma'am, fortunately that is my lovely wife, hehehe. Anyway, thank you for the kind words though. I appreciate it.

Oh, that makes tons more sense. I don't know why I just assumed you as a female. Shew, sometimes I hate conversing through pure text. Dang you Ninternet! lol

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by mastahac18

Thanks for the tips Susan. Umm... What do you mean by "blacks look a little clipped. I'm sorry, I'm new at this photography thing and I still need to learn the terms and such. But thank you so much for the kind words though.

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by roostabunny

"Clipped blacks" refers to lost detail (shades of black) in the shadows. At the other extreme, "blown highlights" refers to lost detail (shades of white) in the highlights. So your exposure here was challenging. The direct overhead sun is a very high-contrast light, and, personally, I thought you compromised pretty well to get what you got given the bright highlights and black hair and sweater.

Perfect answer - thank you for the detailed response!