First Post- Wanting some CC

SNL · Jul 8, 2011

Hello! I have been lurking for awhile but decided to finally join. I bought my first DSLR last year and have a Nikon D3000. I also had a baby at that time so have been slow on learning. I bought "Understanding Exposure" and have read quite a bit on the internet but still a complete beginner. I do get the basics, but that is it. I am now at the stage where I am comfortable enough to post pictures and get CC and hopefully that will help speed up my improvement. Here is a pic from last month. I believe it is underexposed, I metered for the bright sun while trying to get pics of my oldest son swimming and then turned the camera to get this shot without adjusting for the shade of the umbrella......

DSC_0168 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

DSC_0168 by ShannonLage, on Flickr

So I edited it in PaintShop Pro 8. This is the only editing program I have right now. It's pretty old and I think more for graphic design but it helps me do simple things. All I did was bump up the curves and then saturate yellow a bit. I felt like when it was brightened his skin looked really washed out and almost blended in with the sand. I still feel like it just lacks something though. Here is the edit......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65025107@N08/5915089209/

DSC_0168edit by ShannonLage, on Flickr

My settings were: f/stop- 5 SS- 1/800 length- 42mm iso-100 Any advice? Also what is a good quick way to meter when you are outside? Off the clouds? Blue Sky?

412 Burgh · Jul 8, 2011

click actions, than click more.. and get the BB code

Compaq · Jul 8, 2011

Or just click the arrow next to your sharing options. YMMV

SNL · Jul 8, 2011

It worked! Thank you so much.

vtf · Jul 8, 2011

Your edited version is better for exposure but I was thinking the boy needs to be turned around. Then I thought it would be ok if we could see what he sees. He's watching that girl in the pink swimsuit. He's already a girl watcher on the beach. :lol:

If that is it then the image fits but if not he does need to be turned around.
Keep shooting. :thumbup:

ps: love your camera.

RauschPhotography · Jul 8, 2011

Back side of the child isn't particularly interesting. Should have been in front of him!

tirediron · Jul 8, 2011

The image suffers from a number of issues common to new camera owners.

The original image is about 1/3 - 1/2 stop under-exposed. Notice how the white flowers in the child's trousers are actually gray? For excellent information on metering, browse through the 'How your camera works' section of the Cambridge in Color tutorials. You've adjusted the exposure nicely in your edit. Overall, the image is very cluttered which detracts from what could be a cute child shot.

Notice the obects to his right? There's no reason for them to be there, but they are, and they attract the viewer's attention. The background is very busy and distracting. I suspect that this could have all been eliminated by simply turning around and shooting toward the water, OR you adjusted your position slightly to include only the subject and the person in the pink immediately to the left of his head to give the viewer the impression he was staring at her.

Spend some time reading up on photographic composition. Research the terms 'Golden mean' and 'Rule of thirds'.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary

~John