need help with sharpness and "pop"

Leggy

I would like some input. I am just starting off and using a D100 in RAW. I beleive I am in the range of having correct exposure, am not using "reposturize" or whatever for .jpeg but still am having a hard time getting colors to pop and eliminating grain. Please help!:dunno
This shot obviously needs some cropping and touch up (glare in artwork, mom's hand shadow on wall). I'm looking for help specifically with color, punch and grain.
Thank you!!!

Scott_Quier

First - Welcome. You're going to love it here.

This image is too small for any work to be meaningful. Do you have a larger version hosted somewhere?

Have you looked at the tutorials? Take a look at the menu above for a start in the right direction. There's information in the tutorials covering pop and other things.

Have you looked around in the "Finishing School" forum for hints and clues?

jeffreaux2

I wouldn't say that what you are asking is impossible, but I do believe you would be better served with a different starting point.
If a reshoot is possible.....

1- ask mom to get behind the camera and flash to get Babie's attention.

2- Remove the book from the table.

3- get in a little closer

4- expose for the baby

rwdfresno

Hello there welcome to Dgrin. It looks like you have a good starting point with a willing victim . I think better exposure would probably get you a long way towards many of the things that you are lookng for. The exposure feels about a full stop or more under exposed. I think a re-shoot as suggested above is a good idea to get a good starting point for constructive critque. When you post, try a bit bigger image with EXIF.

bauerman

Was this shot with the pop up flash on your camera? It looks like you were under-powered from a flash standpoint for this subject matter. I would really recommend getting a separate strobe for your camera - to get more flash power.

Fill the frame with your subject - there is too much going on in this shot - too many other things to draw the viewers eye away from what I can only assume is the main subject - the child. Get the baby to take up most of the frame and things will work out better.

Welcome to the forum and look forward to more of your work being posted.

DavidTO

This is far from perfect, but are you going for something like this?