Deep thinking??

[tsy72001]

Tell me what you think please, how can I make it better, and what I did correct.





File Name IMG_0858.JPG
Camera Model Canon EOS REBEL T3
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/160
Av( Aperture Value ) 9.0
ISO Speed 100
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm
White Balance Mode Daylight

[IABoomer]

First of all, I hope it's not the intent, but in my devious mind, I see the kind thinking about shooting the cow in the background. It's taking me doing some mental gymnastics to push that thought out of my head and analyze this image for what it is.

Having said the above, I do think the cow could be a little distracting. The boy's gaze is off to the right, but he's up against the right edge of the frame, which pushes the viewer's attention out of the image. This might work better if you stepped to the right and put him on the left side of the frame. A nice side effect would be this would get the cow out of the background.

The horizon line looks a little tilted, but maybe there's a hillside behind him and that's the lay of the land.

I think the barrel of the gun being just visible behind his head is good. If the end was hidden, it might look more awkward. You've done well to not place his eyes in the middle of the frame, either vertically or horizontally, which is good. I might leave just a bit more headroom and not flatten off the top of his head.

I think with this much sunlight, I'd like to see the tones a little warmer. There's some really bright areas on his right cheek and chin that come from that direct sunlight. Maybe a shutter closer to 1/200 or 1/250 might have toned down those highlights. You might try a little recovery if you've got Adobe Camera Raw/Lightroom to bring that back a little.

[tsy72001]

Thanks, no he is not shooting the cow, or thinking about it, ene though they would not move so he could target practice. 8-) Thanks for your comments, I am new to all this and trying to learn. And we where on a hill.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by IABoomer

First of all, I hope it's not the intent, but in my devious mind, I see the kind thinking about shooting the cow in the background. It's taking me doing some mental gymnastics to push that thought out of my head and analyze this image for what it is.

Having said the above, I do think the cow could be a little distracting. The boy's gaze is off to the right, but he's up against the right edge of the frame, which pushes the viewer's attention out of the image. This might work better if you stepped to the right and put him on the left side of the frame. A nice side effect would be this would get the cow out of the background.

The horizon line looks a little tilted, but maybe there's a hillside behind him and that's the lay of the land.

I think the barrel of the gun being just visible behind his head is good. If the end was hidden, it might look more awkward. You've done well to not place his eyes in the middle of the frame, either vertically or horizontally, which is good. I might leave just a bit more headroom and not flatten off the top of his head.

I think with this much sunlight, I'd like to see the tones a little warmer. There's some really bright areas on his right cheek and chin that come from that direct sunlight. Maybe a shutter closer to 1/200 or 1/250 might have toned down those highlights. You might try a little recovery if you've got Adobe Camera Raw/Lightroom to bring that back a little.

LOL! This made me spit my afternoon coffee! Thanks for that!
Other than what Boomer already stated very well, from a purely technical standpoint, his eyes are a little out of focus. It looks like the majority of the focus fell on the gun barrel. In most cases for portraits, you want the eyes to be as sharp as possible, so you should concentrate on locking your focus down on that.
Also, this is my taste, but I don't find the cow distracting at all. In fact, I think it adds to the image. Especially since it is looking back torward you.

[tsy72001]

Thanks guys, I want to learn it all!