22 months old
- Category:
- People & portrait
- Date taken:
- Location:
- CA
- Exif:
- 1/664s f/4.6 ISO 1000 59mm
- Description:
- This was a pic that I took of my daughter in the backyard playing. I get so frusterated that I dont seem to get light in the eyes or a very sharp photo. This seems to be a huge problem of mine.
-
freeman
What do you like?
I like this photo overall. I like the tight crop and where you put your daughter in the frame. She is beautiful! The lighting on her face is soft and natural. To me this image looks improved compared to the previous one you posted.
1 DecemberWhat would you improve?
The eyes are still not tack sharp. It seems like your shutter speed is high enough to get a sharper image. A few things that might help with that would be to close your aperture to the f5.6 or f8 range depending on how close you are standing (though I don't think thats what the problem is in this image). Make sure you have a steady stance when you press the shutter in (and make sure you lightly press it, you don't have to push hard to capture the image b/c if you do it might make it harder for you to hold your camera steady). Another thing is to utilize your cameras autofocus points. Using an open aperture and standing close makes it difficult to get a sharp image by using the center autofocus point to focus on the eyes and then move the camera to compose the image how you want. Depending on what camera you have there are a few ways to change how you focus. Make sure you utilize post-process sharpening (and color enhancement, too) if you are shooting in RAW as it naturally doesn't have your cameras auto enhancements (the ones applied if you shoot in JPG).
As far as light goes it seems to me to be an overcast day which produces a flat image. If that is the case try shooting when less clouds are visible or utilize artificial light sources others have recommended. If you don't have a flash this is a cheap one that has amazing reviews (http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-Flash-Speedlite-Yn-460ii-Pentax/dp/B003IZ9XTI). I ordered mine and am having it shipped (it takes a while since I am living in Africa) so I have not yet tried it personally. There is also an older model that would work fine for cheaper. Also on the post processing side there is adjustment brushes you could use to help with the eyes.
As far as exposure I don't think it is that bad. Never trust your LCD. Learn to use a histogram. This is how to know if you are getting good, balanced photos.
The main key is don't give up. I have doing photography for several years (on the side of a full time life mind you) and am no where near where I could or should be. I have so much room to grow. The goal is to improve everyday. Enjoy it. Love it. Mess up. Learn and grow. A website that has been a huge help to me lately is www.improvephotography.com. The guy has almost an endless amount of suggestions to help you along in your photography journey. -
arkei
What do you like?
The determined but yet hesitant gaze of your daughter.
11 OctoberWhat would you improve?
The sharpness of the eyes and cropping on the right side a little...
-
kanonkop
hmmm, not sure why you not gettting a sharp image. your shooting speed is fast enough even for hand held shots, at 1000ISO. and you have enough DOF to get the whole face in focus at 59mm.
25 August
you could consider dodging in PS round the eyes to improve the light, though in this shot i don't think its that bad -
-
mblum4
What do you like?
I love this iamge ,so sweet and cute girl,I like the composition ,the nice expression here ,,good capture ,she is really but adorable ,,
23 August 2012What would you improve?
i think you cut part of the hair -head ,,,and its a pitty ,when you shot ,you have to focus all,the main is her face,all is important ,but you left part of missing hair -head here ,,,sometimes happen in the entusiasm to get the shot quickly but i love the image of your daughter so sweet ,you can take another shots showing many of the moments in her life
smgleason@kanonkop
25 AugustThank you very much for the feedback. I poseted this photo but I have a million others to demonstrate the fact that my pics are just not up to par. I get SO frustrated. I think that what I need to learn is how to get a good exposure. Currently, I just start turning dials until the end up looking just a bit overexposed on the viewfinder. I am just not quite sure how to determine the best exposure. Do you have any tips? Is there a trick that I am missing? I just keep thinking that I am choosing the wrong settings since this happens so often.