Christmas Portrait

[accentchick]

This is my first post. Below is a picture I took last month and I think its one of my best. However, I only started photography in November so I would like to have some seasoned pros tell me their thoughts. I think it has proper exposure and perhaps the only thing to improve it might have been a shallower dof. So overall I'm looking to see if anyone has opinions of how I could have shot this better. Below is my exif data:

Camera Model Canon EOS REBEL T3i with 430 EXII Flash
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/8
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.5
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

[carlyfan]

Well I'm certainly no seasoned pro, but I'll tell you what I think.

First of all, your model is super cute! But I think she gets lost in the background. It is very busy and very distracting. You're right that a shallower DoF would definitely help with this, but I think a simpler background would still be better. There are just too many different textures and patterns competing for attention (different patterns of wrapping paper, the tree, the decorations on the tree, and the pattern on her pajamas). I know you probably wanted all that in the background to create the Christmas theme you were going for, but just be careful of the background overpowering your subject.

Also, I think the camera tilt just adds to the busyness of the photo. It feels unbalanced and I keep feeling like I need to tilt my head as I look at it.

Good job with the light though. Did you bounce your flash or did you have it off camera?

I hope this helps, and welcome to DPS!

Lisa

[accentchick]

Thanks so much for your response! I agree it is pretty busy and she does get lost in the photo. As for the lighting, I used a 430 EXII flash on camera but tilted at a 45 degree angle. The one thing I haven't been focusing a ton on has been DoF but I will be starting the new year off right and focusing more on that