Well, tell me what you think

I've had my DSLR for 3 weeks now. I am here to learn, and reading only does so much without getting my hands dirty so to speak. I'm wide open to constructive criticism. Thanks in advance!

If you want the original size use this link. Click on the magnifying glass at the bottom right of the image.

http://s268.photobucke​t.com …2620f.jpg.html?​sort=3&o=0

Congrats on getting a DSLR....why the Instagram treatment on the photo?

I am also learning how to edit my photos. After the camera the funds were short so I am rocking out with the GIMP. I didn't think to post the original, my wife wanted that one done with a black and white ish theme.

Would be better if her face wasn't in the shadows.

SmokeySiFy wrote in post #15929617
Would be better if her face wasn't in the shadows.

Thanks! This photo wasn't planned by a long shot, she was standing on the beach one second, the next it was a full blown sprint and then she was airborne! I was up past my knees in the water myself (we were between the beach and a sand bar, no waves) so didn't have much time to react.

Is there any tips for helping with the shadows here or in this case is it a click and pray type moment?

Congrats on the DSLR. Depending on what you are wanting to do from here you may have little or a lot of work to do.

You are on the right track by practicing, reading, and absorbing as much info as you can. Practice, practice, practice and you'll get better.

The little girl is a cutie and looks like she is having a blast. The image is a great snapshot that you guys will treasure.

Thanks for the kind words. I originally made the purchase because I was looking over the pictures I have taken of my daughter since birth. About 6k in all! But other than a few pro photo shoots, they were all cell phone pictures, and while some of them were decent at best (IQ wise) the others were grainy, blury, noisy, dark, or a combination of all the above!

With that being said, I keep learning about new techniques and keep wanting to try new things. I know the gear doesn't make the picture, but I am on my 3rd camera bag in 3 weeks because they just seem to shrink on me!

Once again, thanks to everyone who has commented, it really means a lot to me!

The horizon is not level. The subject is too dark (in shadows). I like the action aspect to this.

The contrast is way too low. Here is a quick curves adjust to bring up contrast on her and hold back the water and sky.

That really does make a big difference! I have Scarab now but am saving up for Lightroom4. Thanks for showing me that!

You should get your hands dirty in order to get better shots It's all about trial and error if you ask me.

Qbx wrote in post #15931276
The contrast is way too low. Here is a quick curves adjust to bring up contrast on her and hold back the water and sky.

This created a halo.

CoJM wrote in post #15935350
This created a halo.

Well, she's an angel I guess.
But of course you are correct. It was just a quick fix. If I had adjusted the whole image and not just her the halo would not be there.