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DSC_5889-1


jennifer_catron

Exposure Date: 2014:11:09 18:39:13;
Make: NIKON CORPORATION;
Model: NIKON D700;
ExposureTime: 1/400 s;
FNumber: f/2;
ISOSpeedRatings: 400;
ExposureProgram: Manual;
ExposureBiasValue: 0/6;
MeteringMode: Spot;
Flash: Flash did not fire;
FocalLength: 190 mm;
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 190 mm;
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.6 (Macintosh);


From the category:

Portrait

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One of the most critical aspects of outdoor portraiture apart form the subject itself, is the background. The background should give a sense of place without actually competing with the subject for the viewer's attention. This is where this image falls short. The pose and eye contact of the subject are very good but that out of focus window and background is really distracting. Add to that the fact that they window is tilted makes it even worse. Our eyes like order and for straight things to be straight. When they are not, they get our attention. Another thing, not in this image, to look out for is lettering or familiar patterns. Our eyes are drawn to those as well.

 There are some things you can do to minimize the effects of the background. First and foremost, set it so the vertical window lines are vertical instead of skewed. You could darken it somewhat, as our eyes are drawn more to lighter than darker areas. You could also try to blur it some more to help make it less obtrusive.

 The most important thing for next time, spend as much time looking at the background as you do the subject before depressing the shutter! I included a portrait of mine which had a bit of a busy background. By using a very long (300mm f/2.8) lens and a wide aperture (f/4) I was able to isolate her from the background without losing a sense of place that she was on a dock surrounded by water and some woods.

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