Meltdown

[st_jude1973@yahoo.com]

So I originally had an appointment with a young woman who wanted portraits. I brought my sketches and had my camera set up with timing planned so that I could catch the sunset. Perfect right?... until 5 min before she shows up and thinks it might be important to let me know her boyfriend and daughter will be in the shoot as well. I wanted to cry, my heart was pounding, I was completely unprepared. Lack of communication on my part I guess. Luckily her daughter was my daughters age so WINGING it was a lil easier. Anywho this is one of her favorite shots but I feel like maybe the light was too much...
is she blown out?
Do you think the sepia works?
Are her eyes in good focus?
Do you think I caught too much of the background?
Any other crit., or comm are welcome. Thank you!


1/125s
F6.5
Nikon D3000

[sybren]

From your story I think this was a great opportunity. It looks like you could use a little motivation to loosen up from a rigid planning and just go with the flow.

I think it's a lovely shot! Yes, the highlights are a bit blown out, and it's a bit distracting, but still her smile is great.

[mandyatm]

I like the picture, her expression and focus are good. I would crop a little off the top, maybe below the hair clip and see how that looks. Since you got so close to begin with, it might help to cut out some of the bright background.
I have found myself "freezing" when something doesn't go as planned. I have started writing everything down before I go to the shoot (pose ideas, props to be included, background, etc), but then not even looking at it once I get there. Just the act of writing it down helps me remember, but also helps me go with the flow a little more. Nothing ever goes perfectly to plan, but sometimes I get something even greater!

[st_jude1973@yahoo.com]

you are SO right. im a very orginized person and i like to plan things to a "t" and when they dont go that way i have a tendency to get very nervous. I do just need to relax and go with the flow. thnks for the suggestions.