andrew_certain

You said that you were a complete beginner. Some of the things I write below are very basic; if they are obvious to you, I was not trying to be patronizing, but rather aiming my comments at your described level of knowledge.

 

First a few technical comments. The image looks like it was reduced significantly in resolution and then blown up again. You can see blockiness around the eyes and hair especially that I find distracting. Try to keep all the resolution in the file (and make sure that the image size is set to the highest setting on the camera). In addition, the red-eye makes me think that you were using on-camera flash. Investing in a flash unit will help a lot (and learn to use bounce flash another other defusing techniques).

 

As for composition, it would be nice if the top of her head weren't cut off. I would prefer to see more context. Her head is resting on her arm, but what's her arm resting on?

 

In general, it's better to shoot these types of pictures in "portrait" orientation (rotate the camera so that the long edge of the image is up-and-down). However, this composition could work in landscape mode since she appears to be lying down, and you can capture more of her body in this orientation.

 

Also, I've found that posed pictures with kids this age don't work very well as their smiles are obviously fake (this isn't to say that adults are great at smiling on queue). I would try to focus more on candids. That said, while a few well-placed strands of hair can add interest, the amount of stray hair in this picture I find distracting.

 

The main piece of advice is "shoot a lot."

 

Andrew

This is the "before" companion to http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2047637

My lack of obtaining a model release wasn't due to the fact that he is presumably homeless. It was primarily because I had never heard of a model release when I shot this picture 15 years ago.

However, I don't believe one is needed, as I certainly have no intention to use this picture commercially. I am sorry if some people feel that I am degrading this man; that certainly was not my intention.

I was moved by the image, and I thought others might be as well.

Andrew

Comments always appreciated.

This was taken while on a bike tour of Tuscany.