Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire

We were at an amusement park this weekend. My daughter loves face painting, so had it done "perfectly". She graciously posed for me, (a rarity). The first picture was my first shot. I tried a few more before she ran to the next ride, but I couldn't improve it. I had only the built-in flash (as I was expected to go on all the rides, too). I know my settings could have been better, but I was sure I had 3 seconds to get a shot. My goal was to get rid of the shadows under her eyes, but then the flash hit the glitter in her face paint. The second is the best version I got (with minimal PP). What else could I have done?

55mm, 1/640s, f/4.5, ISO 400

(Download)

75mm, 1/200s, f/4.5, ISO 400

(Download)

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

On my monitors,which are calibrated . I really like the 1st one just the way it is . It really looks good . You can see the contour of her face and the natural depth , and under eyes looks good . In the 2nd one , you used so much lighting effect that you have lost that natural contour and depth and natural light making her face look flatter to me . The only thing I might of touched up , is removing the very small brown spot on the center of the bridge of the nose . Just below the painted area . I don't know what the photo looks like on your monitor , so I can only remark on what I see on mine . I think sometimes we try to do too much. You have a very lovely looking daughter , and I can see why you want to photograph her . Curious to see what the portrait photographers might say ,Tommy

waltchilds Loc: Central Florida

This is a very nice shot. The first one IMO is better as the light and skin tones are natural. The second one there is too much light on her face and you can tell the flash fired directly in front of her with the point in her eyes that is not natural. So if the were my shots I'd stick with the first one.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I also like the first shot the best. You did a great job of capturing the face paint and her happiness.

Dennis

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I love the first one, the glitter is part of the facepaint. Lovely portrait to be cherished! I don't see the shadows you spoke of. We are too critical of our own work!

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

Ooops, sorry! Double click.

BigDen Loc: Alberta, Canada

The first picture has much better catchlights. They look like they are reflecting good natural light.
The second photo has small catchlights in the centre of the eyes reflecting the on camera flash. The flash has added too much light causing blown out areas on her face. It is not as flattering as the light in the first photo

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Turn off your built in flash on your camera. You had perfect natural light where you placed your subject. The subject was placed to create natural high natural(reflective) catchlights in her eyes. I usually tell people not to use flash in situations like this unless you know what you are doing. Most people are just better off disabling the on camera flash and putting their subject in a shaded area where you get some gradation of light falling across the face. Just like in photo 1.
To make this image really good a good base image like you have is a start in creating a good final image. I consider the first image to be a good base as far as the photography part is concerned. I'm not a fan of the pose.. This image is really like a million snapshot photos that most parents would be proud to have in a family album. It is not a professionally done or thought out image.
A more professional image would allow the image to say something to someone other than the family. If you are looking to create something that will speak and cause pause you must catch the child in a more personal moment.
Creating cute photographs for the family are easy. Creating photos of loved ones that speak and cause pause is truly art.

This critique is meant to help anyone wanting to go to the next level. There is nothing more gratifying than creating a photograph, of a loved one, that truly speaks to amateurs and pros alike. A photograph that goes beyond family and can be admired by the general populous for it's quality.


I want to emphasize one thing. You got a good base image in the first shot. Your background good. Had the girl had an expression that matched the mood of the background and if the face was not painted and more subdued colors were used this image could have been world class......The light in my opinion was perfect.... You would still need to edit the image to make it world class, but that is a different thing altogether.

Best wishes
Russ

Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire

Thank you all. I definitely agree that the second picture was blown out by the flash. I loved that light in the first, but wanted something to light just under her eyes. I know the flash wasn't the solution. I would have preferred something to reflect a little bit of light from the side. I was limited by having no equipment with me. I have been learning a ton from you all. I found that place, Russ, from advice I've read from you here. With any thought, that would not have been my chosen pose. I am trying to line up some people to pose for me, and I'll keep working on the light use and posing.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Best wishes to you... Try to make the pose look non posed. Take about 50 or so shots getting good expressions and from different angles. Watch your background while working the angles. For me expression and jester is more important than anything. There is no one that expresses the importance of jesture more than Joe McNally....
Good luck on your never ending journey.