Betsy
Uploaded: January 24, 2009
My step-daughter. Cropped from an image of Betsy, three friends and her mom sitting around the kitchen table drinking margaritas and all talking at the same time! I emerged from the safety of my den to take a quick snap on auto setting, then retreated!
Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/60 seconds, Flash: fired, auto mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 50.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 20D
Peter W. Marks January 25, 2009
Any helpful thoughts on this one? I have to admit we both are rather pleased with this as it was strictly a candid shot. #1073280John G. Clifford Jr January 26, 2009
I think you have a good capture... but there are some things I'd change if I wanted a really great photo.First, if you were actually trying to get a great photograph instead of just pleasantly surprised after looking at your capture, then remember for portraits you want to focus on the eyes. Betsy's left eye (the eye closest to the camera) should be sharp, at least, and better if both eyes are sharp. Instead, the focus seems to be on the sleeve closest to the camera. This might have been helped by shooting the camera in aperture-priority mode, and setting a medium aperture (f/5.6 to f/8), or by ensuring the camera auto-focused on the model's eyes by deliberately putting the focus indicator there, half-pressing the shutter button until the focus/exposure locked, then re-composed in the viewfinder before pressing the shutter fully and taking the picture.
I would also do a little post-processing to darken the background a little, and to even out the light on Betsy's face.
In other words, you had the eye and caught a great moment but the technical aspects of the shot are just a little off. #7089984
Peter W. Marks January 26, 2009
Hi John. Thank you very much for your very detailed comments. I understand exactly what you are telling me and do appreciate you taking the time to do this. I would like nothng better than for Betsy to pose in this relaxed way but the reality is that if I told her I was photographing her all I would have got was a nice sharp, well focused but totally false smile. As I mentioned in my description this was literally a snap shot and what you see is what I could get. But never the less your advice will be of great use to me and probably others if another opportunity presents itself. I only wish more folk would offer the help you have given and I thank you again.Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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