Sea World

[Mikkimak]

Filename: Sea World 023 copy.jpg
Camera: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D40
ISO: 220
Exposure: 1/500 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 28mm
Flash Used: Yes

I am new at this whole thing... but I thought that I would start with posting this photo to get some feedback. What are your thoughts on the colors, composition, etc. ??
thanks.

Mikkimak

[FrankenPengie]

I rather like the direction you went with this but it's a tad heavy on the levels or curves adjustment. The distinct difference between the exposure between her and him needs to be lowered.

I think for starts I think you should level the background horizon, or shoreline. This should get the post vertical. I know there's a rule about chopping off arms but the rail chops it off anyway - and the stuff to the right is fairly extraneous so I feel a crop off the right, eliminating the rail post would help. The boy's right arm is a little awkward so cropping just above the armhole in the shirt would not lose anything.

After all that, spunky-gal has some hair competition behind her but I don't see that that can be helped. Then there's the other guy's camera. If you can clone that out that would be a win.

All-in-all I think the lad's left cheek should be center-stage. Get the blue line at top level. Focus on the subject(s) and their better parts and/or eliminate the needless. Balance lighting discrepancies and show contrast without compromising natural color.

[Mikkimak]

Thanks I appreciate the suggestions... I am going to work on it and post it again in this thread!

[Sandie]

I hope you don't mind, but I played with it a bit.

First I just cropped it. Then I played with the curves adjustment to tone down the hot spots. The little girl is now definately the 'subject' of the photo, and the dolphin on the right gets more notice, the little boy is still a little 'hot' and kind of gets lost in the composition, but with some more tweaking I bet you could work out an even better balance.

[Mikkimak]

Thanks for the visual. I just finished editing it again too... I do like the dark tones in your edit. Thanks

[Mikkimak]

I tryed out some of the suggestions and I like it. Although I need a lot more practice with photoshop. I am still learning to use the clone stamp, curves, layers,etc.

[KathrynWilson]

That is MUCH better, great job.