Howdy Neighbors: A Child Portrait

[First Light]

I am having some more opportunities for practicing "lifestyle" portraiture. Here is another from this afternoon, when our horse neighbors arrived at the back fence. I would love C&C on composition, exposure (it was VERY sunny, but I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity), post processing and any other thoughts.



Exif data

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T3
Exposure 1/4000 sec
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 30 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

*I realized right after this shot that I hadn't changed my settings from the last thing I was shooting, and that my f-stop was way off, but I really liked the effect anyway!*

[Tito87]

I can't help but wander why you shot with ISO 3200, when you said that it was very sunny outside.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Tito87

I can't help but wander why you shot with ISO 3200, when you said that it was very sunny outside.

Ditto. ISO 3200 and 1/4000 is an odd combination.

[First Light]

Rookie mistake: I did not realize that my ISO was set that high. Can you please critique the image? Do you think that ISO ruined it? Do you like it/hate it, have any thoughts on composition, etc?

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by First Light

Rookie mistake: I did not realize that my ISO was set that high. Can you please critique the image? Do you think that ISO ruined it? Do you like it/hate it, have any thoughts on composition, etc?

I have no problem with the composition: how can I not like the little kid looking at the horses? I think it's adorable. What kills it, at least for me, is the overexposure.

[First Light]

I didn't feel that it was over exposed, I had actually brightened it in post. Here is another edit with the exposure clicked down a bit. Do you like it better?

[lillyanka]

I think the second one looks waaaay better, because on the first one the pasture was too blown out, which drew the eye away from the kid and the horses. Overall, the shot is very good!

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by First Light

I didn't feel that it was over exposed, I had actually brightened it in post. Here is another edit with the exposure clicked down a bit. Do you like it better?

Yes, I think it's a little better: now, I don't need my sunglasses to look at it. I have a question in my mind that's been nagging me: didn't you realize that something was out of whack when the light meter was giving you a reading of f/4.5 @ 1/4000?

[First Light]

Originally Posted by Tito87

Yes, I think it's a little better: now, I don't need my sunglasses to look at it. I have a question in my mind that's been nagging me: didn't you realize that something was out of whack when the light meter was giving you a reading of f/4.5 @ 1/4000?

Ummm...yeah, but I HAD to grab this shot!!! Four-year olds move FAST, dude! I just figured I would take my chances and hope for the best. I think I got a pretty good shot, considering.

After this one, changed the f-stop to 8, the ISO to 400 (should have been 200, I know, but I still got some GREAT shots!) and that made it where the light meter wasn't off the map.

[nicuRNmama]

I like the first image - it has kind of a dreamy feel to it. I have a 5 year old - totally understand the "get the shot first then check the settings for a second shot if she hasn't run off to something else yet."