My favorite model

[Aldonis]

A picture of my favorite model (my kid).

Taken outdoors off the Natchez Trace in TN - by Jackson Falls.

Details:
Cannon Digital Rebel (300D)
f/5.6
Exposure 1/10sec
ISO 100
no exposure bias
Focal length 80mm

My goal was to have the focus on the model but to show the location and blur of the water behind her - so to show the location - but not lose focus on her. One of my first times going out and really trying to use the camera as more than a point and shoot after a few lessons taken recently.

I'm intersted in any thoughts on overall composition, ideas on ways to do lighting, does the image still keep your focus on the model - while showing the location. Any general comments on overall ideas/thoughts/opinions on how to improve this type of shot. I know I need to crop her foot out on the right - but I guess you get what you pay for in models eh!

Thanks in advance,

Al

[windrider86]

The very first thing I noticed was the slant of the wall she is laying on. Feels like she might slide off the end of it. Aside from cropping her foot out, I'd probably go as far to get rid of the tree and rock in front of her as well. Having them in the photo is just too much going on

[Aldonis]

Thanks for the feedback! Greatly appreciated.

Here's an attempt I made to follow it and update the picture. Thoughts on the revised look?

Does the crop now make it a rather bland picture - or still convey the location and scene it was shot in?

Thanks!

[Mark Engelhart]

The image seems under exposed slightly and on my monitor it appears a bit cold (blue). If you bump the light up and the mids down slightly ( I use photoshop and would change in levels) it will bring her out more in the image and also make the water more white. I would also warm the image up slightly with a warming filter. I like the composition of the second image better. I was recently told by a photographer friend that I respect alot that if it's not part of the story, it doesn't need to be there.

[WayneW]

Hi Aldonis,
I kind of like your first image. True,there's a lot that could be done to help it. For composition, maybe the camera could have been moved to the left a bit. Thank you digital media, shoot all you want! The red jacket is a plus, due to the overcast lighting. Just warming it would help. Here's a link to one of Bryan Peterson's videos that you should watch:

Using a Reflector for Portraits: Ep 110: You Keep Shooting: Adorama Photography TV - YouTube

He's got a lot of interesting and entertaining videos.

[ccting]

Hi,

I have just learned some portrait lighting lesson so I practise here..

a) Red Clothes does distracting, and it is not balanced with background. Variant bright red with dark blur background creating high contrast than the face-background, really distract my attention. The red clothes just like a finger points my eyes to right immediately without after stopping a while on the face..

b) I guess your intention is avoid viewers not to focus too long on the pretty face.. (You do mind if I stare at her pretty face a little longer???)



ok, that's the only lesson i've learned today.. any comment?

[baajero]

I like the second one more... the first one just feels like a snapshot... the second one feels more of a story I also agree about there being a bit too much blue and warming up would help a bit... having said that... I wonder if warming up the picture would make the red more pronounced.... as it stands now I like her red jumper... but if its warmer I feel it take away from her face and the rest of scene...
And yes she is beautiful god bless her

[Aldonis]

Originally Posted by windrider86

The very first thing I noticed was the slant of the wall she is laying on. Feels like she might slide off the end of it. Aside from cropping her foot out, I'd probably go as far to get rid of the tree and rock in front of her as well. Having them in the photo is just too much going on

LOL - my daughter read your post and said "She's right - I felt like I was going to fall off!"

Thanks for the tips - does the crop shot look better to you?

Checked your blog out - you have some awesome work!

[Aldonis]

Thanks everyone for the comments - it's interesting to hear the different perspectives from all.

And she's a wonderful kid and I'm proud to be her Dad!

[ccting]