Natural light, still trying...

MaineMom

I am a studio photograher with no studio. At least not right now anyway, so i am trying to work on some other technique in my down time. What do you think?

Thanks,
~Jayne

Travis

It looks like you are making the adjustment pretty well. I like the pose and composition. It looks to me like there needs to be a bit more fill. The brightness of the background in relation to the subject detracts from the image a little but overall it is a good capture.

MaineMom

Darkened the background a bit.
I did this very quickly with PSE. I realize there is a halo around his poor little head, but I see what you mean regarding the bright background.
Thank you!
~Jayne

Agnieszka

I agree, I think you want to get some of the background back (image > adjustments > shadow/highlight & slide the highlight amount slider to the right) ... and maybe ad some color? (I might have done too much)

Cute kid & good pose! )

photogmomma

Very nice! I have been looking at it to try to figure out what bugs me, though. I'm thinking that if you have a fill flash (dial back by a stop or two or whatever looks good to you) and try it again. I think it would fill his eyes in better and give them even more sparkle. (What a cutie, BTW!)

A GREAT book to check out is a book by Douglas Box on Natural Light Photography. This shot is a perfect example of something he talks about to get that nice modeling in the face. I'm not a big fan of the photos he uses, but the techniques have really made a HUGE difference for me!

Overall, though, a VERY nice job!

MaineMom

Thanks!
Thank you for all of your imput! I will check out that book you mentioned.
The cutie pie is my son, I have taken so many photos of him that whenever I call his name he "poses and smiles" on command. I guess I'd better give him a break or I'll never get a genuine smile again!

Thanks again!!
~Jayne