c&c excuse my first time

[greybeard34 7]

I so a ppreci be more shadowsate the feedback. It's sends me in a million more directions with questions and my interpretation. First off I must've had the uploaded image too long for the tractor pic.#4 His feet aren't cut off in mine. I think that not having the background blurred made the picture. I realize it's not a portrait. There are others from that shoot where he tipped his hat and the background is blurred. I just thought that picture had something the others didn't. I would love to know how to enhance to look more like a photograph instead of a snapshot. My editing skills are very minimal and as they progress is that something that is even possible?
#3 is my most recent and I have learned that DoF is critical in portrait photography by trial and error. I liked him off center because the window in the top left corner balanced it. I vaguely remember noticing the eye in the background and disregarding it where I agree it is a complete distraction. Level adjustment is beyond my vocabulary right now. Is that the brightness, tint , color, etc"slider"?
#2 I felt since the focus was on the book cropping most of the baby didn't take away from it. That is a completely unedited photo and will go back to it one day with the effects you suggested.
#1
I felt it needed more background. Need explained how the flash ruined it. Her face washed out? Should there be more shadows? Are shadows always a bad thing? I don't think I fully understand highlights and shadows.
Yes four is too many at once. My oh my!
Your critique is so much appreciated. Thank you thank you

Levels is a adjustment on most editing software. In this case, I brought down the highlights and brought up the blacks using Photo Shop. This brought out the beautiful brown in his eyes which is one of the things I find so endearing about this photo.

 

[Designer]

Yes, those two photographs in post #15 are very good. I glad you read the websites and "saw the light".

Can we talk about cutting off at joints or what not?

I'm not sure if I completely agree with the "convention", but it has been explained that because real amputees often lose their limbs right at a joint, cropping at a joint gives the impression that the subject is an amputee. Or that is presumably the impression that viewers get from it. Additionally, we humans often "create" the impression that a person's limbs continue in a natural manner, even if we really can't see them.

I would explain awkward cropping more like this: Unless there is a solid reason to chop off someone's forehead, arm, fingers, etc, then the photographer should have included them entirely in the shot. Because, of course, there have been many successful images wherein the person's body parts are not all showing completely in the photograph.

Usually, the cause of incomplete bodies in photographs is a careless photographer who simply didn't pay attention to what was in the viewfinder when he took the picture. Laziness or carelessness severely detracts from an otherwise pretty good photograph.

 

[marineangel]

wanted to show an xample of where I cut off my sons head just because he has a huge noggin and it took over the picture..lol nevermind the color . comment on cropping if you will. Aiden lost a few digits. I do not have too many before Alex was sitting that I love, but I liked this one. it has a sweetness to it. I don't even want to start questions about cropping sizes as I have learned you have to stick with a standard size for printing. seems obvious but I learned that by trial and error. tonight I may spend some time learning lines and texture if you have any suggested sites although I am sure google will get me there. thank you to anyone that invests their time in helping me. I am greatful and promise you you will see improvements. I am a fast learner and have a passion that will not subside over time.

 

[marineangel]

Levels is a adjustment on most editing software. In this case, I brought down the highlights and brought up the blacks using Photo Shop. This brought out the beautiful brown in his eyes which is one of the things I find so endearing about this photo.[/QUOTE]
I don't see an example. Also curious how I achieved the light reflection in his eyes. looks like I think it was called "point of shoot". Just because I know I was quite a distance away using 75-250mm. and should've had flash. its all natural light. my older son has lighter brown eyes that just sparkle and I want to be able to capture that one day.

 

[Designer]

I can live with it. The reasons why I don't mind is because the baby is more the main subject, and there is enough of the older child's face and arms that you don't need the rest of his head to make the picture. Yes, you may have cropped too tightly on the bottom, cropping off part of his hand, when adding the entire hand would mean only a tiny fraction more area, but is rather integral to the entire composition.

 

[Designer]

As far as capturing catchlights in eyes, it doesn't always mean you have to use a flash. Even a window will make a catchlight if the rest of the area behind you is darker than the window.