Child :: Contrast? Colour? Crop?

[DavidD]

Hi

Thank you in advance for your critique, I love this forum and the helpful advise given.

I am looking to improve in my photography. This picture of my daughter (the lovely Darcy) - who sat still for just a moment - was taken on the settings as below with the addition on a white bqckdrop, bowens 400 gemini and oct box and an sb26 shot on the background.
Mistakes given are: Blown out by incorrect set background flash between arm and body and around her hair (shame on me).
Post Processing: Only saturation and some dodge on the background and a sharpen. Nothing done to the eyes.

Question: Is the exposure correct? Face too red? Crop - Should I go for the head shot? Please feel free to edit and many thanks in advance for your critique.




Date Shot: 23/12/2009 20:11:04.00
World Time: UTC, DST:ON
Image Quality: Compressed RAW (12-bit)
Artist:
Copyright:
Image Comment:
Camera Info
Device: Nikon D5000
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 29mm
Focus Mode: AF-C
AF-Area Mode: Dynamic
VR: OFF
AF Fine Tune:
Exposure
Aperture: F/11
Shutter Speed: 1/100s
Exposure Mode: Manual
Exposure Comp.: +1.7EV
Exposure Tuning:
Metering: Matrix
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200
Flash
Flash Sync Mode:
Flash Mode:
Flash Exposure Comp.:
Colored Gel Filter:
Image Settings
White Balance: Preset, 0, 0
Color Space: Adobe RGB
High ISO NR: OFF
Long Exposure NR: OFF
Active D-Lighting: Normal
Image Authentication:
Vignette Control:
Auto Distortion Control: OFF
Picture Control
Picture Control: [PT] Portrait
Base:
Quick Adjust: 0
Sharpening: 2
Contrast: Active D-Lighting
Brightness: Active D-Lighting
Saturation: 0
Hue: 0

[SusanH1970]

Hi David! Your daughter is adorable!

First of all, good for you for catching the blowouts. Exposure looks spot-on, otherwise. The skin tones look great, too - I don't see too much red at all.

I do think it could use a bump in contrast. It's a touch flat and I think that a contrast boost would give it the extra "oomph" it seems to need.

I'm not sure what it is about the crop that's bugging me. I usually like square crops, but something about this one doesn't look 100% quite right to me...can't put my finger on it.

I think the head tilted to the side is adorable, but the disappearing hands are a little distracting to me. That's a total nitpick though.

All in all, I think it's pretty well done.

[DavidD]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Hi David! Your daughter is adorable!

Thanks, I have to agree there.

First of all, good for you for catching the blowouts. Exposure looks spot-on, otherwise. The skin tones look great, too - I don't see too much red at all.

I do think it could use a bump in contrast. It's a touch flat and I think that a contrast boost would give it the extra "oomph" it seems to need.

Right
, thanks. May I ask with curves? , I always fall at contrast.

I'm not sure what it is about the crop that's bugging me. I usually like square crops, but something about this one doesn't look 100% quite right to me...can't put my finger on it.

I think the head tilted to the side is adorable, but the disappearing hands are a little distracting to me. That's a total nitpick though.

Your right about the crop and the hands. Thanks for that, not nit picking at all. I had not even thought of the hands.
I apprecate your advise and opinion.

[SusanH1970]

Curves would work if you're comfortable using them. I personally kinda suck at using curves, LOL...I really need to work on that....I usually use the brightness/contrast and adjust the sliders till it looks right to me. Most of the time it's just a very, very slight adjustment, just enough to give it a bit of "pop".

Glad to have helped you out! Again...it really is a lovely shot.

[AnneWynne]

The photo is adorable...expression and hidden hands makes me wonder what she is up to. I can't see much I would change about it with the exception of the crop...she is just a tad off-center in the square crop.
Great job! Wonderful subject!

[DavidD]

Thanks for you valued opinion and your kind compliment. Yes cropping central will not be a problem at least.

If anyone else can help me improve I would love to hear from you.