Had my camera under a month - what do you think?

[Rickythe3rd]

Very new to photography and just been reading as much as I can. I thought I would put up this shot of one of my 1st grade students. I am American but am teaching Elementary English in South Korea. Barely taken 500 shots but wanted to know what everyone thought about this one. I cropped this photo about 40% because there was a blurry kid making a face on the right half of the photo and the teacher's hand in the top left corner. Is there anything that I should mess in regards to color or contrast? Can't wait to shoot, learn more and become a part of the photography community

Maker=Canon
Model=Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Color Space=Adobe RGB
Focal length - 55mm
CCD width - 14.56mm
Exposure time = .033s (1/30)
Exposure Mode=Aperture Priority
Shutter Speed Value=1/200 Second
Aperture Value=f/5.6
Metering=Matrix
Flash=Not used
ISO=100
Handheld

[windrider86]

Please take a quick peek at the guidleines so you'll know what to include within your posts. Thanks so much!

[constructivecriticism]

Originally Posted by Rickythe3rd

Had my camera under a month - what do you think?

I think that how long you've had the camera has nothing to do with the quality of your pictures. Case in point here. Great composition, love the patterned background, including it's reflection on the glass surface (wish it could be highlighted further), but it's the off-camera gaze that makes the picture.

We look forward to more of your photos. Best of luck.

[Rickythe3rd]

sorry about that windrider86 - please let me know if there is anything else I should include.

[sybren]

I think it's a nice picture and a very strong concept. The framing is quite nice, but I don't really like the camera angle. Next time try squatting down and shooting her from her eye level; it makes the photo more personal.

Perhaps you chose to shoot down from a higher point of view, but in that case I would focus on the girl more, and on what she's doing. That would mean including more of the book she has in front of her, and less of the lockers behind her.