Please critique this portrait

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jalexa Photography on May 7, 2011 at 5:06am

Let me preface this with "I'm not a pro," but I have many years of amateur experience with the camera. Here are a few things to do differently the next time:

 

1. Don't use pop up flash. If you don't have an off camera flash, move your subject closer to the window to capture the natural light. With the lens you have, you should be able gather ample light with the wide aperture.

 

2. If you have to use the pop up flash and can't get to natural lighting, move your subject away from the background to avoid the harsh shadows.

 

3. It looks like the focus is on his nose. With portraits, you should focus on the eyes. Be careful with the auto focus because it will focus on the closest object to the camera and in portraits, that's usually the nose.

 

Nice first try. Kids are tough to capture because they don't sit still for long, :-)

Permalink Reply by Mike Swiech on May 7, 2011 at 7:31am

Thanks for the comments on the picture. I agree with the comment on not using the pop up flash, it was an inpromptu shot with him so it would have been difficult to move him closer to the window to not use the flash. The focus should have been on his eye, but he could have moved. No auto focus as the lens was all manual.

 

Thanks again :D

Permalink Reply by Sarah Ratcliff on September 7, 2011 at 5:52am

First let me say what a beautiful little boy! Second, you can definitely see the pop up flash of red reflecting in his eyes. Maybe play around with the sharpening tool as well. I love the picture regardless though :)