Candid portrait

[f.scala]

Took this portrait of a friend while at a park the other day. This is my 1st attempt at a portrait, so basically, I'd like to know what could be better. How's the composition? Pose? I did a bit of touching up on her face, as she had some acne scars, does it look natural? Any tips or comments are appreciated!





Here's the image info, I don't know if it shows on imageshack:

Camera Model: NIKON D200

Flash Used: No

Focal Length: 50.0mm

Exposure Time: 0.0013 s (1/750)

Aperture: f/1.8

ISO Equiv.: 100

Whitebalance: Auto

Metering Mode: matrix

Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

[EOBeav]

The wildlife is distracting! It's almost like you have two different photos here, and both are competing with each other. I wonder how moving yourself to the right or left a little would have changed all of that. It's a nice pose, and with some compositional alterations you could have a really nice portrait here.

[f.scala]

Thanks for the critique, keeping the ducks out is definately something to keep in mind for the next time!

[f.scala]

The crop does make a huge improvement! Thanks!

[Fotogreen]

I like uncropped.

[barabe]

I beleive a candid shot is one while the model is not posing for the shot.

I like the shot you have. I think i prefer the uncroped version, it tells the storry of where you were for the shot.

For the PP you did on acne scars, you should work on it a bit more. Her face has a nice rose color and where you did the repairs, there is a different lighter tone so it does not work with me. If you decide to print a large version of the shot it will show but on a small scale, it works.

[kencaleno]

A candid shot is where the person is unaware that they are being photographed.

[inspire]

Originally Posted by denja

I agree about the distraction, but a good attempt if you are brand new. You can get rid of the distraction with a post process crop like the one I have included. Also I adjusted the levels slightly.


Let me know what you think.

yep i was think the same too... if you blurred the images behind, then the focus must be on the subject...