Do you like this one?

[caroleigh]

As I posted the other night I am JSO. I got some really awesome advice, thank you all so much! I can't wait for baseball to start so I can use all that advice I was given!
I wanted to show this... to see if anyone else likes it. I know it's not an action shot... but...
This is my son before the game , for the pledge of allegiance.
This is SOOC except crop and web sharpen.
It was pretty sharp sooc ,probably the sharpest pic I have ever gotten... should I have not sharpened?
Is it properly focused? I know some of the white is blown but I still seem to like it. Anyone else?
http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/69_143/67_230/Image2.jpg

[PhotoJourno]

Hi, I think this photo has a more sentimental value than other technical aspects.

Probably stepping back just a bit might have helped get more of your son into the composition, the missing top of the hair, and the right arm. Also, the helmet is not complete.

So the question I ask myself when studying and evaluating my own photos, is:

- What am I first looking at in this picture? What is the subject?
- Does the composition lead me directly to the point of interest?

It is usually easier to crop the photo just a bit (10-20%) to fine tune the photo, but once the pic is way too close, then there is no way to zoom out in the computer.
Also, I have made a personal rule to avoid the back of the neck. It does not tell me anything about the subject.

From my experience, I would guess -I could be dead wrong- that during the pledge of allegiance you liked how he looked, and rushed to take a photo that came out nice, but could have been better. If this was the case, and it were me, I'd make it a point to practice these shots.

Something I'd like to contribute, is that before I go photograph any sport, I usually like to browse the web for about 30mins, looking at images of that very sport (ESPN, IS, etc). This helps me see some of the work of the real pros, and once in the field, I might remember one or two compositions, that are similar to the ones I had seen before.

Anyhow, I am struggling to write up my comments, as I am a praiser rather than a pointer fingerer. ;)

Hope some of this made sense. :)

[caroleigh]

Hello there, and thank you for your observation. The original shows his full body, I cropped this way, trying to give it a little composition, I see it didn't work. There are kids on both sides of him so I was trying to keep them out. Let me see if I can dig up the original and see if I can crop differently and see if it works any better? I figured it would bore others since they don't know what he is doing.

-edit- nope, just dug up the original, no other crop will work, except I can get all of his head in the pic. Coach is on one side and another kid on the other, if I put any more of the helmet in I get the other kid in the pic too. Oh well.

[PhotoJourno]

Don't let my opinion put you down though, this happens to me often (taking a photo that later ends up not to work as I had first envisioned it), and the only solution I have found so far, is to simply take multiple frames at the spot. Don't be content with just a single shot. Take six or seven or ten, but all in different angles, from the sides, high, low, close up, far away, etc.

One thing that any experienced photographer will advice, is to try as hard as you can to make the composition (to compose) the image in the viewfinder. Cropping works as a mean of fine tunning, but not as means of composing the shot.

I hope you did not think I was being negative about the photo.

Thanks for sharing,

[caroleigh]

Absolutely not.... I appreciate everyones advice and everyones help. I have so much to learn and appreciate you taking the time to tell me your thoughts. I prefer the honesty or I will never learn!
I am struggling with a lot of things (white balance- I have always used auto, I am about to get a grey card and learn custom, I have major focus issues and major underexposing issues and so far I have not had the greatest composition eye).

You are so right, I have been replying on cropping for my composition, I will very much admit this. Your advice has helped me and I will remember this next time I shoot!!