Comments please - parental dispute

[enigmatic]

Once again, my wife and I share different views of this photo.

Whilst I acknowledge that the focus could be sharper, I actually quite like the "soft focus" look and also the "grain". My wife on the other hand says the photo doesn't look real - almost doll like.

The photo was taken indoors using available light. I was using my 10D set to ISO 400 using a 50mm lens f1.8.

http://images.fotopic.net/yfwb17.jpg

The image is a smaller version of the original (was 6.9mb RAW). I've only resized, sharpened and despeckled the image. For a better version, have a look at the gallery:

http://photosbychris.fotopic.net/c301581_13.html

Apart from getting a better focal point (hard with a 7 month old baby that has just learnt to sit up); what do you guys think of the image?

TIA.

Chris

[OviV]

Although you can never go wrong with a picture of your child, I find it a bit flat and dull. I think it can easily be improved with some levels adjustments and curves though.

Ovi

[thedude]

I don't like it.

I'm no pro, so take this with a grain of salt.

I think the purpose of portraits is to 'show' the person, normally that means showing enough of their face to be recognizable. You might be able to pick your kid out, but given this photograph, I certainly couldn't. Maybe a slightly lower angle so we could see more of his face?

Also, the colors seem pretty muted, maybe more saturation?

I like the grainy look, it works well in some instances.

My first baby is due in Nov. so I have been looking at everyone's pictures of kids for ideas, thanks and show more!

[enigmatic]

Thanks for the comments so far. I've adjusted the levels and curves and put another image up:

http://images.fotopic.net/yfw93f.jpg.

Photography really is a personal thing so I'm grateful for any input even if you say you don't like the shot.

This was one of a sequence where she was looking directly up at the camera.I kept shooting to see what happened and I happened to like this personally.

Cheers,

Chris

[thedude]

I like the colors in the second version better than the first. The red in his collar seems more natural.

I agree, much of photography seems so subjective. I'll have a picture that I LOVE, but my wife says; 'Oh...that's...ummm...NICE!'

lol

as long as you get satisfaction from the pictures, I'll say that you've done your job as a hobbyist!