Feedback

laurenivy · Jan 5, 2012

Hi All! I am brand new here, and a very amateur photographer. I joined this site because I would love to learn more about photography since I am really beginning to enjoy it! I have a nikon D90 and it came with photoshop elements 9. I love processing my photos after they are taken, but have no real knowledge on how the shots are "supposed' to look. (I think i have a horrible eye for white balance!!) Anyway, I wanted to post three photos of my son I have taken recently to see if I could get any feedback on how I can improve... (i.e composition, lighting, post processing... anything!) Thanks in advance!!

DSC_1209 by libst9, on Flickr

DSC_1105 by libst9, on Flickr

DSC_1741 by libst9, on Flickr

KmH · Jan 5, 2012

When shooting just one person, most of the time you will need to turn the camera 90° to the vertical or portrait frame orientation.

In #2 youe subject occupies about 1/15th of the image frame though child is obviously your intended main subject.

That's a big reason the frame is made to be a rectangle, to allow 2 framing modes.

In art they talk about the concept of 'visual weight'.

BekahAura · Jan 5, 2012

Welcome to the forum and photography!!!

Here are my thoughts:

#1 I like your composition and your focus is right on. Part of your background is overexposed, though, and since it's blown out right behind your son's head, it's a big distraction. The drool isn't too pretty either

#2 I agree with KmH here. But you can fix that.... just crop it up.

#3 He's cute and all, but the top of his head and his hands are chopped off!

Keep on shooting =)

laurenivy · Jan 5, 2012

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback. I actually just googled visual weight and I definitely see what you are referring to.

laurenivy · Jan 5, 2012

LOL @ the drool!

Thank you for your feedback also!! Any tips on how to properly expose the subject without over exposing the background? Or do I just have to be careful of the light I am shooting in?

KmH · Jan 5, 2012

laurenivy said:

I recommend you set your flickr account to upload larger images.

laurenivy said:

KmH · Jan 5, 2012

This is what happens when you leave a lot of extra room to play in:

BekahAura · Jan 5, 2012

laurenivy said:
LOL @ the drool! Thank you for your feedback also!! Any tips on how to properly expose the subject without over exposing the background? Or do I just have to be careful of the light I am shooting in?

Both! If you have a flash you can meter your camera off the sky and properly expose the sky while the flash takes care of the subject's exposure. You could also just move your subject so that there are more trees behind his head and get rid of the bright sky. Personally, I'd go for the second option because I love the reflection in his eyes and this would be ruined with flash.