Two of the baby - C&C please

[exemplaria]

These are two of the better ones from the last month or so. I'm not thrilled with the composition of the first, but the swing was moving so composition was tricky. I suppose I could crop the second down more, but I find I prefer a bit more negative space in my photos.

A-Priority, 1/160, f5.6 on D3100 with 18-55 at 35mm ISO 200


Avy Swing by exemplaria, on Flickr

A-Priority, 1/640 f1.8 on D3100 with nikon 50/1.8g ISO 400


Avy David's Wedding by exemplaria, on Flickr

 

[laynea24]

She is adorable! Eye contact in 2 would have made the shot so much better! I have a 20 month old, so I know how hard that is to achieve! The colors are great and I like them both.

 

[manaheim]

I guess the quesiton is what are you trying to achieve with your pictures? What are your aspirations as a photographer and how much does that play into the shots you have shown us here?

 

[janineh]

#1 all I can see is the blown out sky. Its doesnt really do anything for me.

#2 could have been better if you would have gone down to babies level...

Cute kid tho

 

[exemplaria]

I guess the quesiton is what are you trying to achieve with your pictures? What are your aspirations as a photographer and how much does that play into the shots you have shown us here?

I want photos that I feel are worthy to blow up to 8x10 and put in the house/office/share with grandparents. I have (what I believe) to be a fairly high bar for these types of photos. I'm not sure that either of these meet it, but like I said they're the best of what I've done recently. Longer term I'd like to have the expertise not to have to hire pros for these quality of shots.

1 all I can see is the blown out sky. Its doesnt really do anything for me.

#2 could have been better if you would have gone down to babies level...

Really? I kind of like that - halo effect and all. Obviously the photo is front lit so I had to overexpose to get her exposure reasonable, and still do more in PS to bring it back to where it is. I though the slightly blown out look was all the rage today, I see it all the time in engagement shoots.

 

[janineh]

I want photos that I feel are worthy to blow up to 8x10 and put in the house/office/share with grandparents. I have (what I believe) to be a fairly high bar for these types of photos. I'm not sure that either of these meet it, but like I said they're the best of what I've done recently. Longer term I'd like to have the expertise not to have to hire pros for these quality of shots.

Really? I kind of like that - halo effect and all. Obviously the photo is front lit so I had to overexpose to get her exposure reasonable, and still do more in PS to bring it back to where it is. I though the slightly blown out look was all the rage today, I see it all the time in engagement shoots.

Babies head is still too dark to me and the ski is sooo bright it even takes up some of babies hair. I would say wait till the sun is lower and its just a bit oh haze... Might have a pic to show you... That one has a haze. Yes you can overexpose to do so, but your pic doesnt really work. Better for this would have probably been a reflector or a flash.

 

[manaheim]

I guess the quesiton is what are you trying to achieve with your pictures? What are your aspirations as a photographer and how much does that play into the shots you have shown us here?

I want photos that I feel are worthy to blow up to 8x10 and put in the house/office/share with grandparents. I have (what I believe) to be a fairly high bar for these types of photos. I'm not sure that either of these meet it, but like I said they're the best of what I've done recently. Longer term I'd like to have the expertise not to have to hire pros for these quality of shots.

Grandparents would love to have pretty much the worst picture you can imagine blown up to the size of a billboard... unless they're photographers... and in some cases, even if they ARE photographers. Some of the stuff my mother in law puts up on her walls has the photographer in my screaming in anguish, but she loves them because it's all about her grandkids and that's all she cares about.

That said, it sounds like you want to exceed their (likely) low expectations. Given that...

1. Shooting into the sun is not a great idea. You can do some things with it if you know what you're about but I would suggest walking before you try to run.
2. You want to fill more of the frame with the subject (the child) Watch for dead space or space that doesn't contribute anything to the shot and try to minimize it.
3. Try to find settings that are complimentary or say something.
4. Watch your exposure.
5. Try to capture emotions.

 

[Derrel]

SNIP>>>>>>>>>, I find I prefer a bit more negative space in my photos.

In this case, all that empty, unused space is not really negative space. If you had shown the child standing,in her cute little dress, it would have been a good photo. She's probably a relatively new walker...she's reached a milestone...she can stand, and walk. Instead of showing that, we get a large expanse of concrete sidewalk, and some green foliage, and half of a child. She is standing UPRIGHT, and is MUCH taller than she is wide. And yet, the camera is held in the horizontal orientation, and the exciting aspect of the shot, that she can stand...is not shown. And you're telling us you prefer a bit more "negative space" in your photos, and you want,someday, to be able to not need to hire professional photographers. Well, this photo, shot #2, is a good example of the difference between just a random snapshot, and what a professional would try and show.

 

[paigew]

I don't mind 'blown out skies'. I know some do, but I don't think it is a deal breaker. On #1 your shutterspeed was way to low (1/160) plus your relation to the sun is washing out your photo and creating haze. It would be better if you were slightly angled to the sun. I think that this is a cute snapshot but as mentioned, there is no emotion. I love negative space as well, but there should be a 'purpose' for the space. In this photo, what is the purpose? If you had shot this at a different angle you could have eliminated the road and building from the shot leaving only the nice trees and grass. Also shooting in portrait orientation would let us see her baby toes.


In #2 you are still shooting 'down' on her. You need to get more on her level so that her eyes are looking directly into the lens. Also, again with the negative space, there is no purpose. In this photo the neg space isn't too busy (as with the swing pic) but if I had to choose I would WAY rather see her entire body/dress/cute baby shoes

Also, what focus mode are you using. These look in focus (well #1 is a little blurry from slow ss) but just to be clear when shooting kids your focus mode should be set to 'al servo' (canon) mode so you can track your (always) moving subject. Great job on these. Look forward to seeing more!!

 

[exemplaria]

Thanks all. I'm usually pretty good about getting down on her level, but as noted in the photo title that was from a wedding and (not pictured) I was wearing a tux.

 

[amolitor]

She is standing UPRIGHT, and is MUCH taller than she is wide

Toddlers are surprisingly square "Somewhat taller than she is wide" perhaps!

 

[jaicatalano]

I would try adding the golden hour effect on the 1st one. It's a bit blown out but if you shot in raw then you can fix it a bit and add it back in to see more of the baby and less of the full glare.

Photoshop Tutorial: Adding The Golden Hour Look | Portrait Inspiration