Black and White critque (first time posting!)

[Melissa123]

Good morning, everyone! I'm very new to photography and I was just hoping to get some feedback. I took the below picture of my daughter one morning while baking bread and this one picture really struck me. I don't know what it is about it that I really like, but I always stop and stare. On the other hand, I feel like there's something just not right about it; maybe the large bright area from the window?

I would really appreciate some feedback. My family won't tell me the negatives but I really want to learn from my mistakes. Thank you in advance!

[Melissa123]

Opps, I forgot my camera's information

Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
50mm
f/2.5
1/80 sec
ISO 400

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by Melissa123

maybe the large bright area from the window?

You had the right idea with using window light, but yeah, including the actual window in the frame is a problem. The eye usually goes to the brightest or sharpest area of the photo. So your daughter is receding into the the background while the window is popping to the fore.

[Sweetlifephoto]

It is a good image but I agree that moving to your right and getting that great light on her face while minimizing or eliminating the window would be a stronger composition. I think a tighter crop and and a dark vignette would actually help focus the eye onto the subject and improve the current image. Try it and see what you think.

[Hill Country Hack]

Other than the distracting window I like the composition. It may just be me, but her face seems just a bit softer than her chest. Where was your point of focus? For portrait shots the primary focus point should be the eyes.

Keep at it and keep posting.

[Zeke Menuar]

I like it.

Crop some of the window and the out of focus stuff on the right side and it will look fine.

[Melissa123]

Thank you all for the critques. I took your suggestions about the cropping and vignette. I see that it does make a better portrait but with all the baking ingredients being cropped out, it kind of ruins the picture for me. I wish I had moved to the right more. Oh well, next time I'll know what to do. Thank you all again!

[ElectroChris]

I understand the concept of the brightest thing in the shot taking your eyes - but I really like the composition of the original. My eyes went straight to the young girl. Nothing else in the shot is in focus. And in your picture - you are telling a story - so the ingredients need to be a part of the story. My amateur .02 worth....

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by ElectroChris

I understand the concept of the brightest thing in the shot taking your eyes - but I really like the composition of the original. My eyes went straight to the young girl. Nothing else in the shot is in focus. And in your picture - you are telling a story - so the ingredients need to be a part of the story. My amateur .02 worth....

This is the great thing about opinions. You don't have to be a pro to have one. Only you know what you like. I happen to agree with yours for the most part. The only crop I would do is a little off the left. The plastic water bottle is out of focus, but it is still a distraction to me. I think this would strengthen the composition even more.