How can I improve? Please give honest opinions on composition, lighting, etc.

[Matt McCord]

Nikon D3100
Aperture priority f/5.6
1/80 sec
ISO 400

This is one of the first photos I took with my new camera, about a month ago. Since I got it, I have found a new passion in photography. I believe this is one of my pest pictures, although my post-production skills are probably very sub par. So please give honest opinions on what I can do to improve aspects of my photography. Thank you.

[dave.turley]

Hi,
It's daunting, and you wonder how you can ever get close to some of the shots you see from others. It's sort of about some basic rules, learning them and then bending and breaking them.
Here's a link to a good blog that explains stuff like the rule of thirds, the application of which would immediately improve your picture to the eye. I'm an amateur photographer and if I look back at some of my first photographs they are so far removed from what I take now.
Practice lots...Take hundreds of photos (throw enough darts and eventually you hit some bullseyes)..Learn how your camera works and how light affects things. In other words, read and watch tutorials and post in places like this for solid advice.
DPS is a friendly place with some amazingly talented photograhers so use them as a resource, I do.....You knew I was doing that didn't you guys?

[SGToliver]

I recommend spending $15 and buying this book
Amazon.com: Nikon D3100: From Snapshots to Great Shots (9780321754547): Jeff Revell: Books

Being a DLSR noob I purchased this book and had revelations.

As far as your photo is concerned it looks quite grey to me. try adjusting some of the basic settings on your camera, like:

changing to single-servo
turning off auto ISO
change to matrix or spot metering


those are just a few things I can think off off the top of my head

[Matt McCord]

Thanks for the link. Recently, I have changed to single auto point, and started shooting raw. I've even ventured into manual mode some. Thank you. I'll be posting more for critiquing and I'd appreciate any further comments you may have.

[inkista]

I like her expression. But the pose looks a little awkward--hunched forward, which conveys tension. The centered composition feels a little more static than it needs to be. Critical focus should be on the eyes, and it's a little bit off (compare her eyes with how sharp the neckline's in focus). The big white area in the background is actually what drew my eye first, so to me her face feels a little underexposed (so, yeah, watch the metering).

Also, you were probably lens-limited, but opening up the aperture to blur out the background a little more might help focus the viewer on your subject.

Good start, though. And the framing is good at cutting out distractions in the background.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by Matt McCord

Nikon D3100
Aperture priority f/5.6
1/80 sec
ISO 400

This is one of the first photos I took with my new camera, about a month ago. Since I got it, I have found a new passion in photography. I believe this is one of my pest pictures, although my post-production skills are probably very sub par. So please give honest opinions on what I can do to improve aspects of my photography. Thank you.

I would have shot it in manual to get more control of the shot. Do you have EXIF or know your lens info?

I would have blown out the background (out of focus) or gotten a tighter shot of the subject. Lower the shutter to 1/60th and lower the ISO to 200 maybe 300. If possible, I would have added actual fill light with a reflector or flash, or in post processing I would add some fill light.

[Matt McCord]

Originally Posted by inkista

I like her expression. But the pose looks a little awkward--hunched forward, which conveys tension. The centered composition feels a little more static than it needs to be. Critical focus should be on the eyes, and it's a little bit off (compare her eyes with how sharp the neckline's in focus). The big white area in the background is actually what drew my eye first, so to me her face feels a little underexposed (so, yeah, watch the metering).

Also, you were probably lens-limited, but opening up the aperture to blur out the background a little more might help focus the viewer on your subject.

Good start, though. And the framing is good at cutting out distractions in the background.

Thank you for the advice. This shot, however, was not posed at all. We were actually walking through the park at the time and I was just snapping photos of her randomly. Her expression is actually because she was laughing at me for being so wrapped up in my camera. I totally see what you're saying about her leaning forward though, I'll take that into account in the future. When you say critical focus, you mean that I need to make sure the focussing auto point is centered on her eyes? After taking another look at the photo I can totally see how her eyes are a little soft. I'm currently using the 18-55 kit lens. I'm saving for a faster lens.

[Matt McCord]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

I would have shot it in manual to get more control of the shot. Do you have EXIF or know your lens info?

I would have blown out the background (out of focus) or gotten a tighter shot of the subject. Lower the shutter to 1/60th and lower the ISO to 200 maybe 300. If possible, I would have added actual fill light with a reflector or flash, or in post processing I would add some fill light.

Thank you for the advice, it is greatly appreciated. The lens I'm using is the 18-55 kit lens for the Nikon D3100, so i'm kinda limited on some things. I've been slowly but steadily venturing into manual mode. What do you mean by EXIF? Also, I manly like to shoot low light, landscape/architecture, and some portraits. Can you recommend a relatively inexpensive wide angle? I'm looking into the 35mm f/1.8g and the 50mm f/1.8g.

[amalka]

Thank you Brian, I have had Nikon D3100 for few months now and still dont know how to use it... still have a long way ahead of me. Will read through the book and I think I may find some answers to my questions...

[amalka]

Matt, I like her smile and eyes...