Don't Cry...Smile, Lil' Girl

[Lotto]

Greeting. First post here. Testing my beginner's lens, the Canon Nifty Fifty, and learning to take better portrait pictures.

Spending a Sunday afternoon with my little one, who enjoys being photogarahed, is priceless. Here are couple images of the thousand faces she had during the day. Your comments welcome.


http://home.pacbell.net/coolbit/IMG_1421.jpg


http://home.pacbell.net/coolbit/IMG_1479.jpg

[mal]

Nice colors, nice lighting. Only suggestion I have is try to use the rule of thirds. That would make the pictures even more appealing.

[yeah1000]

rule of the thirds?

[smittymike19]

The Rule of Thirds.
One of the most popular 'rules' in photography is the Rule Of Thirds. It is also popular amongst artists. It works like this:
Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically (picture a tic tac toe board). You place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect.
As well as using the intersections you can arrange areas into bands occupying a third or place things along the imaginary lines. As you can see it is fairly simple to implement. Good places to put things; third of the way up, third of the way in from the left , you get the idea. BAd places to put things; right in the middle, right at the top, right at the bottom, away in the corner.

Using the Rule of Thirds helps produce nicely balanced easy on the eye pictures. Also, as you have to position things relative to the edges of the frame it helps get rid of ' tiny subject surrounded by vast empty space' syndrome.
One last thing about the Rule of Thirds for the time being. Once you have got the hang of the Rule of Thirds you will very quickly want to break it ! This is fine. These 'rules' are best used as guidelines and if you can create a better image by bending or ignoring rules then fire away.

The Rule of Thirds is fairly structured but there are a great many methods you can employ which rely on your ability to 'see' things and incorporate them into your composition.

[exposingmyself]

i looooove the first one. great expression! makes me wanna cry along with her.:(

[hollow]

In close-up portraits you can forgot about the rule of thirds ! ;)
Great photos ! :)

[mal]

In close-up portraits you can forgot about the rule of thirds ! ;)
Great photos ! :)

I don't agree. A close up portrait can always be improved upon, and the rule of thirds is just one technique. If the subject is centered in the photograph it takes away from it in most cases.

[Croasdail]

Hey, I am only now returning to photography after a long hiatus and everything I learned in school was a long time ago so take my opinion with a grain of salt. But to my interpretation of the rule of thirds, the first image does comply with the her face occupying the center third being framed by her hair. And to me, the first holds your attention far longer then the second. The whole Idea is to pull the viewer in and make them as a question... unfortunately the second doesn't do that... but she is a cutie.

[CappuccinoDavid]

Great pix, the rule has been broken. That is what makes it work...

[pradeep1]

Wonderfully charming. :)

[cmM]

photography is art
There are no rules in art, just guidelines!
If you can express what you want through the shot, then you've succeeded. That's all that counts.

I love these shots.