Sparkler Kid

I really like this picture, but there is something about it that nags

at me and I can't figure out what. Any critiques would be helpful so I

can try it again this July 4th!

Boy, I don't know. You think "something" is wrong, but you don't really hint at what kind of something it could be. Would it be more interesting if you got a little higher and lower up and down looping motion on the sparkler itself? I wonder if that would put some dark spaces in the bright white segment? Have fun, Thanks for sharing.

This is a very nice photo of the type, I think. I like the off-center placement, and I like seeing the light from the sparklers shade of across the sand. The two things I'd think about are the shape of the primary sparkler region (the burned-out area where the actual burning head was during the exposure, and the spark that goes out of frame to the right.

First, I'd like to see the child's face. It's just a blur. See if you can add a little flash or have the child hold their head still for better facial definition.

 

Second, the child is just waving the sparkler around their waist, creating a skirt. Have them try different patterns. Perhaps a windmill, which may also help light up the face.

I think the subject is just a tiny bit too far to the right.

 

I think the low sparkler effect was a good thing.

 

I've seen a neat shot, (I might try it), where you use a hand held flash and a fast moving person with sparklers at night. Have the person run around with the sparklers, and hit him with the flash at certain intervals. I think the trick is to not have anything behind the subject, so that you maintain the nice black background.