St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

gravelc has graciously volunteered the WPC 1351 - Holiday Cheer entry for critique and analysis to find out what they could have done to make it better. Be nice, but be honest as this will help everyone with their craft. Thank you gravelc and thank you everyone!

from WPC 1351 - Holiday Cheer RESULTS http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest_ratings.jsp?pcnum=95

Zoé at one !

RLB Loc: San Francisco East Bay

Zoe is adorable -- there is nothing wrong with this photo. I think the hands position exposing only the eyes makes it more interesting than it would otherwise be Perhaps if the background were other than red (i.e., black) the subject would have popped out more.

MikeIrby Loc: Phoenixville, PA USA

Hi Grav! Cute Christmas shot.
A few quick thoughts: I'm guessing you used on camera flash and when you turned the camera vertical the flash was now on your right and caused the harsh shadow on the left of her face. You could put the tried and true white handkerchief or small piece of white tissue paper over the flash. If you can take the flash off and bounce it, even better.
Or move her over to a bright, soft, natural window area and let the natural soft light wrap her face adding dimension. Fill as needed. If the background at the window wasn't a choice add a background, seamless, show card, fabric, etc. about 4-5 ft. behind her.
I would shoot from a slightly lower angle, kids are always better shot at their level.
The dark ambient room light is causing her pupils to dilate, hiding her natural eye color.
As always with kids, you have to go with the flow. The little girl in green on the floor was crying about 10 minutes before this shot and we waited about 45 minutes before she would take a shot with Gramma's help of course!
You can't experiment enough and write things down for your reference.
Take care!

berchman Loc: South Central PA

You really know your stuff, very informed critique. I learned from it, especially the bit about the expanded pupils. And your own pictures of children are terrific.

texasdan78070 Loc: Texas Hill Country

I liked all 3 pictures, but learned about eye level with kids.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

The shadow doesn't bother me at all, since they are naturally occuring and help make the image look "real." Somehow images without shadows always look unreal to me. What does bother me about this image is the sort of orange background - like the lamps were turned on in the room. And the change in background color to dark where there was no wall is sort of disconcerting. Really cute of the kid!

RLB Loc: San Francisco East Bay

Very insightful comments, Mike, thanks, I too learned from them. Especially useful to see your photos. I didn't notice the shadow you referred to until you brought it to my attention, especially on the forehead. Overall, however, there is relative flatness in the contours of the face, perhaps due to the flash as you suggested. Yours, however, contain more extreme but pleasing variations of light and shadow -- beautiful. I'm guessing due to natural light. And the background: I agree the orange is probably not the best choice for use with the red subject, whereas the colors in your backgrounds compliment the subject. Anyway, my reactions, for what it's worth.

Kimbee Loc: Dunedin, Florida, USA

This is an extremely cute child in an adorable pose. Your focus is nicely done on the baby's face, but the lighting is kind of harsh and I agree that being at eye-level would have probably created a more pleasing composition.

Carla J Loc: Monroe, IA

Zoe is so adorable. I like the way you can see she is smiling even behind her little hands. She looks very happy and excited. Lovely photo.