does this work ??
 

iv'e been pondering over this photo over the last few weeks it was a grab shot of my daughter as i was trying out a recently purchased lens
taken at F2.8 the DOF is very shallow and not all the essentials are in focus for me it isn't that important as i like the overall outcome but i am obviously biased because i took the photo and it is my daughter i am going to see things differently to others

i have kept the exposure slightly under on purpose as i think it adds a little

[IMG]http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h171/cosmicma/_MG_8169.jpg[/IMG]

the shot was taken with a 5d mk2 and the canon 100mm f2.8 L IS macro with a 550 ex pointing to the left
camera settings are 1/60th at F2.8 ISO100 using Flash

cheers for looking and you views are welcome

A lovely photo. But, if I was being hyper-critical, I think the DOF is too shallow. Your daughter's left eye is nicely in focus, but the right eye is a little soft (or vice versa as we look at the photo), the middle of her mouth is in focus, but the far side is oof.

Also, I'd be tempted to crop a little off the top of the photo (half-way between the top of the photo and your daughter's forehead).

Definitely a keeper though.

HTH, regards

Nick

thanks for your observations and comments

the photo is un cropped and framed as you see it if i was to crop from the top and wanted to keep the same aspect ratio i would lose a little too much from the sides but saying that if i decided to print at the normal aspect ratios ( 6 x 4 , 8 x 10 etc ) i would lose some of the top or bottom so your idea might very well work

as already mentioned i know at F2.8 the DOF is a little too narrow throwing some of the essential ingredients of the image out of focus and is one of the reasons i posted it for other peoples views which you have kindly taken the time to post
my personal view is despite the less than perfect focus it gives the image a dreamy look which i like but like i said i am biased :)

Nick makes some valid points.

I'd just like to add that overall I like the portrait. Good lighting and you're drawn to the eyes. I'd like to see this in black and white too, because I think that black and white can, in some cases, add something to a portrait.

But, I'd tend to agree with Nick about the focus on the eyes, but overall a good effort.

A really lovely portrait with a great feel to it , DOF has been dealt with and you have explained the slight under exposure but the most important bit that I like is the feel or atmosphere that you've captured , very nice .

By the way congratulations on getting your daughter to pose for you , make the most of it because in my experience the older they get the less likely they are to stay still when you point a camera it them . :)

Mark

PS I'd love to see a good B & W conversion too , they can add a great extra something to a shot .

thanks for your observations and kind words
getting my daughter to pose well thats a whole different ball game she'l not give you a second chance :D

as requested i have converted to B&W

[IMG]http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h171/cosmicma/_MG_8169bw_zps710e0061.jpg[/IMG]

cheers for looking


[QUOTE=markgozz;85388]A really lovely portrait with a great feel to it , DOF has been dealt with and you have explained the slight under exposure but the most important bit that I like is the feel or atmosphere that you've captured , very nice .

By the way congratulations on getting your daughter to pose for you , make the most of it because in my experience the older they get the less likely they are to stay still when you point a camera it them . :)

Mark

PS I'd love to see a good B & W conversion too , they can add a great extra something to a shot .[/QUOTE]

Like it. Good work.

Out of the two I think I prefer the colour one but I think with the right software a B & W conversion could look really good , I wish I had the skill and software to give it a go . :)

Mark

Mark. This is such a nice shot of your daughter. Glad you didn't mind me having a go at re editing it.


[IMG]http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/forum/gallery/files/1/5/4/4/9/1/thelook2.jpg[/IMG]

thanks for posting the image i think you have done a good job my only critique is i think youv'e over cooked the skin smoothing a tad
apart from that it looks great