Seasonal photo of my wife. Outdoors with fill flash to remove the speckles from the leaves filtering the sunlight. f/4.5 1/90sec

I know it is inevitable that I am going to get some bumps for

something wrong in the photo. I do not mind the scores, but I would

truly appreciate your wit and insight as to how I might improve the

composition or lighting or background or something. Even if you think

it is a good portrait, please tell me what you DID like about it. I

was purposeful here today. I used FILL FLASH because the kid's

pictures on Thursday had too many shadows. I liked the lighting and

the slight color cast it offered. That warm color glow reminds me of

fall. So, let me hear your opinion, please!

Lucius, I'm not expert with flash photography (99% of my work is without flash). However, I do think that perhaps the flash output was a touch too strong. Her features appears a little too 'harsh' to me - but it could be my monitor :) That said, I really find the overall image very appealing. What do you think about zooming/cropping closer so that the viewer feels 'closer' to the subject? Just my thoughts :) M

Michael, I will play with your ideas. I seldom use flash either, but the contrasty lighting and the orange glow from the trees might have left the image with a color cast. I used the flash mostly to eliminate the strong shadows that might have sprottled her face. A tighter crop might help with it as well as a bit of post processing.

Happy to be a sounding board for you, Lucius :) That shallow DOF really works a treat in this image. Happy shooting :) M