Girl Looking Out Window - Senior Photo

[pkd14u]

OK. I would like critique please on:
Composition - is there any aspect that does not work?
Crop - should I tighten the crop at all?
Black and white conversion - how I could improve it.
and Facial expression - should I have asked for a less happy/hopeful look?


Kaylie-Johnson-Senior-Photo-18 by pkd14u, on Flickr

EXIF:
Camera: Canon 350D
Date: 9/1/2011
Shutter Speed: 1/5 sec
Exposure: Manual
F-Stop: f/5.6
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 90.0mm
Lens: Canon 28-135 IS
Flash: Did not fire, strobe bounced off ceiling

Thank You!

[Matthias099]

Couple things that come to mind . . . .

I think I would have liked to see her hand in the picture, its kind of weird for me to have it cut of there.

Also pay attention to how the lines in the window match up with her face/mouth. It seems like something coming out of her mouth.

Otherwise I like the crop and the b/w. Nicely done.

[pkd14u]

Yep. The missing hand is what is bothering me, I didn't want to say it outright to see it bothered anyone else. I think I'll try a tighter crop to see if that helps.

I hadn't even noticed the lines right at her mouth. Hmm. I don't think that detracts too much, but is definitely something to watch for in future shoots.

Thank you so much for your critique.

[pkd14u]

Does the crop help?


Kaylie-Johnson-Senior-Photo-18-Crop by pkd14u, on Flickr

[Hill Country Hack]

The second crop is much better. TFS

[pkd14u]

I did one final crop and replaced the first cropped image on my Flickr account with the new one. So, here it is, with a slight clockwise rotation.

Kaylie-Johnson-Senior-Photo-18-Crop by pkd14u, on Flickr

[subsonic]

First of, pretty nice picture!

I think that latest crop does work better - more effective regarding her arm for sure.

Ideally, her face (mouth and nose) could have been centred more in the gap between window sections, instead of lined right up with that bar, but I probably would have never noticed that while shooting either.

The way her hair is arranged is very effective and flows nicely with the rest of the geometry in the photo. In terms of expression, she looks slightly amused or ironic about something, which is cute, but a neutral expression would also work in a "gazing out the window" scenario.

Really though, those are minor and it is a nice portrait - TFS!

[pkd14u]

Thank you for your comments subsonic.

All the comments really help me develop my eye as I'm shooting so I have more photos that I like with less PP.

Thanks!
Cathy

[tjh1023]

Like the second crop better like the rest the hand thing . Something I use to figure crops is you want to crop at the major joints, knees, hips, elbow, shoulder all bigger joints on the body. TFS I really enjoy B&W photos.

Tim

[pkd14u]

tjh, would the crop have been better if it was at the joint? I guess I'll try it and see how it feels.