Need honest critique of this image...thank you.

[MissDonnaLee]

Exposure Time: 1/320 sec
F-Number: f/5.0
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed: 500
Light Source: off camera sb600 speedlight
Focal Length: 35.00 mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Auto Flash Mode: Built-in,Comdr. TTL
Lens Range: 35.0 mm; f/1.8
Nikon D7000

[RichardTaylor]

The thing that immediatly grabs my attention is that his shadow on the front of her face is very unflattering to her.

[autofocus]

ditto on what Richard said above, plus cutting off hands, or at the wrong places on arms and legs is always a problem for me. On a positive note, I do like the lighting, and the colors/tones

[graciousness]

Plus 1 on what everyone else said above (and they are fabulous people here in DPS, by the way).

I do like the way that you have compensated for the background and underexposed it, however, I think it was underexposed a little too much. You look at the photo and the use of flash is the first thing that is very noticeable with this image. I think it would have worked better if the background was lighter to bring balance with your flashed subjects. Even at 1/250, a minor adjustment, it would have worked better (and still maintaining the nice golden colours of the horizon).

The faces aren't quite sharp enough for me, I don't know why. I think it's because his shirt is a little shiny and the flash falls mostly on it, whilst their faces are a little underexposed.

Sweet moment, though and great attempt at this! Just needs some tweaking.

Cheers and keep posting!

Grace

[Ridgetop]

One other suggestion for those evening shots. Get some gel covers for your speedlight (pretty inexpensive) to bring the light closer to the background. A slight warming gel for this shot would have really helped the skin tones glow with that nice background.

[MissDonnaLee]

Thank you SO much for your input. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[windrider86]

Please take a moment of your time and review the critique sections rules. We do ask that you include certain info in your posts, and that info will be found in the link above. Thank you in advance for reading them and editing your post!

[MissDonnaLee]

Originally Posted by windrider86

Please take a moment of your time and review the critique sections rules. We do ask that you include certain info in your posts, and that info will be found in the link above. Thank you in advance for reading them and editing your post!

My camera and EXIF info was included at the bottom of the photo...did I miss something? I will gladly edit my post if you can let me know what I need to change. Thanks.

[graciousness]

Neah, you don't need to repost.

What Windrider was after is details of what it is you want to be critiqued on. Being specific with your questions instead of the general, "what do you think?."

By being specific with what you wanted critique on, it forces you to analyse your own photo (as part of learning process) and it helps people to concentrate on the areas that you wanted help on.

If you read the critique forum rules, it asks to be specific.

Cheers,

Grace

[windrider86]

Gracious- Thank you, thats exactly what I meant!