playtime

You have a really cute photo here. I like the look of wonder on her face and the motion conveyed by the toy in her left hand. I do feel her face and chest are a bit overexposed and the transition from light to shadow on her throat and chest seems strangely abrupt, and strangely different from her left shoulder. The grain is a bit too strong for my taste too (looking at the large version), but that's more subjective.

Thank you Philip for your comment. I agree with you regarding the abrupt contrast transition. However I must say my photos are - as for now - scanned from negatives with a Minolta Dimage II, with which I have many contrast problems because of its not too good Dmax.

Taken in the children department of an Ikea shop. Aperture was likely

to be 1 or 2.

This is a nice natural shot, but looks a bit overexposed to me, too. Have you examined the neg to check if there is detail on the highlights there? Since this looks like a higlight and not a shadow problem, scanner Dmax is not likely to be a issue.

It is interesting to read comments on expsure! I think it is really difficult to tell when a photograph on p.n is over exposed or not. It all depends on the monitor you are viewing it on and the ambient light around the monitor.

 

Personally I don't think the girl's face is over exposed. The shadow on the neck does distract. However, this photo is about capturing the child's expression and activity. This photo does this brilliantly.

 

 

This is the way to obtain spontaneous expressions in child portraits, observe them when they are asbsorbed in some activity.I suspect you were technically inhibited by the environment here, and had to make do - the image is a trifle soft and the lighting is a bit flat.The activity in the right hand side of the picture has too much of the space and competes for our attention to the child herself - a different, more oblique viewpoint could have avoided this.Neverteless a charming image.

I like the moment you captured very much: a little girl playing on her own. Wonderful, as the composition.

But there is just one thing that I don´t like on this shot: the lightning. I know, I know it was taken inside the store, so the lights are artificial, and this is exactly the "contradiction" in this shot: if if were have taken under natural light condition, this would have a winner shot, for sure!!

This is a beautiful shot. You've caught a wonderful expression. BTW, It's still a winner shot to me. ;)

This is an extraordinary image with powerful emotional content and compositional elements.

The expression of intense attention and wonder in the girl's face is unmistakable and exquisitely captured. Her line of sight and outstretched arm reinforce the sense of her engagement.

 

That the subject is a girl exploring something that looks mechanical introduces a social element to the piece that will be significant to some viewers. Aside from that, the girl's playful exploration is something that any inquisitive person can relate to.

 

The composition is first rate. There is excellent dynamic balance between the round shapes of the girl's head and the mechanical object of her attention. The human face also repeats these round patterns naturally as well as the smaller objects in the apparatus. The circular shapes are complimented nicely by the implied line of vision and the outstretched arm.

 

The short DOF and light distribution keep our attention in the important elements of the photo. The soft tones keep the mood delicate.

 

Excellent work.

 

It's the good photographs that inspire people to make suggestions on things like shadow, exposure, lighting. Hopefully you see the volume of suggestions as praise! This is an excellent capture under imperfect conditions -- great photo!

May be you'll find the contrast better (?)

I agree with D. Poinsett, the tonal range is perfect. I can't see any highlight that would be improved with more detail. A person of this age has skin that is clear and glowing, just as I see this on my monitor. The white areas in the background are not the subject, and showing "detail" there would mean bringing the tone down to the density of her skin, and all seperation would be lost. This is a very engaging image, complex on many levels as D. Poinsett so eloquently points out... t

This is a very pretty shot. Great expression of wonder in focal point with a magical toy world in blur.

Very lovely picture.

It looks like I am not the only one who thinks this is the best photo in your folders (so far).

Nice composition. You've caught the wonder of youth. Perhaps a bit more contrast in order.

Outstanding.