Family time

[jimmyl]

We were at friends engagement when I saw my wife and son looking cute so quickly took this shot. Composition, light, Focus, PP? The only way for me to learn is to be hit with it. But don't be to harsh ... :-)

550D
50mm f/1.8
Shutter: 1/250 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO 100
Flash: No
Mode: Shutter Priority

[KaVla]

'm a newbie so I'm just speaking from my personal view. I really like how you captured "the moment", but something is missing. I'm not sure if it's the background that's distracting my view or the lighting, but something is off for me. Very nice family shot.

[o.pulido]

Cute kid. Decent candid moment.

The composition isn’t terrible, but the background could be more out of focus for my taste—a little distracting with the background still fairly visible. If you would have backed up a little more, you would have achieved more bokeh.

The sickly yellow tinge—yuck. Play with the temperature slider and see if you could achieve more appealing colors. As it stands, aside from the colors being displeasing, it’s flat. Try adding some contrast to see if you could bring some life into this image. Also, the image looks soft. I think it may have been operator movement or maybe you captured the shot while the subjects were moving? If so, use a faster shutter speed, maybe 1/500th would have done the job.

Honestly, however, since it seems to me you missed the sharpness, in my opinion—its trash, sorry. Unless of course you intentionally introduce movement in you image; however, I don't think that was the case here. Try converting it to B&W and see what that turns out like.

I hope that helps you a little on the next shoot.

Good luck!

[graciousness]

It's not trash. I think the sharpness can be adjusted in post processing (if you haven't done it already). Looks like you just missed on focussing because you have used such narrow DOF. At f/1.8, you're playing with a very narrow area to focus and you have to be very still along with your subject to get the focus right. I don't think it's the shutter speed that is the issue.

I think you could have used a couple of stops above the f/stop to get better sharpness with your focussing and out of the lens.

In regards to colour, just adjust your WB in post processing. Basically, you want to add a little bit more blue for colour balance as it is a little bit yellow. Yuck is a bit strong of a word to have decribed it, though. It's not that bad.


So there, just have a play more with post processing with sharpness and WB and see what you get.

Cheers,

Grace

[jimmyl]

o.pulido, tough critic ha, ha, ha, however taken on board. Graciousness, thank you for input. As always your feedback is excellent. It was one of those moments where I couldn't help but take the shot. The lens is f/1.8 however I shot at f/2.8. I am trying to get used to the narrow DOF in relation to focus. It seems to be my biggest challenge right now. For post process, I have been trialling lightroom for the last week so am working through all the great features. I will back down the white balance and play with the sharpness as you mentioned. As for composition, I agree that the background is distracting and felt that at the time of the shot, however took compromise not to have the pole in my sons head. It appears to be the thing with candid shots. Take some practice. :-)

KaVla, I appreciate you take on the photo as well. Maybe we both learned something. :-)

I appriecate all of the feedback and will work on all that has been mentioned.

[graciousness]

Ah crap, I saw the f/1.8 and thought that it was the aperture used. That's what happens when you have a toddler on your lap screaming at you and trying to critique at the same time.

However, that's still a narrow DOF so yeah, tough focusing. When I got my macro 50mm at f2.5, I really struggled using it and getting the focus sharp. I managed to make it easier and use manual focussing. Much easier than the auto focus which is damn slow on the nifty fifties.

I'm wondering why you used shutter priority instead of AV? Most people use AV for these types of shots or Manual. Actually, P mode if you are dealing with children moving. It may help you better if you use AV so then you can see what shutter speed the camera thinks you should use. If you're not happy with the speed chosen, I would go and use manual. Since using manual, I'm much happier with the results than using AV or even P.

I'd also crop this photo and crop out the right side so that mama and baby are more to the right side. That will also help get rid of some of the background that is not doing much for the image, anyway. Good thinking with the pole to avoid it sticking out of their heads. In situations like this when you really haven't got any choice with backgrounds and shots are spontaneous, you do the best that you can do with the situation.

Cheers and keep shooting! At least it's not such a bad day out there today in our humble little city.

Cheers,

Grace

[jimmyl]

Ha, ha, ha, ha I know exactly how it feels, bub in one hand, mouse in the other. Thanks for the focus tip. I will flick to manual. I completely get what you mean about the slow auto focus. I've been playing with the different creative modes to get a better understanding of their uses and really trying to become familiar with the camera. I must admit that I was inspired by some posts and images on G+ and got a little over exited with the modes. Playing around is my excuse for Shutter Priority.

I've still got to play with the post process of this image after our last discussion. Unfortunately ended up at Sutherland Hospital with my 4 year old last night so was out of action. All good now.

I will try to process the image and include your suggestions. Thank again. BTW are you on G+.