Not sure to include this in the photo session...

[fofazoju]

So for some reason I like this photo even though it has its downfalls. I haven't done much editing besides brightened it up a bit.

I like the parents in the background and the little girl, but the little boy I am not loving so much.

Is this a throw away? Am I trying too hard to like it even though it really isn't good?

THanks!

1/250 sec
F 5.6
ISO 200

[kcoppock]

I'd say definitely pass on it. It's out of focus and blurred, and there's a lot of blowout in the sky. Hope that doesn't come off as harsh.

[BigFuzzy]

On the one hand, thinking as a photographer, I'd say trash it, mostly because it's blurry.

Thinking of it from the parents perspective, hmmm..they might love it. It seems to have lots of the kids personality, and it's candid and they're in it.

When you say "include it in the session" what do you mean actually?
If you mean including it as a proof for them to choose, I'd say include it and let them decide.
If it's part of a "I'll give you x prints on a disk" sort of thing, I'd included it.

Unless it takes away from something else you've promised or you think it really lowers the bar on the whole set, include it. There's definitely something there. I for one like the blown out part.. feels warm and summery.

I mean, you've already done the work, why not? Not like you'll have to re-do it.

But still, the answer could be better if you were a bit more specific about what you mean by "include this in the photo session" since technically the 'photo session' already took place.

[fofazoju]

Kcoppock - No not harsh I like the blown out sky and the blurry aspect of it UNTIL I look at the little boy. I think if the little boy either wasn't as blurry or wasn't in it I would like it. But yeah, he is bothering me

BigFuzzy - When I say "include it in the session" I mean on the CD I am giving it to them. They are good friends so I am giving them the CD of all edited images at a discount. So yeah, I agree, the work IS done and if they like it then cool - but I don't want it to alter the credibility of me as a decent photographer haha

Hmm still not sure. I'll probably toss it.....so sad.

ANy tips on how I could have gotten it less blurry?

[BigFuzzy]

Honestly, I'd keep it. One photo of (what I presume is) many won't kill your cred if the rest are kick-ass enough. Especially for friends since you can explain why you kept the image since there's more room to be honest/forward with friends that aren't simple clients.

As for making it less blurry. Seeing the 1/250th shutter speed, I'm thinking this is related to some serious camera movement on your part. I'm guessing you were moving a lot right before you took this trying to capture this moment? If so, the answer is pretty simple.. make sure you're as stable as possible in these conditions since 1/250th should normally be enough. Especially when looking at the boy who's clearly not moving very fast yet he's still blurry.

[fofazoju]

Well I'll consider keeping it then Thanks Bigfuzzy.

Hmm I probably was moving back a bit since I was on my knees and they were running towards me and I wanted to back up. I'm guessing that's what it was.

I really want a shot like this! (sun background, mom and dad looking onto kids playing) Ah well, next time!

Thanks for input

[roostabunny]

I love it for what it could have been.

The lighting, summery "feel" (mostly due to the lighting), and composition are all really interesting, and the parents in the background look great.

But the combination of:
1.) the kids being out of focus
2.) only one of them looking at the camera (neither or both I might have been OK with)
Makes it tough.

I sympathize with you. If it were mine I would probably spend some time wishing it were different, or that I'd tried to shoot it a couple more times. Happens all the time.

As for whether to include it, I think it depends on the parents. Will they experience the same sense of regret, wishing they had the shot this could have been. Or will they say, wow, that's cool? If there's going to be regret, then don't include it, dealing with that emotion after a shoot is the photographer's job.

And for doing things differently, the only thing I can think is possibly your focus mode. With a shallow DOF and a moving subject I would want to be in AI Servo mode, which tracks the subject. That's a Canon term, not sure what to call it is you're shooting Nikon, others here will know, though. Anyway, you might have been in that mode already, but just a thought.