Pice with the new 40d

[draw4u]

Here are a few pics that I took last night of my nephews daughter. I got the camera last week and this is the first time that I have EVER owned a camera like this and it is ALOT of fun!! I have a 28-135mm IS lens but I also picked up a 70-300mm IS lens this week and I was just playing with it last night and I was about 8-10 feet away from her on these. Still alot to learn but thought they turned out decent since she was just playing and since I am a newbie! :D These have not been edited at all, other than a slight crop. What would you do to make them better? Any tips are welcome!!

[Michael Bottoms]

Good start and welcome to the world of DSLR's... lol The first shot seems a little soft in the baby's face and eye contact would have helped. The horizon is also apparently crooked. These are small things though. The exposure seems good and the basic pose is good. The second is better IMO... but I personally like my subjects facing into the frame as opposed to out of it (usually anyways...) Again the exposure seems pretty good here. Thanks for sharing, and take my words with a grain of salt. If you like your shots, that's really all that matters. These are great for such a newbie! Thanks for sharing.

[draw4u]

Thanks Michael! I appreciate the input and I will DEFINITELY consider these in the future when I am taking more pics! I really enjoy taking pics and I have ALOT to learn and I know I will learn alot here from the more experienced people and I am ALWAYS open to constructive criticism and critiquing and I will never get mad about it! I want to do better and want to have better pics, especially of the family! Thanks again!

[cadred]

I'll echo Michael's statements, since his face is pointed down, his eyes are in shadow and hard to see. Eyes are usually the foundation of a great portrait. As far as the horizon, you can straighten it out is post (software) or make it more of an extreme angle to make it look intentional. Since these are calm shots, I would go for a straight horizon.

Overall though, it looks like you got more right than wrong. Perfect time of day, great setting, cooperative model, well exposed, and pretty sharp. Welcome to the club!

[draw4u]

Thanks Cadred! Like I said, I have alot to learn and when I was snapping pictures I wasn't even thinking about the horizon line or the shadow on her eyes but this makes complete sense, just like Michael saying it might be better to have her facing into the picture instead of out of it. Definitely great points that I never considered before but I will be thinking about them as I continue to shoot more! Thanks again!

[cadred]

Thanks Cadred! Like I said, I have alot to learn and when I was snapping pictures I wasn't even thinking about the horizon line or the shadow on her eyes but this makes complete sense, just like Michael saying it might be better to have her facing into the picture instead of out of it. Definitely great points that I never considered before but I will be thinking about them as I continue to shoot more! Thanks again!

Objective second opinions often help us notice things we wouldn't normally ourselves.

Sorry about the gender confusion, it's hard to tell with babies. If it helps my son has super curly hair and has been mistaken for a girl a few times :oops:

[sponserv]

I agree with the critiques but these are great first shots with your new toy. I love everything about the second shot. (So I guess I don't totally buy into the critiques.)

[draw4u]

Thanks all! Soccer season starts in 2 weeks and I hope I can get some great pics of my girls with the new camera! I am really enjoying it and it is addicting for me!

[hnsi]

+1 on all above critiques. Best thing is to shoot, shoot, shoot. I think you have a great start!

hnsi