distracting background?

[Lolkat]

I love this picture, but do you guys think the background distracts too much (I think I do, but I may be over analyzing) Would there be an effective way of minimizing the background that wouldn't make the picture look any worse?



Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 60 mm
ISO Speed 200

[ChrisAdval]

I don't really shoot children photography, but I don't mind it much, and if you don't have other similar shots without it... I'll use it...

[Doug Sundseth]

I think the background does detract. I think you could reduce that distraction by simplifying the edge of the canopy (?). Since the canopy is essentially pure white, it should be easy enough to clone or fill in the sculpted edge and make the shape simpler.

[graciousness]

It's not distracting to me due to the brightness is right behind the baby, which actually highlights the subjects. Mother's forehead is a little "hot" though which could be fixed in post processing.

Not a big fan of the b&w conversion though, as it seems more gray to me.

What a great moment to capture, though. You can forgive the blown out areas because the actual image is so sweet.

Cheers,

Grace

[BigFuzzy]

I'm torn on this image because the baby, being mostly dark, stands out well against the white sky. The mother, having very bright rim lighting stands out well against the dark backdrop.

However, the line between the sky and rooftops is very distracting to me.

Hmmm...

In the end, to me, it's a very nice shot for the family photo album. Is it something I would use to promote myself as a portrait photographer of families/babies...probably not.

As i always tell folks.. light and background are things you should be noticing before even lifting the camera to your eye.

[Doug Sundseth]

Why yes, that is a rooftop, isn't it.

Oops.

[soulmike 58]

Nice moment .

If there's one thing im becoming aware of its . . (assuming you know how to set the shot up with ISO W/B exposure etc ). . its take time to study the background i agree that the "line" of the rooftop is a bit distracting but doesnt detract to much. In future just consider the bit behind your subject

[Lolkat]

yeah, I agree with you guys about being aware of backgrounds, and usually that's something I kind of OCD about. but I just happened to catch the moment on the fly. Of course I could have asked her to hold her up again and gone around to the other side thanks for the replies!

[TNH]

I like this shot. Very sweet! I would like to see more of the mother's head, though, it seems like she's hardly in the picture.

I think that the background is distracting, to me at least. If you want to, you could soften the background with your photo editing program to make it less noticeable.

But overall, nice job! It's a really cute shot!