What’s Your Preference?

devildogx2 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2011, 01:43 PM

Hello everyone. I'm new here and would really like to improve my photography, but think I need some critique to help get me there.

D5000 w/ 55-200 lens
Nikon SB-26 on camera bounced up to my right
F 5.0
1/320 sec ( yes, past my sync speed)
ISO 200
Edited a bit in Lightroom.

Specific questions, should I edit out the flag? Crop in portrait? (would have to cut off her hand on one side or elbow on the other) But also just need general critique.
This was a themed class an old car, motorcycles and the models dressed to fit the theme.

MrJones · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2011, 02:12 PM

you had a nice idea here but there are few things to fix:
first of all, it's underexposed. you exposed the sky correctly but lost your model in the process, leaving her underexposed. a bit more power to the flash and it would have worked better. you can still fix it with a brush in lightroom.
the flag - I think it actually adding to the picture, just wish you could see all of it. her outfit can work really good with the flag in the background.
one last thing, try cloning out the rail that she's sitting on, it's visible on the left. don't crop though, you'll lose her fingers.

it's a nice photo, a few tweaks and it will be great.

zona5101 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2011, 03:10 PM

I agree with Mr Jones's assessment. My additional comment would concern the choice of background. In the situation where is is a posed/set up shot you have control over what is in the background. Maybe that was the best you had but I would think with a little walking around you might have found something better and less busy. Even just the brick wall with no sky...as it is now there are lots of other lines and bright areas and intersections of things in the background that take away from the subject.

NicolaB · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2011, 05:10 PM

I also agree with the exposure and busy background. Your angle to the light is really nice giving all the definition of her features.

A couple of other observations:

The top of the building chops her up leaving her head and body 'separated' visually. It breaks the flow of your vision. I really like her strong pose.

imo the flag fights with your model for attention I would be tempted to crop tighter.

In summary, expose for your subject and watch the background

NEO_studios · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2011, 12:26 AM

I defenitely agree with the above comments. I feel you could of probably looked for a less busier background just because the trees kind of take away from the subject. I think the model was posed just fine with just a few minor adjustments like the bottom of her top exposing her skin..kind of distracting while looking at the subject (just a minor detail). I def feel the flash output needs to be bumped up a couple of stops. You can see some shadow on her left side of her body. I personaly would of probably used a diffuser or mini softbox on her to soften up her skin tone, yet fill in those shadow areas. Overall, i think its not at bad image at all. Good job!

JFSanders · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2011, 02:08 AM

She is a bit underexposed and yes, you could crop to portrait without losing either the elbow or hand. A different camera angle would have helped you with this shot. I did a edit on it to show what I think the shot is but like anything in photography it is what you want it to be.

Jim

autofocus · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2011, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFSanders

She is a bit underexposed and yes, you could crop to portrait without losing either the elbow or hand. A different camera angle would have helped you with this shot. I did a edit on it to show what I think the shot is but like anything in photography it is what you want it to be.

Jim

Much better composition Jim..I was about to do the same thing, but you beat me to it. I understand the connection of the flag and the uniform, but as stated above it competes with the subject too much

fais54 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2011, 03:00 AM

I think the colors look a lot better Jim, but I usually don't like the look of 'fake bokeh'. But, you have a great eye!

JFSanders · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2011, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autofocus

Much better composition Jim..I was about to do the same thing, but you beat me to it. I understand the connection of the flag and the uniform, but as stated above it competes with the subject too much

Thank you, I too thought that the flag, although worthy of placement in the scene was not in a good position to support the main subject as you had suggested earlier.

Jim