my wife...

[schrackman]

I took this shot in Palos Verdes this weekend. I think it is perhaps one of the better photos I've taken of my wife, but not sure if I came in too close with the lens or if perhaps I should have zoomed out a little bit. What do you all think?

Canon DRebel, 1/400th, f/9.0

Ray

[schrackman]

Not offended at all, Penny. This is critique forum. I expect critique–good or bad!

You're right about the blowout, but understand this was shot in full sun and I couldn't really avoid it (although a different blouse might have helped). And, you're right about cutting off the feet...I should have had her feet on the edge of the rock, although it was a mean precipice and she was wearing sandals so it could have been a bit dangerous to have her do that.

Unfortunately this is the only "good" picture I took of her that day. This was pretty much a candid shot, so I guess if I'm gonna shoot my wife I should plan better for it. (ooh, that sounded bad...perhaps I should rather say "take my wife's picture", hehe).

Thanks for the input!

Ray

[Elysian]

Personally I think some images are allowed to have overexposed areas and that even a snapshot kind of image can be interesting. I don't even mind that the subject is in the center of the shot. We shouldn’t restrict ourselves with every rule in the book.
I think we're exaggerating if we also want to see her feet in a shot like this, because that would make it fake, I mean, how many people want to stand on the edge…
In this example it doesn’t bother me at all that those feet are missing, it comes with the situation.

I can understand why you like it Schrackman, its simplicity, the colors in the shot that match each other perfectly, the relaxed pose of your wife and her spontaneous smile and the low camera angle that give the image some feeling of ‘height’.
Yes, it’s a snapshot, but a good one in my opinion, even when it doesn’t always follow the ‘rules’ ;)

Well done.

[kamboura]

How about adding some fake clouds? Would that add a little more interest? I personaly like the shot, no issues with the feet cut off at all ! I just wish there was not that much shadows around the face... did you use a flash? would a flash even have helped here, or was she too far?

[kamboura]

How about adding some fake clouds? Would that add a little more interest? I personaly like the shot, no issues with the feet cut off at all ! I just wish there was not that much shadows around the face... did you use a flash? would a flash even have helped here, or was she too far?

[gahspidy]

I like the shot for the unusual angle and the clearness and colors. I did not notice the feet until Penny mentioned it, but as JoeD stated, I think it goes ok due to the angle. I would have liked it better if she wa not so centered in the frame, maybe off to the left a bit. This can easily be done with a crop. If you thought it would help as well. Clouds?? might be extra dimension, but I think I like the simplicity of this beautiful blue sky with the subject against it. And the tones and textures of the cliff add alot as well. Not bad

[schrackman]

Thanks JoeD and Gary, I appreciate the comments and you touched on the very reasons why I thought this was the best photo I've taken of my wife...unusual angle, saturation of colors, and the simplicity of the overall photo. Technically, I didn't have to touch this one in Photoshop, not even with sharpening, so I'm always elated when I take a photo like that (which is very rare! hehe).

As for the "fake" clouds, kamboura, I think what you meant was to mask out the existing background and merge into the photo a picture of a cloudy background. I didin't think of that because, as I stated above, how much I liked the simplicity of this photo. No doubt clouds would add another dimension to this image, but in my mind it seems it would be an unwarranted manipulation. But I appreciate your input anyways, so thanks!

Oh, and no, I didn't use any flash, just available light. I don't care much for the onboard flash of my DRebel, so I really don't use it at all except on occasion.

Ray

[another view]

I think it's a good simple shot (I'm in the simple = good in most cases group, btw). The low angle you were at and having her centered makes her look more (trying to think of the right word...) strong or powerful. Hope you understand what I mean, and the smile is great - not posed or a "say cheese" type of smile. Side lighting looks good too and I wouldn't add anything else to it. I see why you like it.

[Lava Lamp]

This image and the related discussion reminds me of that a photo doesn't have to be technically perfect for it to be meaninfful to us. Your wife looks happy and you are ina abeautiful place. Sure, it would be a better picture with "studio" lighting, but you may not have caught her expression.