First time out

[wildenkidu]

I'm new to the non-P&S world. After getting my new prime lens, I went out to try to just get a feel for it. In the library [actually went to pick up some photography books], I saw this girl reading in the stacks. After asking permission, I took these two shots. Even though I liked the idea, I'm not thrilled with how they turned out. I would love to hear any critiques or ideas on how others would have approached this setting.

I will admit that, despite asking first, I didn't want to take too many shots for fear of creeping her out - so I just shot wide open with two different focus points.

librarygirl (1 of 2) by wildenkidu, on Flickr

librarygirl (2 of 2) by wildenkidu, on Flickr

 

[hamlet]

I like the first shot with a little more shallower dof perhaps. You could do that in photoshop.

 

[Theo2]

Monochrome might help the busy scene also.

 

[robbins.photo]

Ok, well keep in mind this is a very quick and dirty edit.. but..



The photograph as is has a couple of issues that are a little difficult to fix, it looks like the focus point was actually on the girls dress and as a result her face is not in sharp focus. I chose this particular crop because if you look at the shade at the top of the window, it's not straight - as a result it gives the image the impression of having a "dutch tilt". Also by cropping out some of the stacks the focus is more on the girl however it's still evident that she's in a library. Like I said, this was just a real quick edit, but this is probably the direction I would have gone.

 

[hamlet]

Ok, well keep in mind this is a very quick and dirty edit.. but..



The photograph as is has a couple of issues that are a little difficult to fix, it looks like the focus point was actually on the girls dress and as a result her face is not in sharp focus. I chose this particular crop because if you look at the shade at the top of the window, it's not straight - as a result it gives the image the impression of having a "dutch tilt". Also by cropping out some of the stacks the focus is more on the girl however it's still evident that she's in a library. Like I said, this was just a real quick edit, but this is probably the direction I would have gone.

I like the OP's version better because you've got the bookshelves really serving as something that is leading the viewers attention to the subject. With this crop that goes away.

 

[Kendall9991]

Great photos. I like the first how it is. Good job!

 

[MRPhotography]

I like the first better than the second...

I dislike she has an ebook in her hand instead of a real book though. If this was a model...I would have had a book in its place.

Then again, I can see you making a statement with this shot concerning exactly what I am talking about. Surrounded by tradition yet breaking it.