Christmas Morning

[SampsonImages]

I took this Christmas morning while the kids opened the presents from Santa. I love it, but I was wondering, what would you do to to make this picture better? From composition to post processing. Thanks.


Hailey by Sampson Images, on Flickr

Canon EOS T3
Exposure - 1/30
Aperture - f/4.6
Focal Length - 29mm
ISO - 800
Manual Mode

[wulf]

Two things come to mind:

1. Turn down that flash (although the idea of using some extra light to make the main subject stand out isn't a bad one)

2. Think about what is in the background. The other person and Christmas tree are good because they give some context but a different angle might have avoided the large window area, which is featureless, over exposed and bright enough to distract even despite the results of the flash mentioned above).

Wulf

[SwissJon]

I think first, I'd straighten the image so the edge of the window frame is parallel with the edge of the frame. Perhaps crop a little from the left hand edge and the top so that her eyes are closer to the 1/3rd marks, rather than half way up. The window behind her is distracting, so I'd want to crop as much of it out as possible. Personally I find the person in the background quite distracting, so I'd consider a different crop to cut her out, but leave the tree to give a sense of place and time.

Then I think I'd reduce the exposure on her face, not sure if I'd reduce the overall exposure of the photo, or just increase the recovery slider to pull back the highlights, or even use the dodge/burn brush to take her face down a tad.

Finally I think I'd adjust the white balance so that the colours are more natural.

[ssssnake529]

I would have moved back and used a slightly longer lens. I think the subject would look better with the perspective of a longer lens and greater distance.

I also agree with the exposure/composition comments of the previous folks.

[SampsonImages]

Thank you, this helps me a lot. It wasn't a set up shot, I just happened to be sitting there when she leaned up and I told her to look at me. I haven't done many portraits so I will definitely have to put the advice into my work. I have noticed that when I try to do portraits I look more at the subjects face and not the surroundings as much. I am going to try a re-edit and see what I can come up with.

Again I appreciate it.

Just starting out I only have the lens that came with the camera, I figured I should master it before spending a lot more money on other lenses, although I like doing wildlife pictures so maybe a zoom lens.

[SampsonImages]

I did a little more editing to it. The window is my mortal enemy with this photo.


Hailey 2011 by Sampson Images, on Flickr

[SwissJon]

I like this a lot more.. But you've still got her eyes half way up the image. You could perhaps include a little more of her neck, which would help to raise her eyes towards the 1/3rd mark, but I like the placement horizontally. The window isn't such an issue now you've cut the majority of it out, it doesn't draw the eye, it just serves to give highlights to her hair, which is nice.

You could also reduce the brighness still further and increase the contrast to add a bit more detail on her face, it's still a little too bright for my tastes. And I suggest you adjust the colour temperature to something slightly cooler, and then boost the colour saturation and vibrance.. This will boost the colour of her blue eyes and add a little more natural pigment to her skin, which were washed out by the flash.

[wulf]

Definitely better with the crop. I'm not as concerned as Jon about the position of the eyes. With a balance of about 50/50 head and background putting the eyes about 50% of the way up the frame works okay.

However, getting in this close does reveal the limits of the depth of field. Her eyes and hair are sharp but the end of her nose is soft and her mouth is getting into that fuzzy zone. You might be getting towards the point where it is time to move onto another picture with lessons learned for next time you have your camera out.

Wulf

[SampsonImages]

I appreciate the feed back. I have another one from the other day I'm playing with right now. Maybe I'll post it later to see what ya think. Thanks again.