Baby Girl- Composition, light/colour and general improvement suggestions requested

[Matthew_Scullion]

Took this shot of my daughter at the weekend. I think I really like it but worried that I am not looking at it objectively.



Critique requested on composition/crop/colour/light as well as your general opinion of the photo would be appreciated.

Details: Nikon D200, Nikkor 50mm, Aperture Priority f/1.6, SB-900 flash (mounted on camera, TTL, bounced off ceiling and through a diffuser). Post-prod in NX2 and Nik Software Color Efex Pro: crop, curves, dodge and burn.

Many thanks in advance.

[mc1979]

Hi Matthew, what a beautiful baby girl you have! What a delight for me it would be to have a baby around all the time to photograph!

The main problem I see with this is the composition. I'm no expert on flash, but I think the lighting is great here. You've got catchlights in her eyes, looks very soft and evenly diffused IMO. I think your WB could be a little off to, the overall pic has a more yellow tone to it.

Now as far as the composition, is this photo about your daughter's toys, or her? Because she's kinda lost in there. The toy gym in the background is very distracting, as is the toy in the foreground that is OOF. I like how your daughter is in focus between these 2 toys, and that might have been what you were going for..but it all takes away from her, and I'm pretty sure she is meant to be the subject

Just watch your background and foreground,

Hope this is what you were looking for..and that I helped in some way.

[Rentham]

The composition doesn't bother me, really. It gives the image context and some depth. The toys are a little distracting, but I don't think she gets lost. Plus her expression overcomes any other challenges the shot may have. Nice job.

[eephie]

I love the composition, love the lighting even the catchlights.

The toys are all good except that little one in the foreground. That's the only thing that doesn't work for me in this photo. Great job, not over or under exposed.

[samutsim]

What an adorable little face!! You have done a great job capturing her cuteness! IMHO, the toy in the foreground is distracting and her hands seem to be lost and maybe you could cool it down just a tiny bit. Other than that, everything else seems great!