gator81 Loc: Jeffersonville Indiana

I feel that I am getting better but the more I do it seems the more I cannot please myself.
Here is an older picture I had taken of the wife and myself using A app on my phone for remote trigger, but I really have a few questions:
1. I used the ruler to level the horizon but I still feel that its not level, could it be that even though it shows level with a ruler its just perspective?
2. Because I did not use a filtered flash or reflection and I did not plan for the best time of day I have shadows, bright spots and tree limbs, should I just try to remove all the shadows or leave it alone?
3. should I add blur to the background or is it good enough?
4. because the picture of us looks like we have hard edges should I just blur lightly around the edges or mask us and then blur the mask to blend in more to the background?
5. Last question, because the picture as a whole is pretty light, should I still brighten up our faces just a little or leave them alone?

there has been no real edits to the photo except resize and saving as .jpg in srgb
sooc: cannon 70D F8, 1/160, ISO 100, 18-55@37mm

thank you for your thoughts.

(Download)

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

1> Probably perspective with you two dividing the horizon - first glance looked sloping to right, next glance to the left.
2 & 3 & 4> If it was me, I would remove all the tree branches (distraction) touching your heads and leave the rest alone. (May also correct your horizon perspective). The hard edges would then make it almost look like 3-D. I like it.
5> With all the shadowing, maybe just lightening your face a little because it has the most contrast. Or, leave alone - it is obvious you are outdoors, with the natural lighting "playing" with you both - and shadow still allows plenty of details.
BTW, a nice natural photo of you two - you look like you were made for each other.

Eric2018 Loc: Los Angeles, CA, USA

1. The horizon measures level to me. Either it's perspective or an optical illusion. There are plenty of things in the foreground to lead us astray. For example, both models' shoulders are tilted a little bit.
2. I don't have a problem with the shadows. I've seen much worse (as in some of my own efforts).
3. I never have decent results adding blur. And many times, the added blur looks, well, fake. You have a nice composition, the models are nicely framed by the nearer foliage, and the distant terrain adds depth. I would not try to add any artificial blur.
4. One person's "hard edges" are another's "sharpness." I don't see anything wrong with the "sharpness" in the image. The downloaded file doesn't allow for any further enlargement, so there could be some artifacts I can't see, but I like the definition of both models just fine.
5. Dodging your faces a little might work well.

All told, I think this is a nice image. The "defects" are minor, and in my view are mostly just "here is what I will do next time to make the image better." You captured the two models with relaxed, happy expressions, seemingly comfortable with each other, and expressing sincerity to the camera. I'd move on to the next opportunity instead of dwelling on the minor perceived problems with this one.

Thanks for sharing this image. The images, and your questions, are good guides for planning the image rather than "fixing" it after the fact. And, again, I don't see so much here that needs to be "fixed."

gator81 Loc: Jeffersonville Indiana

thank you for the info, I will use this information in future pictures. I really wanted to ask for additional thoughts as it helps me to be more aware the next time :)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

1.The image does look pretty level to me, it may be the position of the subjects that does throws you off a bit, just adjust by eye and feeling if you must, til you more satisfied.
2. Shadows are actually what you want and what you're looking for, because it gives depth to your images. It's the placement of shadows you have to be aware of, but in your image I don't think they are too much of a deterrent.
3. The subjects do separate rather nicely in your image, that I think a further adjustment of blurring the background would not help your image along any further by much!
4. I believe, soften the edges just a tad could add improvement to the overall appearance!
5.I do not have any problems with the brightness of the faces, they are well within the overall "comfort level" of the image!
Just my HOP

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Get over it. You are picking the fly s__t from the pepper. Its fine.

repleo Loc: Boston

I think it is fine. If you want to experiment, I would try cropping to a square or portrait (vertical) format or adding some vignette.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

speters' and repleo's comments are mine, as well. And the folks who mentioned slight lightening of shadows around the eyes. Plus I pm'd you a crop

It took a long time to see what maybe you're seeing as unlevel: the line of brighter green trees where meets the hazier, blueish. It's a very attractive portrait and I hope you've framed and hung on your wall!

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

My impression of your questions are that you are developing a more self-critical eye. Congratulate yourself, you are seeing the little refinements of the horizon, lighting, composition, noisy distractions from the subject(s). At this stage, technical refinements of this image will take it only so far. It's nice, don't get me wrong, but my impression is that you see more possibilities for your work. Moving past the 'snapshot' or 'grabshot' and aspiring to a more personal visual style, maybe you should grant yourself permission to spend more time on previsualizing and/or refining your execution while you're shooting. Have fun making variations, invent and discover more solutions as you shoot, different expressions, actions/poses, background, lighting, composition, etc..

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Best advice given here - look pass the small dip in the road and you see where you are going.

gator81 Loc: Jeffersonville Indiana

Thank you very much, I now need to put a different shirt on I think I popped a button from sticking my chest out so far in excitement :)
P.S.
My wife said thanks too

gator81 Loc: Jeffersonville Indiana

I think I will have to take a break for a couple of days, we just made it back from seeing my wife's doctor and I am so excited that the additional test show she does "NOT" have "cancer" :)

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

That definitely calls for some celebration - congratulations.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

It's a very nice image of the both of you.

gator81 Loc: Jeffersonville Indiana

thank you