Critique for a canvas

[paulrc76]

I have wanted a large print or canvas in my living room for some time. I recently took this photo of my son playing in a park in Cardiff and thought that it would look nice on my wall.

I was hoping for some advice on things that I might alter so that if I do take the plunge and get it printed then it is done as well as it can be.

Also any advice on where to get a canvas or large print made would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Paul

[Reinardina]

Somewhere on the threads here, is a discussion on canvas/large prints. I just happened to see it yesterday, so it should be easy to find.

As far as the photo of your son is concerned, I really like it, but ... I think it would have more of an impact, if he was walking into the frame in stead of (almost) walking out.

You probably shot several pictures that day, so there might be one where he is more 'in the middle' or to the left.

That said, this is my personal opinion only! Everyone has their own preferences and the photo should first and foremost please you.

I must also state that I am not a 'proper' photographer, just an enthusiastic amateur 'housewife-with-a-camera.'

[Markulous]

Enjoyable shot! Not too fussed about him walking out of the frame, TBH, but I guess I might prefer walking in - looks to be burned highlights about which I'm not too keen (maybe upping the levels to make it more hi-key might look good?)

Nostalgic tear for Cardiff (lived there for years) - is this down by the river behind the castle?

[silversnapper1]

Sorry, I've got to agree with the others. Your son is walking out of the frame and that does not make it good compositionally. Also, the left side of his face and hair (what would be his right side) is overexposed and you have lost a lot of detail. The ball is also obscuring part of his face. Other than that, your dof is good throwing the background nicely out of focus to draw you attention to your son and your choice of venue is good too.

[paulrc76]

Thanks for your advice eveyone it is appreciated. The over exposing on his face was one of my main concerns so I will have a playaround and see what I can do.

Markulous, Llandaff Fields isn't too far from the Castle. All the Parks are linked from the Castle, Sophia Gardens goes into Pontcanna Fields which then merge in Llandaff fields. This is not too far from the Cathedral in Llandaff. It is a lovely place especially at this time of year!

Thanks again guys and gals!

[MattUK]

I personally don't think there's any need to have your son facing into the frame. Sure it might be ever so slightly compositionally 'neater', but this shot looks different (and therefore interesting) to me. It's sometimes a little boring to see a shot that ticks every compositional 'rule' off one by one.

One thing i would note, is that the shot is quite desaturated. That may well be the look you're going for (I think it works well), but when getting it printed, be careful that it's preserved. Sometimes printing can alter the saturation either way, so you might not want it to be any more or any less saturated

[paulrc76]

MattUK,
Thanks for your response. At the risk of sounding a bit silly, what you mean by "be careful that it's preserved"? Do you mean by looking at a proof of it or is there a setting on Photoshop or other software with regards to preserving the saturated colours that I need to check?
Sorry if this is a daft question but I have desaturated to achieve this look so I would like the print to look as close to this as possible?
Many thanks, Paul

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by paulrc76

Markulous, Llandaff Fields isn't too far from the Castle. All the Parks are linked from the Castle, Sophia Gardens goes into Pontcanna Fields which then merge in Llandaff fields. This is not too far from the Cathedral in Llandaff. It is a lovely place especially at this time of year!

Ah, right, meeeedja land (BBC just up the road but HTV used to next to the Fields before they moved to Culverhouse)! Lived about 100 yards away in Severn Grove! Was there a couple of weeks ago (for youngest's Uni) visiting our favourite Italian, Cibo's

[MattUK]

Originally Posted by paulrc76

MattUK,
Thanks for your response. At the risk of sounding a bit silly, what you mean by "be careful that it's preserved"? Do you mean by looking at a proof of it or is there a setting on Photoshop or other software with regards to preserving the saturated colours that I need to check?
Sorry if this is a daft question but I have desaturated to achieve this look so I would like the print to look as close to this as possible?
Many thanks, Paul

No such thing as a silly question

Most companies should send a PDF proof to you before printing - ask for one if not. Try and look at it on a couple of different monitors, as they can vary how the colours look. As long as the PDF proof resembles the same saturations as your original image (on the same monitor), they're going to be pretty accurate.

[paulrc76]

Great stuff MattUk - thanks for the help!
Love your images on your 500px link by the way!!!