Daughter Before and After - New to DSLR

This picture was taken about 1 1/2 years ago. I would appreciate any and all comments! I am new to DSLR and am trying to learn. I am also some what new with Photoshop and only dabble in it.

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I like the cropping in the photoshoped picture. I think the added contrast is just a hair too much.

the face looks a little soft. but the legs look good.

parks wrote in post #13939301
I like the cropping in the photoshoped picture. I think the added contrast is just a hair too much.

WolfAmongSheep wrote in post #13939305
the face looks a little soft. but the legs look good.

agree with both of these comments. It's easy to go overboard on the digital processing when you first start out. Always keep a copy of your original and refer back to it as a reference.

Were these shot in auto mode? If you go to Av mode you can select your focus point directly on the eye, which is where the focus should be. In Av mode you can try different apertures and the camera will take care of the other adjustments - so it's almost like auto mode. Read your manual for more detail. This will make a big difference in your photos.

nes_matt wrote in post #13942569
agree with both of these comments. It's easy to go overboard on the digital processing when you first start out. Always keep a copy of your original and refer back to it as a reference.

Were these shot in auto mode? If you go to Av mode you can select your focus point directly on the eye, which is where the focus should be. In Av mode you can try different apertures and the camera will take care of the other adjustments - so it's almost like auto mode. Read your manual for more detail. This will make a big difference in your photos.

Thank you for the advice. I did shoot it in auto mode on Canon 30D with a 75x300mm lens from a distance. I am still really new to dslr so I appreciate the comments and will try your suggestion.

I might suggest changing your focus point to the center one only (if you haven't already), as opposed to using multiple points. That way you decide where the focus will be, not the camera.

bwenning wrote in post #13942616
Thank you for the advice. I did shoot it in auto mode on Canon 30D with a 75x300mm lens from a distance. I am still really new to dslr so I appreciate the comments and will try your suggestion.

Np. Btw, when shooting people it is often best to shoot with the aperture wide open (smaller f#). This will narrow the depth of focus so the background becomes blurry(er) and makes the viewrer focus on the subject more. Not always what you want, but often works best.

Nothing wrong with shooting auto in general, btw. You just need to recognize it has limitations and is not as smart as you'd like.