child and tree

[tweet25]

Pentax Kr
F/8
exp. 1/180 sec
focal lengh 23mm
iso 200


Brand new here - this photo is unedited.

I am trying to learn and I read like crazy and shoot shoot shoot. (and edit) If I understand the rule of thirds - this photo does not follow it, but I still think the shot is ok.
but does the composition totally suck and I just can't see it? any feedback would help. (PS anybody have a Pentax Kr and can help me change my setting to 100 ISO?)

[lerabu]

Hi!

I think this is a nice and cute scene. Being a parent of a small kid I understand what it is like to revel in the joys that Christmas brings to the little ones

Some tips on what I would have done (which doesn't mean it is the correct way of doing things as photography is a subjective discipline, as all art is by definition )

- From a perspective point of view I would have gone lower and give a "frog eye-view" perspective to the whole scene and gone with a wide angle view, that way you give a more intimate view of the scene and it would give you more of the tree.
- From a lightening perspective, I don't know what kind of set-up your camera allows you, I would have gone with a higher ISO and a higher aperture, and longer shutter speed to let more ambient light in and then flash at the end of the exposure to set the details straight. In some cameras this is called "Night Mode" and in some "Slow Sync mode". The end result will be a much warmer picture.

I hope this helps!

[graciousness]

The use of 1/180 is overkill here, as this is indoors and you have to use the slowest shutter speed you can get away with, such as 1/90 at the minimum. Maybe pushing it to 1/125 but that's it as anything quicker, the photo will just get darker.

You needed to use an external flash with the light bounced off a wall or ceiling. The lighting here is so flat and not enough. You also needed to raise your ISO to get more light in. With your aperture selection, f/8 seems quite narrow for this shot. I understand that you are trying to get as much of the scene in, but at the end of the day, the main focus is your child. I would have used a much wider aperture like f/4 or even less.

The angle on this shot is taken from a higher perspective which is what most people do. With children, you really want to get down and be at their level. I would have also shot this closer, putting the child further away from the tree for more background separation.

I think that's all I could think of. It's hard to comment when the photo is an attachment and you can't refer back to it as you type. May I suggest embeding the photo in the post next time so that we can go back to the photo if needed whilst reply?

Cheers and keep shooting,

Grace

[bigben6]

Ill just reiterate, bounce flash or at least some diffusion, lower angle though i know thats not always an option, ISO bump might negate the need for flash use at all, smaller f stop, I would shoot as low as you can go indoors. Bounce flash....

[tweet25]

Thank you all for your imput. I was at a friends house with my granddaughter, and loved the tree, (and her little dress) it felt weird to get down too low. I do have an external flash, I will try and use it more. (I have found that the indoor shots have been way too white and bright with it and washed out) Maybe with the bounce off of the ceiling will help. I have been scared to up the ISO, but I will take all your advice and try again. thanks again

[bigben6]

Bounce flahs indoors is about the ONLY time i use my flash, its soul purpose in life is to bounce off the ceiling... amazing results...