Shadows

[tkerbell]

I have been gone for about a week - there was a death in my family - being the sentimental fool I am I insisted on being the "photographer" during the family moments....

How could I have improved this picture? It was taken outside EXIF info below the shot. Looking for how I could have set this shot up to minimize the shadows on their faces. I love the DoF on it and the virbrance of colors but I am truly upset that I did not know enough to shoot this at a different angle to have avoided the shadows....I know I will have opprotunities to shoot this type again and I want to improve. Any and all comments/critiques/advice/suggesstions welcome.

PP done: Cropped to bring the subjects closer

From Updated shots

EXIF:
Camera: Nikon D40
Lens : Tamaron 20mm-40mm
Focal length used: 40mm
Flash: None
Apeture : f/3.8
ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/1600
Metering Mode: Center Weight

In advance - thanks for looking!!
Janet -

[lputman]

A change of location to an open shaded spot would have resulted in a better photo. Fill flash would have reduced the harsh shadows some or a diffuser to block the sun.

[klam]

The bush on the right of pic is distracting. The roof intersecting with the females head and the branch coming out of the baby's head bothers me a bit. It seems i'm more interested in what the house looks like. So I think a change of location would help.

[tkerbell]

klam - until you pointed that out I did not recognize the distraction but your right - my eyes were drawn away from my nephew and my cousin....thanks!!