picture of my new son

[thedude]

Hi guys!

I'm new to photography. I got into it initially because my wife was pregnant and I wanted to be able to take beautiful pictures of my children. I bought the drebel in July and have been reading everything related to photography and looking at photographs to get as good as I can.
Since buying my camera, I have literally taken thousands of pictures. I can count on 1 hand the ones I really like.

I would like some objective opinions on a photograph I took of my newborn son. I really love the photo, and regardless of what is said, I will still love the photo. However, I think that in order to grow as an artist I need to hear some constructive criticism. Thanks in advance for the help and don't worry about offending me!

Canon Digital Rebel
canon 50mm 1.8
ISO 400
1/80
f3.5

http://www.lomah.net/cblack/img/mason/mason2.jpg

[Meerkat17]

Its cute, just the way a new-born baby should look - love how he has his hands. :D

If I have one criticism to make its the thumb/finger in the upper-left which needs to be cloned out.

Regards
David

[thedude]

LOL! I never noticed it before!

Funny how your brain will overlook something if you have a dominant subject in the frame! I'll clone it out and post that image.

Thanks

[nighthawk]

I like the shot, but I think I'd crop in a little closer and do something with all the white (increase contrast and lower the brightness perhaps) but that gets tricky with fleshtones. The whites just seem a little "blown out" to me especially in the blanket in the upper left background and the lower right.

[Belmondo]

Allow me to say that I think the picture is fine just the way it is.

'Little Dude' is a very beautiful baby, and this is a great photo of him. We're creating memories here, and you've done that beautifully.

Congratulations.


Tom.

[Rilmas]

I personally, think the picture is awesome!! I'd be very happy with it if I was the one who took it.

Congrats on your new arrival. Your son is absolutely beautiful!! You must be very proud of him. :)

[sameerb]

First of all let me congratulate you on arrival of your son :D
he is cute 8)

About photo i would say i really liked it
what i like most about this picture is his hand position

[evidence tech]

Its perfection!!!! Congrats on such a healthy beautiful son.

[thedude]

thanks for the comments.

I tried cropping to improve composition and to remove the finger in the upper left.
I attempted to adjust the contrast to tone down the white of the blanket, but everything looked too funny. I'm still learning how to adjust photographs with an editor.

How's this?

http://www.lomah.net/cblack/img/mason/mason2test.jpg

[dewmuw]

Dude - you not only created a beautiful son you also created a beautiful photo. Believe me you'll take many more as the little guy grows up too!

[mal]

Adorable little dude. I think the picture looks better the second time around without the finger. I kind of like the brightness in the picture, adds a sense of innocence.

[sheye]

The picture and the baby are both absolutely gorgeous...Congratulations!

[Jyoti]

That's a bonnie baby! And a great shot. But did you pose the hands like that or did the lad decide to do a 'hmmmmm... let me think' pose himself? :D

[mr.photoguy]

I like it.

Maybe crank up the DOF a bit so those cute little fingers can be sharper.

[NJPDDC]

Special picture of a beautiful baby. Posed or not, the outcome will be the same for Mom, Dad and Grandparents. Happy New Year and continued success with your photo skills.